As I read over the posts I understand both sides of the mixed breed issue. I would really enjoy breeding and providing homes fordogs with families who would really love a dog and give it good home and training. What I keep coming back to is the fact that many of the breeds we have today have weaknesses in their make up or character, and it would be really awesome to be able to try and build a line that was working to lesson or eliminate these weaknesses. Pure breed dogs are expensive, and so are the mixes! I saw on line where a lab and poodle mix was about $2,000! I know many people shy away from shelters because the dogs have been sent there with problems that were never dealt with. Rescue organizations can be a great help in this area if they try and train and care proberly for a dog they rescue in preparation for their new home. I know the foster mom of Bindi did a great job in preparing her for her new home.
I feel heart sick that dogs that are put to sleep because no one wants them. I do know that what was said before is true, people living in an apartment or small condo with a small yard want a dog they can say will be about a certain size. Many land lords do not allow any pets over 20 lbs. I have adopted a dog before who was supposed to be a cocapoo and turned into a huge mixed lab, so I understand the problem.
I am trusting that those who are involved here and are trying to be responsible dog owners have the dogs best interest at heart. It is very cool to have a cottage industry. My prayers are with you that you do the very best for each of the dogs you breed, that you do not breed them too heavily and that you are very careful where you send your little dogs.
I don't know what I would do. I am more apt to investigate the breeds I like and see what I can do to improve them. I do have a little mix, Bindi, ( mixed terrier) a rescue and we love her. So, I am on both sides of the issue.
America, the land of the free!
I love poodles too, they are very smart and since I have asthma as a kid I loved dogs so much my parents got me one and my mom even bred her. I'd recommend them.
May God bless you

Sharon says "It is very cool to have a cottage industry"

Sorry, but it is NOT COOL AT ALL to look at breeding dogs as a cottage industry.
That's what BYB's and puppy mills do.
Your little dog is a great dog, I am sure, bur it was a Rescue due to someone somewhere being an irresponsible dog breeder and or owner.
I SO disagree with the statement about the "cottage industry".
I'll stop now, before I get into a full fledged rant...

 Quote: sharon empson

What I keep coming back to is the fact that many of the breeds we have today have weaknesses in their make up or character, and it would be really awesome to be able to try and build a line that was working to lesson or eliminate these weaknesses.

This is not a "purebred" issue, this is a "poorly bred" issue... There are HUNDREDS of unique breeds of dog - each with very specific character traits that were fine tuned for a purpose. "Weaknesses" to some may be great strengths to another, and with so many breeds to choose from, a new owner could, with the right determination and research, match their lifestyle to the right purebred dog, without feeling like they needed to combine this and that to make some "perfect" dog. With few exceptions, all those 'designer mixes' so prevalent today don't even attempt to solve any "weaknesses", they are mostly for novelty purposes (which, if you ask me, is the worst reason of all time to start breeding dogs...) I have no problem with shelter dogs and rescue dogs, but I DO have an issue with people who breed dogs just because they can, ultimately influencing that very population of rescues and mixes.

The second key to the purebred equation is finding a BREEDER who breeds sound, high-quality representatives of that breed. I heard a guy once with a nice Australian Shepherd describe his dog as "great, but with common "purebred" behavioral problems" (implying that ALL purebreds suffer the same behavioral problems)... Whaaa???? You mean problems with undersocialization or having come from a mentally fragile sire or dam? BREEDERS control which dogs mate, thus influencing how the pups turn out, and BREEDERS help get those pups off to their new homes on the right foot, also influencing how the pups turn out. This guy either bought a dog from a BYB or raised it incorrectly, but I'm pretty sure the sole fact that it came from "pure" (not necessarily GOOD) bloodlines had nothing to do with whatever issues he claimed it had. This stigma against purebreds takes the blame off of consumers when they fail to thoroughly research breeders, pedigrees, titles, progeny and then perhaps exacerbate their situation with poor training... sigh...

Sorry for the mini rant, Jan started it

~Natalya