As the number of designer mutts increases and more and more people are suckered into believing they are some new "rare" breed and paying thousands of dollars for them I feel I must point some things out that might make people think before they drop $2500 on a mutt.

First, let me clarify that I have nothing against mixed breed dogs. I do, however, have a huge problem with people spending large sums of money on mutts that simply line the pockets of the back yard breeders and puppy mills who produce them. The phrase "there is a sucker born every minute" comes to mind when I see someone bragging about their "purebred" Goldendoodle, labradoodle, Chug, Lhasalier, Cavashon, Cockapoo, Schnoodle, etc. These are mutts, mixed breed dogs. Mixing two purebred dogs does not make purebred offspring. It makes an item that is easy to manufacture and sell to people who believe everything they hear or see on tv or the net. It costs lives in shelters every day.

Do you have any idea how far the $2500 Mrs. Jones spent on her "purebred" Goldendoodle would go in any city in ANY city? $2500 would save a LOT of lives that are the very same mix. Each and every day thousands of all of the mix combinations I mentioned above die in shleters all over this great country of ours. Every day thousands of Goldendoodles die in shelters. If you want a Goldendoole, go to the shelter, adopt one, save a life and donate $2500 to the shelter. That would make people be proud of you and respect you.

Paying $2500 for a mutt from a back yard breeder or puppy mill makes you look like a fool and a sucker! There is no such thing as a responsible breeder who deliberately breeds mutts. They breed them to sell them and make money.

The ONLY reason to breed anything is to better (improve) the breed whether its dogs, horses, goats, cattle or goldfish. There are approximately 600 breeds of dogs world wide. There is no reason to create more mutts to fill our shelters with what is already there. There is no reason to pay people for mutts when you can go to your local shelter and save a life and make a donation that means something that will save more lives.

Mixing a Golden and a Poodle creates a dog that has a thick, curly coat that matts easily and is most difficult to maintain for the average pet owner. Goldens shed, Poodles do not. Mix those two coats and you have a nightmare coat wise. I am a professional groomer of pet and show dogs of 27 years and founder of HipDog School of Grooming Arts. I know what I am talking about. I have dealt with these coat for as many years. Just because it now has a cute name does not make it a better quality mutt. It does not make it easier to care for and it makes those who spend that kind of money on a mutt they could have easily adopted from a shelter look like idiots.

C'mon people. Don't be suckered into believing what the back yard breeders and puppy mills tell you. They want your MONEY. They are going to tell you whatever you want to hear to get that money out of your wallet and into their bank account laughing all the way.