DESIGNER DOGS

Q. What do you get when you cross a chook with a cow?
A. Roost beef!

That was pretty bad. Let's try another one.

Q. What do you get when you cross a Labrador with a Poodle?
A. A Labradoodle!

Okay, that's only a marginal improvement on the first joke; but believe it or not, the Labradoodle is a genuine crossbreed - and it's the crossbreed spearheading the 'designer dog' craze which is currently sweeping the world.

Yes, the Labradoodle has a funny name but this particular hybrid is not a joke, nor is it likely to be a just passing fad. These couture canines weren't created to satisfy the likes of Paris Hilton and other socialites with stronger feelings for their Louis Vuitton dog-carrier than their actual dog.

Labradoodles originated in Australia in the 1970s when Guide Dogs Victoria received a request for a low allergy guide dog. The Poodle was the natural choice to cross with the Labrador, as the breed is known for having low-shedding, hypoallergenic traits. After the pups started appearing in public, Labradoodle fever spread like wildfire as people discovered these irresistibly boisterous, charismatic, and shaggy-coated canines.

The Labradoodle is joined in the exclusive 'designer dog' category (not to be confused with the 'mongrel/mutt' category) by the Yorkipoo (Yorkshire Terrier meets Poodle), Cockapoo (Cockerspaniel meets Poodle) and Schnoodle (Schnauzer meets yet another lucky Poodle).

So, how much is that Schnoodle in the window? The one with the non-shedding coat? Schnoodles start at about $350, and can cost as much as $4000. And Labradoodles are even more expensive, with prices starting at around $895.

Desperate for a designer dog, but can't afford to buy one? Don't panic. You've got a long time to can save up. Designer dog breeders around the world report long waiting lists of anywhere from a few months to a more than a year depending on your specific criteria, and of course, Mother Nature.

So, where will the designer dog craze go from here?

Perhaps as people become aware that they can create a dog to suit their lifestyle, new hybrids will emerge. (Poo poo to the Poodle for those without allergies!) Take for example, the single woman living alone. She wants a good guard dog for protection, but she also wants a toy dog that she can pamper and play with. Bulldog meets Shih Tzu perhaps?

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