What Is Cross-Breeding? - Top 10 Cross-Breeding Dogs
Cross-breed dogs are quickly becoming some of the most popular options for dog owners across the world. If you’re considering choosing a cross-breed dog this guide will help you weigh up the pros and cons. We’ve also listed 10 of the most popular cross-breeding dogs.
What Is Cross-Breeding?
Cross-Breeding is when two different breeds are bred together. One of the most popular cross-breeding examples is a Labradoodle which is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle.
Advantages of Cross-Breeding
Cross-breeding can produce unique dogs. Combining two different breeds means there’s no certainty as to which genetics the puppies will inherit. This means even puppies from the same litter can look very different from each other.
Cross-breed dogs make great pets. With socialisation and training cross-breed dogs make wonderful pets.
Crossbred dogs are less likely to suffer from congenital issues. This is a big problem for many purebred dogs but there is less risk of genetic issues being passed down to cross-breed dogs, particularly when only one parent has the genetic problem.
Disadvantages of Cross-Breeding
Less predictable than purebred. One of the difficulties of cross-breed dogs is that there is no way to predict the exact personality a cross of the two different dogs may have.
Difficult to determine the adult size. It can be difficult to know just how big a cross-breed dog is going to get. The parent dogs should give an indication of the size, especially if the parents are similar in size to each other, but when the two parents are completely different sizes there’s no way of telling how big the puppies are going to grow.
Risk of health issues. There is still a high risk of congenital health issues, particularly if both parents are carriers of the same genetic problems.
What Is The Difference Between Selective Breeding And Cross-Breeding?
Selective breeding is when the parents have been specifically chosen for certain characteristics they have in the hope that these desirable characteristics are inherited by the puppies. In dogs, this could mean breeding for a particular temperament or a particular physique.
Cross-Breeding dogs is when the parents are two unrelated breeds and they are chosen in the hope the offspring will inherit desirable characteristics from the two individuals. When cross-breeding two purebred parents the outcome will be more predictable than when cross-breeding two non-purebred parents.
How Does Selective Breeding Work?
Selective breeding works by choosing parent dogs that have particular characteristics. Choosing the two parent dogs allows breeders to produce purebred puppies and is a way to fix genetic traits, remove certain traits, or reinforce a particular skill.
The goals of selective breeding can be short or long term and the breeding technique can be repeated over generations. Each litter, therefore, should be a step towards the goal.
Selective breeding has many advantages but the most prominent use in dogs is to specialise dogs for a specific task such as hunting, herding, or police work. For example, Border Collies have been bred selectively so they excel at herding sheep.
One of the potential problems with selective breeding is that it often results in a dog population with similar genetics, this means the dogs will share the same strengths but also the same weaknesses. Selective breeding may also involve breeding closely related individuals. Dogs that have been inbred are more likely to suffer from genetic conditions.
After generations of selective breeding, the offspring will be almost identical and the dog is considered purebred, an example of a purebred dog is the Labrador Retriever.
Most Popular Cross-Breed Dogs
1. Labradoodle
Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) - JD
A cross between the Labradoodle and the Poodle, the Labradoodle is a popular cross-breed in the UK. Labradoodles are known for being loving, playful, and energetic. They are able to learn tricks and commands easily and tend to be eager to please. Labradoodles can vary in size and temperament but their qualities usually make them excellent for first-time owners.
Height: 30-71cm
Size: Large
Character: Affectionate, playful, intelligent
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
2. Cockapoo
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) - Luke Truicko
Cockapoos are a cross between Poodles and Cocker Spaniels. They are one of the most popular crossbreed dogs and were also one of the first cross-breeds. Cockapoos can vary in size depending on the parent dogs but they are known for being loyal, playful, and easy to train dogs. Cockapoos love nothing more than to be side by side with their human family.
Height: 25-28cm
Size: Small/ Medium
Character: Playful, social, intelligent
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
3. Sprocker Spaniel
Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) - Lars Plougmann
Sprocker Spaniels are a cross between the Springer Spaniel and Cocker Spaniel. They are known for being family-oriented, active, and intelligent. Sprockers love to roam, they need a lot of space and exercise each day. Sprockers can inherit their looks and temperament from both parents so each individual can vary but overall they tend to be athletic and well proportioned.
Height: 35.5 - 50cm
Size: Medium
Character: Loyal, energetic, social
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
4. Goldendoodle
Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) - Joab Woodger-Smith
The Goldendoodle is a cross-breed of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. They are social, outgoing, and loyal dogs that are known for being friends with everyone they meet. Goldendoodles can vary in appearance and size but no matter how they look, these dogs are known for being loyal and eager to please.
Height: 56-66cm
Size: Large
Character: Friendly, loving, adaptable
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
5. Springador
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The Springador is a cross-breed of the Labrador Retriever and the English Springer Spaniel. They are often medium in size and are known for being lively, playful, and easy to train. The Springador makes a fantastic companion as they have a kind temperament and they get along well with everyone, including children.
Height: 46-61cm
Size: Medium
Character: Alert, playful, energetic
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
6. Cavachon
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) - Corey Seeman
A cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise, the Cavachon is an adorable, loving, and extremely popular mixed breed dog. The Cavachons small size makes them excellent lap dogs and ideal for first-time owners. These dogs stay puppy-like in their appearance and they love to be around people.
Height: 31-33cm
Size: Small
Character: Playful, loving, intelligent
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
7. Cavapoo
Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) - Aivi1987
Cavapoos are a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle. The Cavapoo is known for being incredibly friendly and sweet-natured, they will make friends with absolutely everyone. These small dogs thrive on human company, they are eager to please and hate to be left alone.
Height: 33-45cm
Size: Small
Character: Friendly, playful, social
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
8. Puggle
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The Puggle is a pug and beagle cross. This cross-breed is adorable and is known for remaining puppy-like well into their adult years. Puggles are small in size and have lively natures. They are playful, sociable, and great with children. Puggles are also highly adaptable so they can fit in well with most lifestyles.
Height: 20-38cm
Size: Small
Character: Extroverted, intelligent, adaptable
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
9. Jackapoo
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A cross between a Jack Russell and a Poodle, the Jackapoo is a lively, loving, and playful dog. This cross tends to produce highly intelligent, mischievous, and occasionally stubborn dogs. Jackapoos are a good choice for first-time owners but they do need a lot of exercise and like to have lots of open space to run around and play.
Height: 25-38cm
Size: Small
Character: Curious, energetic, affectionate
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years
10. Sprollie
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The Sprollie is a Springer Spaniel cross Border Collie. These dogs have lots of energy and a strong desire to work. Sprollies are popular agility dogs as they are eager to please and like to have something to do. Sprollies are lively, friendly, and devoted.
Height: 46-56cm
Size: Medium
Character: Intelligent, social, lively
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Found The Dog For You?
Have you found your new favourite cross-breed? There are pros and cons to choosing cross-breed dogs but overall they make fantastic pets that give owners the best of both worlds.
Use Puppies to help you find a healthy puppy from a reputable breeder. Whilst you are looking for the perfect puppy for you and your family, read our cost of dog ownership report to get an idea of how much you will be spending to keep your furry friend happy and healthy.
