Special to the Star-Herald
Love is in the air! Happy Valentine’s Day! Do you tell your pets that you love them? Some people do and some people don’t.
I tell my pets often and show them in many different ways. I cringe at the phrase “it is just an animal.” These are living creatures with feelings and thoughts. My pets all love me back; I would argue that point with anyone.
I am sure you have all heard of the new ‘designer dogs,’ Labradoodle, Puggle, Goldendoodle, etc. Somewhere along the way, someone figured if they bred two pure-bred dogs they would get something awesome. I hate to tell you, these offspring are what we call ‘mutts,’ ‘all Americans’ and ‘Heinz 57.’ Not that there is anything wrong with a mutt or mixed breed; mine are all mixes and wonderful dogs. What bothers me most about these designer breeds is the prices breeders are charging. It’s outrageous. Breeders of these ‘designer dogs’ cannot guarantee that just because a poodle is bred into the dog that it will not shed or be hypoallergenic. What if you get the worse end of what the breed has to offer instead of the better? Bad hips from the Golden Retriever or the eye problems of a Pug? All that I caution is ‘buyer beware!’
Here are some designer breeds:
• Collie + Lhaso Apso = Collapso, a dog that folds up for easy transport;
• Pointer + Setter = Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet;
• Pekingnese + Lhaso Apso = Peekasso, an abstract dog;
• Irish Water Spanial + English Springer Spaniel = Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle;
• Terrier + Bulldog = Terribull, a dog that makes awful mistakes; and
• Malamut + Pointer = Moot Point, owned by . . . oh, well, it doesn’t matter anyway.
“We caution people to be very careful,” said Daisy Okas, vice president of communications at the American Kennel Club. “There are a lot of people looking to capitalize” on a hot trend. “These are not purebred dogs. People are paying thousands of dollars for mixed-breed dogs. You could get a mixed-breed dog at any shelter or pound.”
“Some people who pay big bucks for a designer puppy will be tempted to breed that dog to recoup their purchase price, and maybe even make a profit. They’ll be tempted to skip the health tests, which would reduce or even wipe out the profit, depending on the size of the litter,” said Mary F. Burkovich breeder of Labradoodles.
Again, buyer beware. Do your homework and remember, there are many wonderful dogs waiting for homes at the Central Aroostook Humane Society. Also a point to remember, all puppies/kittens are cute.
Please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society on Feb. 16 for Story Time with the Animals. We offer free a story about animals, a snack and a visit with the animals. Great fun for all.
Please have your pets spayed or neutered.
