The Labradoodle, a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, was the most popular “designer dog” breed in the United States until the Puggle burst onto the hybrid dog scene in 2005. The goal of this breed mix is to retain the intelligence and non-shedding coat of the Poodle, along with the loyalty, lovability, and cheerful high energy of the Labrador.

Labradoodles were originally developed in Australia in the 1970s when the Guide Dogs Victoria tried to breed a low-allergy guide dog. Their breeding program produced inconsistent results, and the project was largely abandoned. Don Evans, who experimented with cross-breeding dogs on his Northern Victoria dog farm, is credited with continuing the experiment and producing several second and third generation Labradoodles from which other breeders continued to develop the breed.

Today’s Australian Labradoodle is different from the early crosses in that it doesn’t limit parentage to strictly the Labrador Retrieve and Poodle. Australian Labradoodles may also have Irish Water Spaniels, English and American Cocker Spaniels, and Curly Coated Retrievers among their ancestors. An ancestral mix of temperament, easy trainability, non-shedding coat, and sturdy body type is the common goal of breeders. Australian Labradoodles can have one of two coat types; wool and fleece. The wool coat is completely free of shedding, while some fleece-coated dogs may exhibit very slight shedding.

There is a movement among some breeders to block the Labradoodle from becoming a recognized breed. Labradors are genetically prone to weak hips, and it is believed these types of problems will continue to manifest in the Labradoodle. Neither the Labrador Retriever Club nor the Poodle Club of America recognize the Labradoodle, and both have issued statements against the breeding.

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The Puggle is a dog that is a cross between Pug and Beagle parents. Thanks to a major U.S. media frenzy in late 2005, the Puggle is currently one of the most popular breeds of “designer dogs” in the United States. The frenzy was fueled by the dogs’ appearances on popular morning TV shows, a front page article in the New York Post, and celebrity owners such as James Gandofini and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Puggles generally weigh 20-25 pounds and measure 13-15 inches at the shoulder. Most Puggles are fawn in color with black wrinkled masks (like Pugs), but some are multi-colored or even completely black. Puggles usually have the longer body and muzzle of the Beagle, as well as floppy ears.

While Pugs are prone to eye, joint and skin problems (due to the wrinkles), Puggles enjoy relative freedom from these issues as a result of the Beagle parentage. Puggles are also more tolerant of the heat than Pugs are due to their longer nasal cavity. however, they are still prone to cherry eye, which is a common eye infection among Beagles.

Puggle owners praise the personality of the breed as its most valuable pet trait. They are playful animals and clown-like in disposition. They tend to have short bursts of energy, then quickly tire. As soon as they take a short nap, then want to play again. These playful tendencies can make them slow to train, and may also manifest in hyperactivity (a trait common to both Beagles and Pugs).

Puggles do not generally snore or make snorting noises as do Pugs. However, some do inherit the nasal houndlike bay of the Beagle. That being said, many Puggles barely vocalize at all.

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Even if you aren’t planning to breed or show your dog, knowing the names of his or her ancestors can still be important for health reasons. Of course, it can also just be plain fun (although a bit embarrassing) to know Spot’s great-granddad was named Prince Doggie Dumpling. If you have an AKC registered dog, you can go to the AKC website and find the dog pedigree online. However, it does cost and dogs that aren’t registered will not be listed. Luckily, there are a few few resources that can help you fill in at least part of your registered dog’s pedigree online. In fact, if one of your dog’s parents were registered, you may be able to find pedigree information for your unregistered pup, as well.

Here are a few resources I’ve used to find dog pedigrees online:

Australian Shepherd Database

Belgian Shepherd Database

Paw Village Dog Pedigree Database

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