If your search for the pawfect canine pal is leaving you wanting, perhaps a designer dog is for you! Also known as hybrids, designer dogs are different from mixed breeds or mutts as they are created by intentionally crossing two established purebred breeds to create a new one with desired characteristics.
While not a completely new trend, designer dogs have been rising in pupularity since the late 1980’s when the Labradoodle was bred from a Labrador and a Poodle to create a fun-loving, hypoallergenic guide dog. Today, you can find designer dogs of all shapes, sizes and temperaments, each one a furbulous blend of two pawmazing breeds. Â
Check out these top 20 designer dogs to find your new furry best furiend!
Often recognized as the first designer dog, the Labradoodle is still at the top of the list. Whether due to its hypoallergenic, curly coat that comes in many colors, or its easy-going Labrador personality, this highly trainable breed from Australia has captured our hearts. And best of all, it can come in small, medium and large!
These energetic dogs combine the pawrific personality of the Golden Retriever and the hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle
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, and much like their Labradoodle cousins, are often used as service dogs. Goldendoodles also make wonderful family pets, and can get along well with children and other animals. However, like their parent breeds, they need plenty of exercise and grooming.Perhaps the true original designer dog, the Cockapoo was bred in the 1960’s to combine the people-oriented temperament of the Cocker Spaniel with the hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle. These pooches can be large, but are usually more pupular in their smaller sizes, and boast a low-shed, curly coat that is easy to manage.Â
Pug fans take notice, cause there’s a new dog in town! The Puggle is bred from a Pug and a Beagle, and takes on a rather unique appearance. With a longer snout than a Pug which reduces breathing issues, and a variety of coat colors, these small and fun-loving pups are pawdorable and friendly, but can be rather stubborn when it comes to training.
Another dog that’s furbulous for people with allergies, this hybrid of a Poodle and a Schnauzer can range in size from a tiny lapdog to a rather large pooch. Schnoodles are playful and loyal, but will need some training to curb their excessive barking. This lovely pup sports a curly coat inherited from both their parents that comes in many colors, and requires regular grooming.
Tiny and simply adorable, this hypoallergenic pup displays the best characteristics of a Yorkshire Terrier and a Toy or Miniature Poodle. Clocking in at only 8 to 15 pounds, Yorkipoos are friendly, highly intelligent and confident, and while they don’t require a lot of exercise, they do need plenty of mental stimulation.Â
A Pomeranian and Siberian Husky may seem as far apart as you can get between breeds, but together, they make one of the cutest dogs you’ll ever see. With the colors and faces of a Husky, Pomskies weigh in at only 20 to 30 pounds, and boast a gorgeous dense, silky coat.Â
With one of the funniest names on this list, the Chiweenie blends the short and stocky bodies of a Dachshund with the almond eyes of a Chihuahua. This hybrid is usually a friendly and loving dog, but will do better in a home with older children. They can be stubborn, and will need consistent training to curb destructive behaviors.Â
At only 8 to 14 inches tall, the Malti-Poo is an incredibly pawdorable blend of a playful Maltese and an intelligent Toy or Miniature Poodle. These pups can have a curly or scruffy coat in a myriad of colors, but are low to no-shedders and are great for allergy sufferers. Affectionate, energetic and playful, these pooches often retain their puppy temperaments throughout adulthood.Â
Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise are known to be affectionate lapdogs. But when blended together, they create a spectacularly woofderful best friend. The Cavachon is sweet and playful, and at only 12 inches tall, is a fun-loving pup that thrives on attention. With silky coats that are slightly wavy, they are often tricolored and don’t shed much. Â
Tiny pups are all the rage, and this mix of a Pekingese and a Poodle is no exception. With one of the cutest faces you’ll ever see, the Pekeapoo’s small stature and soft, wavy coat are blended with a friendly and affectionate disposition, making them a premiere cuddlebug. These dogs are also quite intelligent and need plenty of games and challenges to keep entertained. Â
With the regal and spunky nature of a Shih-Tzu and the smarts of a Poodle, the Shih-Poo shines as an obedient and affectionate companion. This pup is generally friendly and playful, but can be shy around strangers. With curly and silky coats that vary in length and color, these teddy bears require daily grooming to look their best.
Is it a Pug? Is it a Chihuahua? With a Chug, it’s both! This small pooch weighs only 10 to 20 pounds, but is full of personality! Playful and friendly, Chugs can also be a bit stubborn and may need some training to curb any aggression towards larger dogs. With a comical face and sturdy body, these intelligent hybrids tend to be pretty chill.Â
Another hypoallergenic poodle hybrid, the Doxiepoo also boasts Dachshund heritage, and can vary in their appearance. Sometimes these small to medium dogs have curly Poodle coats on a long Dachshund body, or vice versa, but they are generally smart and loving with a dash of stubbornness that can make training challenging. Â
How do you make a Yorkshire Terrier even cuter? By mixing them with a Chihuahua, of course! These tiny pups are only 8 to 10 pounds and generally sport Chihuahua bodies, tails and ears with the silky fur and face of a Yorkie. Chorkies are smart, loyal, and bright, but can also be aggressive to strangers and difficult to housetrain.Â
Who doesn’t love a Pug? These small pups are super charming, and when mixed with the intelligence of a Poodle, they make pawrific loyal companions. In looks, each Pugapoo is unique and can take on the coats, sizes or colors of either parent breed. But they are usually all affectionate, smart, and active, so be sure to challenge your fur buddy with plenty of toys and games.
Another pup from Adorable Street, the Pomapoo is a mix of a fuzzy Pomeranian and a Toy Poodle that stands only 8 to 10 inches tall. These fragile pups do need to be handled carefully, but are usually charming, happy and eager to please. Some pooches can inherit the Pom’s tendency to be reserved around strangers, and can benefit from early socialization.Â
A puffball with eyes, the Mal-Shi boasts heritage from a Maltese and a Shih-Tzu, and seems to be about the most pawfect dog you’ll find! A tiny lapdog with a hypoallergenic silky coat, this outgoing pup welcomes everyone with a happy and energetic disposition, and is quick to learn new commands. Due to their small size, they can easily adapt to apartment living too!
The Cavapoo gets a lot of fluff and smarts from their Poodle parent, and a calm and loving nature from their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel one. These alert, playful and highly energetic dogs thrive when with their human, and can excel in sport competitions. Often hyperactive, they can be easy to train, though they may just prefer to cuddle up with you instead.
If your heart yearns for retrievers, check out this pawfect blend of Golden and Labrador Retrievers that features everything you could ever want in a large pup. Energetic, intelligent, sweet and playful, this devoted dog is ready to follow you anywhere. Great for service work and active lifestyles, Goldadors often sport short Lab coats in a variety of colors with those distinctive large Golden ears.Â