Great minds think alike

Hello Dogs Today,

I was wondering if any of your lovely readers could point me towards a forum that will be welcoming to an ethical cross-breeder? I am an occasional breeder, who health tests (hip scores, patellae check, eye tests, DNA tests, the full works, not a simple vet check), takes great care over my dogs and pups (for life), vets homes very carefully, and puts heart, soul and mind into producing sound, healthy dogs of great temperament. But because I cross-breed, I am automatically deemed irresponsible.

I would like a forum I can belong to, chat about dogs, and not get attacked by folk who argue the only good breeder is a show breeder and that all "designer dogs" are bred for profit by unscrupulous individuals who lie about the existence of hybrid vigour in order to dupe unsuspecting members of the public into buying dogs who will naturally inherit the worst of both breeds (including the health issues of both, yes even the recessives not common to both breeds!).

Really hoping someone can help!

Dogs Today reader, by email

Searching for a reputable breeder

Firstly I'd like to say what a lovely photograph you have of a Pointer on the cover of your May issue. It put a lump in my throat as it is the spitting image of my Bronte, an English Pointer who sadly died a few years ago.

I wonder if you can help me, but I'm looking for a reputable breeder of Poodle-collie cross and wondered if you know of any especially in the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire/Warwickshire area?

Suzanne Wynn, by email

Cross examining

I was wondering what others think about the implications of crossbreeds? Unfortunately when you cross two breeds, which seems to be the fashion nowadays, you effectively make a new breed. We did it to open up the gene pool for Berger Picards by crossing them with Greyhounds, as we have been trying to re-establish the breed for a long time now, but I will admit I opened up a bit of a Pandora's box like the chap who started Labradoodles has already said.

I only bred two litters, just to get breeding stock for the Picard breeding programme. I have now stopped it, as it didn’t solve our problems, because as soon as we bred back to the Picards, the problems came back as quick as they went away.

The Picardy Lurcher is a lovely healthy good-looking dog. The trouble is, although both the Picard and Greyhound are steady gentle dogs and both make good pets, as do Lurchers, once you cross these two breeds it seems to really fire up the working instinct (prey drive). In the offspring you get the intelligence of the Picard combined with the speed of the Greyhound. This is fine in an experienced working home and the cross is held in high esteem by people who are working them. Mine are only pets, but I am very experienced with dogs and originate from working stock myself you could say, so understand the mind of a working dog.

My point is the Picardy Lurcher is sound but it does have such a high prey drive it truly needs to only go to a working home and even then to experienced owners only. Although I was involved in the formation of this cross I do not wish it to become popular. From experience I believe we should leave pedigree breeds alone; we have enough breeds already. I would wish to inform others of the pitfalls of crossing two breeds.

Has anyone else come up against similar obstacles when crossing breeds? The Berger Picard is such a lovely breed and it would be a shame if it were lost. I should add that I have experienced both sides of the argument and am an accredited pet care professional, I just do not want to lose this breed and would love to know others’ comments.

Shirley Hitchman, by email