Designer Dogs Fall Short: Study Reveals Behavior Flaws

“Imagine getting a smart, easy-to-train companion dog that doesn't shed much, but skips the heart problems and nervousness!” One thing that has always struck me as funny is when owners proudly showcase their pricey hybrid dogs, boasting that their pup combines “the best qualities from both parent b

“Imagine getting a smart, easy-to-train companion dog that doesn't shed much, but skips the heart problems and nervousness!”

One thing that has always struck me as funny is when owners proudly showcase their pricey hybrid dogs, boasting that their pup combines “the best qualities from both parent breeds.” They often refer to something like a Labradoodle—which typically costs double what you'd pay for either a purebred Labrador or Poodle—claiming it reliably inherits the Poodle's low-allergen coat, sharp intellect, and extended lifespan, along with the Labrador's eagerness to learn, unwavering loyalty, and loving nature, all while dodging the Poodle's common ear and eye troubles or the Labrador's hip dysplasia issues. Sadly, unless you're engineering these dogs in a high-tech lab with precise genetic editing, there's an equal chance you'll wind up with a pet plagued by faulty hips, deteriorating vision, and persistent ear infections. Even so, breeds like the Labradoodle, Cavoodle (also known as Cavapoo), and various other “-oodle” or “-poo” mixes have surged in popularity over time, and for the most part, they turn out to be fairly sturdy animals physically. That said, fresh scientific research on these trendy “designer dogs” indicates that although their bodies hold up well, their personalities and behavioral tendencies often fall disappointingly short of expectations.

Dog breeders seem unable to escape criticism no matter their approach. They've long been criticized for excessive inbreeding to amplify extreme physical traits, and now even intentional crossbreeding is coming under fire for its downsides. A compelling new study, featured in the esteemed PLOS One journal from the Public Library of Science, examined problematic behaviors in popular “designer” hybrids alongside their purebred parent breeds, yielding some eye-opening findings. Conducted at the UK's Royal Veterinary College, this investigation set out to test the popular notion that these designer crosses boast superior behavioral qualities, such as exceptional trainability and friendliness around kids. The researchers employed the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ), a standardized tool, to analyze data from more than 9,000 owners. They focused on the UK's top three designer mixes—the Cockapoo, Labradoodle, and Cavapoo—pitting their scores against those of the corresponding purebreds: Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS), and Poodle.

What Defines a Designer Dog?

Image Credit: Steven B Gold, Shutterstock

Beyond their premium price points, designer breeds stand apart from everyday mutts or random crossbreeds because they result from purposeful matings between two or more distinct purebred lines, all engineered to produce a targeted set of traits. It's worth noting that every purebred dog we recognize today started out as some form of crossbreed or designer experiment in the distant past before standardization took hold.

The famous “-oodles” and “-poos” are usually developed to deliver perks like a “hypoallergenic” version of a Labrador or a spaniel that sheds minimally. Certain designer labels are little more than inventive mashups of breed names, crafted by breeders to justify inflated prices. Others, such as Jugs or Puggles (crosses between a Pug and a Jack Russell Terrier or Beagle), aim to produce healthier alternatives to the Pug's extreme short-faced structure, potentially reducing associated health woes.

Assessing Behavioral Differences

Earlier analyses in the same research program had already vetted the physical well-being of these dogs, uncovering minimal disparities in health metrics between the designer crosses and their purebred counterparts. Positively, around 79% of the dogs in the survey were covered by pet insurance, which is a smart safeguard for owners.

Evaluating behavior, temperament, and obedience potential is inherently trickier and more personal than measuring physical attributes like joint structure or eye condition, since these traits involve nuance and context. Nevertheless, the study's methodology was thorough, controlling for numerous influencing factors to ensure reliability. Among the designer breeds examined, the Cockapoo emerged as the most challenging in terms of behavior.

When stacked against the Poodles and Cocker Spaniels in the dataset, Cockapoos consistently rated worse—meaning they displayed more problematic behaviors—across a wide range of C-BARQ categories, including:

• aggression toward family members
• aggression toward unfamiliar people
• aggression toward other dogs
• competition or rivalry with other dogs
• fearfulness around strangers
• fearfulness around dogs
• fear of non-living objects or situations
• issues related to being left alone
• excessive excitement or hyperactivity
• poor responsiveness to training

Image Credit: caseyjadew, Shutterstock

In contrast, Labradoodles demonstrated fewer issues than Poodles in several areas, such as:

• aggression toward owners
• aggression toward other dogs
• dog rivalry
• fear of strangers
• fear of dogs
• separation anxiety

However, Labradoodles were more prone than Labradors to problems like dog rivalry, fear of non-social stimuli, separation issues, over-excitability, and lower trainability scores.

Cavapoos presented a more varied picture. They outperformed Poodles in trainability but lagged in handling non-social fears, dog-related fears, and overall obedience. Compared to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Cavapoos showed elevated levels of owner-directed aggression, stranger aggression, dog aggression, stranger fear, non-social fear, dog fear, separation problems, and excitability. On a brighter note, their trainability edged out the CKCS, likely owing to the Poodle influence in their lineage.

Interpreting the Study's Key Insights

It's clear that no one can perfectly forecast a dog's personality or behavioral style solely from its pedigree and genetic makeup—individual experiences and environment play huge roles too. That being said, genetics undeniably shape baseline tendencies, influencing which instincts or responses a dog might lean toward. For instance, herding breeds are predisposed to pursue moving animals more than companion-focused types. We see this in how a Husky pulls relentlessly on the leash, while a Beagle pauses obsessively to investigate scents. Yet, selective breeding for isolated traits can unintentionally bundle in unwanted characteristics that aren't immediately obvious.

Back in the 17th century, King Charles II's passion for developing the sweet-natured spaniels named after him inadvertently locked in a vulnerability to heart conditions amid their endearing companionship. Similarly, the breeders who refined the steadfast Labrador Retriever from Newfoundland's St. John's Water Dogs centuries ago probably didn't anticipate the breed's widespread hip dysplasia risk. Regrettably, modern breeding practices repeat these oversights, merging genetic lines for select features without fully grasping the broader consequences.

This research underscores the critical need for in-depth investigation into any dog—purebred or hybrid—before bringing one home. Prospective owners should insist on meeting both parents, observing their temperaments firsthand, rather than rushing into a purchase based on hype. Although our grasp of canine genetics surpasses that of historical breeders, dogs aren't customizable like fast-food orders where you pick traits à la carte, omitting the downsides.

If uncertainty about a puppy's future behavior worries you, consider rescuing from a shelter—outcomes tend to be more predictable with adults. While designer crosses may not deliver the ultimate hybrid perfection, a true mixed-breed “Heinz 57” variety dog often brings the genuine hybrid vigor and resilience many seek.

Image Credit: Daniel Tadevosyan, Shutterstock