No such thing as a mixed breed?

[Husky15]

why yes it would. Only untill they breed consistently same results can they be considered a breed of their own.

Until they can breed a "Labradoodle" to a "Labradoodle" and get almost an identical litter of puppies, it will never be a breed. There won't be a standard for the breed to be bred to.

Exactly.

And there are such things as mixed breeds. I mean, take my dog for instance, she is a Chihuahua/Pekingese, but that doesn't make her a breed of her own. Although I can see where you're coming from.

Every breed originated from breeding a number of breeds together. Take the Doberman for example. Here is some information taken from Dogs Annual;

The Doberman Pinscher takes its name from its creator, Louis Dobermann, who was a tax collector and dog warden in Germany. Not being engaged in the most popular of occupations, Dobermann wanted a dog that would be protective, alert and agile so he blended several breeds to achieve his ideal. Though the exact breeds used will never be known, it is believed the German Pinscher, Rottweiler, Manchester Terrier and Greyhound went into the makeup of the Dobe. The breed was accepted for registration by the German Kennel Club in 1900. Internationally known as a security dog, the breed made a name for itself during World War II for its bravery under fire.

Another example is the Toller. Also taken from Dogs Annual;

According to legend, James Allen of Melbourne, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, created the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever in about 1860 by blending such breeds as the Irish Setter, Cocker Spaniel, and Labrador and Flat-coat Retrievers. The result was a medium-sized compact dog with a water-resistant double coat and minimal white markings on feet, face and chest. But appearance was not his uppermost concern. He was primarily interested in creating a breed that excelled in intelligence, trainability, retrieving and tolling - attracting game birds within shooting range by playing on their curiosity. Anyone who's had the privilege of associating with a Toller knows that he succeeded admirably on all counts.

But sometimes I sit down and think, Wouldn't there had to have been an original pure-bred dog to start it all?

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

I agree with the other posts above mine. Yes, while all breeds started out as mixes, unlike the Labradoodle, they were being bred for a purpose and they didn't just keep breeding two or more different breeds to eachother constantly. Most Labradoodle breeders take a Lab and a Poodle and call it a Labradoodle. That is not breeding true. As mentioned in the Toller quote in the post above mine, Tollers were originally made up of quite a few breeds. However, early Toller breeders took a few pups out of a mixed litter or two and bred them together to create more dogs with the characteristics they desired. So, eventually Tollers were being bred to other Tollers over and over again - they were being bred true and eventually were able to have a standard and were able to be called a purebred dog, as they were bred pure and true throughout the years. Hopefully that made sense. I tried to word myself as best as possible.

[Husky15]

I agree with the other posts above mine. Yes, while all breeds started out as mixes, unlike the Labradoodle, they were being bred for a purpose and they didn't just keep breeding two or more different breeds to eachother constantly. Most Labradoodle breeders take a Lab and a Poodle and call it a Labradoodle. That is not breeding true. As mentioned in the Toller quote in the post above mine, Tollers were originally made up of quite a few breeds. However, early Toller breeders took a few pups out of a mixed litter or two and bred them together to create more dogs with the characteristics they desired. So, eventually Tollers were being bred to other Tollers over and over again - they were being bred true and eventually were able to have a standard and were able to be called a purebred dog, as they were bred pure and true throughout the years. Hopefully that made sense. I tried to word myself as best as possible.

You definitely made sense to me. You are right, they were bred true. Not like today where they take two breeds, give them a cutesy name which is a mix of both breed names and say they're a breed of their own to make more money. And also, breeds that were made back then were not given a cutesy name mixed together by all breed names, they were given an actual name. Like the Doberman, which was named after its creator.

[Flatcoatluver]

Everyone raises very good points. I honestly don't understand some of the designer "breeds" purpose. What purpose would a puggle be besides being a good family dog, which you can find a great family dog at your local humane socity. Why are puggle so over priced? Is it because their cute? Wouldn't they have some of their worse health problems. Another thing I have been thinking about is this:

Goldendoodle.
Golden+poodle...
Where to they get the d from? It should be called goldenpoodle, but I guess it doesn't have a "ring" to it.

[applesmom]

This is a thought provoking question; no doubt about it.

Not too long ago during one of my sleepless nights I came across this series of articles that relates to many of the questions that have come up here.
The author was trying to develop a strain of naturally short tailed boxers and he crossed them with Cardigan Welsh Corgis to do it.

Though I certainly don't agree with what he's doing, I found the reasoning and the results fascinating. The insights into what it actually takes to develop one breed by mixing just two breeds is mind boggling. Just think what it would have taken to develop many of the breeds that are in existence today.

Here's the link! You don't have to be a student of canine genetics to understand it.

Genetics and Cross breeding

[junescrater716]

That is sooo interesting!!!!