Hybrid Dogs, also commonly known as “Cross Breeds” or “Designer Dogs”, are a category of dogs who are offspring to parents of two different pure dog breeds. This aims at extracting the qualities of each of the breeds involved in the matting process, which will results in the breeding of stronger and healthier puppies. This is typically characterized by puppies that have inherited the physical and mental qualities of both parents.
More on Hybrid and Designer Dogs

Although there are some people who would prefer to have 100 % of everything, from whole wheat and 100% cotton t-shirts, there are definitely some advantages to having a hybrid, or a more new-aged term, Designer Dog.

Hybrids have come a long stretch from the mutts and mongrels formerly tsase when two hybrids are bred to produce a breed. Though many would beg to differ, there is nothing new about the practice of selective breeding. For years different dogs have been teamed to create an otherwise ‘perfect’ offspring exhibiting greater characteristics and personality traits that would qualify them as man’s best friend.

Although every dog is as unique as its owner, perhaps the best way to find out about the hybrid’s temperament is by looking up the breeds in the cross and understand you can get any of those characteristics found in either breed. It is not uncommon to have more dominant traits from one parent than another, the same way a child will inherit more prevailing traits from their father than their mother or vice versa.

Because hybrids are ‘created’ from the likeness of purebreds, their names are invented as well. Take the Airedoodle for example- a mixture of Airedale Terrier and poodle; the Aussiedoodle-Australian Shepherd and Poodle, Cadoodle- collie and poodle, and the foxhoodle-fox hound and poodle. The reality is, there are oodles and oodles of mixes of poodles all in the search for the perfect dog.

Hybrid Dogs, also commonly known as “Cross Breeds” or “Designer Dogs”, are a category of dogs who are offspring to parents of two different pure dog breeds. This aims at extracting the qualities of each of the breeds involved in the matting process, which will results in the breeding of stronger and healthier puppies. This is typically characterized by puppies that have inherited the physical and mental qualities of both parents.
More on Hybrid and Designer Dogs

Although there are some people who would prefer to have 100 % of everything, from whole wheat and 100% cotton t-shirts, there are definitely some advantages to having a hybrid, or a more new-aged term, Designer Dog.

Hybrids have come a long stretch from the mutts and mongrels formerly tsase when two hybrids are bred to produce a breed. Though many would beg to differ, there is nothing new about the practice of selective breeding. For years different dogs have been teamed to create an otherwise ‘perfect’ offspring exhibiting greater characteristics and personality traits that would qualify them as man’s best friend.

Although every dog is as unique as its owner, perhaps the best way to find out about the hybrid’s temperament is by looking up the breeds in the cross and understand you can get any of those characteristics found in either breed. It is not uncommon to have more dominant traits from one parent than another, the same way a child will inherit more prevailing traits from their father than their mother or vice versa.

Because hybrids are ‘created’ from the likeness of purebreds, their names are invented as well. Take the Airedoodle for example- a mixture of Airedale Terrier and poodle; the Aussiedoodle-Australian Shepherd and Poodle, Cadoodle- collie and poodle, and the foxhoodle-fox hound and poodle. The reality is, there are oodles and oodles of mixes of poodles all in the search for the perfect dog.

Hybrid Dogs, also commonly known as “Cross Breeds” or “Designer Dogs”, are a category of dogs who are offspring to parents of two different pure dog breeds. This aims at extracting the qualities of each of the breeds involved in the matting process, which will results in the breeding of stronger and healthier puppies. This is typically characterized by puppies that have inherited the physical and mental qualities of both parents.
More on Hybrid and Designer Dogs

Although there are some people who would prefer to have 100 % of everything, from whole wheat and 100% cotton t-shirts, there are definitely some advantages to having a hybrid, or a more new-aged term, Designer Dog.

Hybrids have come a long stretch from the mutts and mongrels formerly tsase when two hybrids are bred to produce a breed. Though many would beg to differ, there is nothing new about the practice of selective breeding. For years different dogs have been teamed to create an otherwise ‘perfect’ offspring exhibiting greater characteristics and personality traits that would qualify them as man’s best friend.

Although every dog is as unique as its owner, perhaps the best way to find out about the hybrid’s temperament is by looking up the breeds in the cross and unders

Hybrid Dogs, also commonly known as “Cross Breeds” or “Designer Dogs”, are a category of dogs who are offspring to parents of two different pure dog breeds. This aims at extracting the qualities of each of the breeds involved in the matting process, which will results in the breeding of stronger and healthier puppies. This is typically characterized by puppies that have inherited the physical and mental qualities of both parents.
More on Hybrid and Designer Dogs

Although there are some people who would prefer to have 100 % of everything, from whole wheat and 100% cotton t-shirts, there are definitely some advantages to having a hybrid, or a more new-aged term, Designer Dog.

Hybrids have come a long stretch from the mutts and mongrels formerly tsase when two hybrids are bred to produce a breed. Though many would beg to differ, there is nothing new about the practice of selective breeding. For years different dogs have been teamed to create an otherwise ‘perfect’ offspring exhibiting greater characteristics and personality traits that would qualify them as man’s best friend.

Although every dog is as unique as its owner, perhaps the best way to find out about the hybrid’s temperament is by looking up the breeds in the cross and understand you can get any of those characteristics found in either breed. It is not uncommon to have more dominant traits from one parent than another, the same way a child will inherit more prevailing traits from their father than their mother or vice versa.

Because hybrids are ‘created’ from the likeness of purebreds, their names are invented as well. Take the Airedoodle for example- a mixture of Airedale Terrier and poodle; the Aussiedoodle-Australian Shepherd and Poodle, Cadoodle- collie and poodle, and the foxhoodle-fox hound and poodle. The reality is, there are oodles and oodles of mixes of poodles all in the search for the perfect dog.

The Wire Fox Terrier originated in England and was bred to hunt down rodents and foxes. Their job would be to scare the animal out of its den while their master would be ready to shoot. This dog is similar to the Smooth Fox Terrier but they are different breeds that are used today as companions.

This breed has a medium length coat that has a dense, wiry texture and a long rectangular muzzle. They have an athletic body and muscular legs that give them their speed and incredible reflexes. Naturally the Wire Fox Terrier’s tail is long but for show purposes will be docked. Their ears are triangular and they stay pricked upwards giving them a soft yet curious appearance.

The Wire Fox Terrier is a confident, feisty breed that will bite first and ask questions later. These dogs are animated with their masters and will be good family pets. They adore children but can be very rambunctious so it is recommended that older kids interact with these dogs as very young children might become overwhelmed or frightened.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 14-16 inches high

Females: 13-15 inches high

Weight

Males: 15-20 lbs
Females: 13-18 lbs

Color(s)

The Wire Fox Terrier will come in white with patches of brown and black on their body, face and tail. Different lines might produce dogs that are mostly white with only one marking colour being a brown or black.

Coat

This breed has a hard, brittle textured coat that will need a moderate amount of grooming to upkeep. Weekly brushing, and bathing every couple of months will be perfect but they should have their fur stripped multiple times per year to remove the dead coat.

Life Expectancy

About 15 years.

Personality

The Wire Fox Terrier is an energetic, outgoing dog that will need an owner who has experience raising and training dogs because this breed needs an extensive amount of socialization, training, exercise, attention and time. They make great pets but just need more time spent with them and more energy put into raising them. These dogs can be animal aggressive so will need to be socialized around dogs, smaller animals (cats) and other people at a very young age to ensure they can be comfortable in various situations as an adult.

The Wire Fox Terrier is a great watchdog because they are constantly on guard and alert when at home as they can be quite protective of their territory. Although they have a very active lifestyle, the Wire Fox Terrier will need a large amount of attention as they thrive on the love they receive from their owners!

Care

This breed will need to be brushed weekly and bathed every month or two. They are very clean animals that don’t require too much grooming maintenance. Their coat will need to be stripped and depending on the owner, this may be done very often or minimally. The Wire Fox Terrier is prone to Epilepsy, skin allergies, Legg Perthes syndrome and sometimes deafness. Eye problems may be inherited in this breed as well, some of which are cataracts and luxation of the lens.

Training

This breed will need an owner who is experienced in training because these dogs can show rebellion and behavior difficulties. A firm hand will be needed as well as gentle methods to teach this dog basic house rules and obedience. Repetition and short lessons will be an easier way for the Wire Fox Terrier to grasp the information, so multiple mini training sessions daily will be perfect!

Activity

The Wire Fox Terrier will need to be taken to an off-leash park or on a long walk regularly. Running around in a fenced in area will be much better for them to burn off their energy but as long as they get a minimum of an hour per day of exercise, they will be a happy dog. This breed will do well in an apartment if they are taken out daily. A backyard would be preferable but is not a necessity.

The West Highland White Terrier originated in Scotland and were bred to be ratters but can also hunt otters and foxes. These dogs are Cairn Terriers that were born a pure white colouring and as more of them kept appearing in various litters, more were bred together, ending in the creation of a new breed. The West Highland also goes by the name Westie.

These little dogs are bundles of energy and enthusiasm! They are loving and affectionate dogs that will make a great family pet as they get along well with older children and interact quite well with other dogs. Smaller family pets such as mice, hamsters, and rats etc. should be monitored around this breed as they might confuse them for prey!

The Westie is a short breed that is slightly longer than they are high. These dogs are oddly quick and agile for their size but this attribute gives them their ability to hunt rodents easily. They have a double layered coat and a sharp muzzle that comes to a point. Their ears are triangular and prick upwards. The Westies tail is of medium length and they have short muscular legs.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 10-12 inches high

Females: 9-11 inches high

Weight

Males: 15-22 lbs
Females: 13-16 lbs

Color(s)

The Westie will come in only one colour which is a solid white.

Coat

This breed has a messy double layered coat that aides them in cold weather. The under coat is plushy and warm while their top coat is straight with a hard texture. Their fur is long and will need to be stripped twice per year to keep it looking great.

Life Expectancy

About 15 years.

Personality

This little dog is a cheerful and outgoing breed that has a free spirited, uplifting charm about them. Great workers as well as pets, the Westie is a joy to own and will bring entertainment and excellent companionship to any owner. They can be a barky breed but will make great watchdogs for the household. This dog will need quite a bit of sleep to be their normally perky selves but are independent enough to find this time during the day!

The Westie is a friendly breed and will even be polite and outgoing with people they’ve never met! On the whole, this dog will make a great pet for people that enjoy a cuddly pet but also one that wants their own space and will not need company every second of the day.

Care

The Westie will need regular grooming so brushing 2-3 times per week will be perfect. Bathes should be given no more than every 2 months and the coat should be stripped bi-annually. This breed is prone to Perthes syndrome, skin allergies, liver disease, and sometimes hip dysplasia. Special attention should be brought to their ears which will need to be cleaned about once per month.

Training

The West Highland White Terrier will need a firm hand when training but is a very clever breed that will learn obedience quickly. They just need repetition and consistency to understand their owner’s commands and if this is done on a regular basis, they will grasp the concept rapidly. Westies can also learn many little tricks and will charm audiences once they perfect them!

Activity

The Westie will need to be taken out on regular walks or to an off-leash dog park so they can run around and burn off their energy. These little guys play indoors and will not need an excessive amount of exercise by the end of the day. They will do well in an apartment as long as they get their exercise daily. A backyard is not needed but having one is a bonus so they can run around outside in an outdoor environment.

The Welsh Terrier originated in England and was bred to hunt fox, small game, badgers, and otter. They are descendants of the British Black and Tan Terrier and they still carry most of the same appearance characteristics today!

The Welsh terrier has a messy, hard coat that has a wire texture. Their fur is very short and as puppies, this breed is completely black but will become lighter as they age. These dogs have a muscular body, a large square muzzle and tiny floppy ears. Naturally the Welsh terrier will have a long tail but for show purposes is will be docked.

These dogs are sweet, loving and upbeat who enjoy time spent with their families. They are a curious, intelligent breed that are notorious diggers and swimmers! The Welsh Terrier will make a great family pet because they get along well with children and dogs, but will need to be raised with smaller family pets such as cats so their chase instinct does not come into play.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 14-15 inches high

Females: 14- 15 inches high

Weight

Males: 19-22 lbs
Females: 19-22 lbs

Color(s)

The Welsh Terrier is born completely black but will lighten as they grow older. During their first year, the Welsh Terrier’s coat will eventually turn into a tan colour with black/grey accents.

Coat

This breed has a double layered coat with the outer layer being a hard, wiry texture and the under coat being a plush soft layer that protects them from the cold. Although they have a short coat, the Welsh Terrier will need to be brushed about twice per week and will need to have their coat plucked about 3 times per year.

Life Expectancy

About 10-12 years.

Personality

This breed is responsive, energetic and has a positive attitude. They can entertain themselves just by exploring their territory but thrive on being part of the family pack. This dog is not just a great pet but also a great worker because they hunt well as a team! Loyal and trustworthy, the Welsh Terrier is an overall great breed to own.

Although these dogs are responsive and faithful, they are still Terriers which will do what their instincts tell them to, whether that be to chase, sniff out, or hunt. When walking this dog a leash is always needed because there is always potential for them to spot a small animal they want to chase. They should be off-leash only in areas where it is completely fenced in such as a dog park.

Care

The Welsh Terrier will need to be brushed about 3 t times per week and bathed once every 2-3 months. They will need to have their coat plucked around 4 times per year which will remove the excess dead fur. These dogs are prone to skin allergies, some eye problems such as glaucoma, and epilepsy. They are generally very healthy dogs that live long and happy lives!

Training

The Welsh Terrier will need gentle yet firm training and repetition to be able to grasp basic obedience. They are smart dogs that just need consistency to understand, but will catch on quickly when they are taught on a daily basis with short sessions.

Activity

This breed will need a large amount of exercise daily in order to burn off their energy. Long walks and time spent off-leash playing with other dogs or just chasing a ball will be needed! They will do well in an apartment as long as they are exercised regularly. A fenced in back yard would be preferable so they have an outdoor space to run in, but is not necessary for their living environment.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier originated in England and was used to fight other dogs for sport. They are a mixture of many different types of terriers and the English Bulldog. Today these dogs are still unfortunately used for fighting but are primarily a loving companion.

This breed has an incredibly muscular body that is strong and agile. They have a large head with small triangular ears that are pricked upwards. These dogs have a powerful jaw and strong, straight athletic legs. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffie) has a long slender tail that comes to a point at the end. These dogs are beautiful specimens of their kind and have an extraordinary physique!

Loyal, affectionate and extremely loving, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is of the utmost devoted dogs known today. They are playful and enjoy being part of the family as this is what makes them truly happy. This breed is a great family pet that cherishes the children and will get along well with other pets if they are raised with them. A variety of toys will be needed for this breed because they love to have little treats to chew on and squeaky trinkets to entertain them!

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 14-16 inches high

Females: 13-15 inches high

Weight

Males: 25-48 lbs
Females: 23-35 lbs

Color(s)

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier comes in a large variety of colours such as black, red, fawn, brindle, blue, and white. These can be all solid colours or a mixture of solid with patches or small markings of the white.

Coat

This breed has a very short, dense coat that is hard to the touch. It is sleek and well managed making it very easy to groom and upkeep.

Life Expectancy

About 10-16 years.

Personality

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a courageous and outgoing dog that would make a great addition to the family! They have a goofy yet dignified attitude and a well behaved character. These dogs are polite and have a great demeanor. The Staffie can be stubborn but this is to be expected from any breed.

Although these dogs make great family pets, they are not suggested for every family because they need an owner experienced in raising dogs that are a bit more difficult to train. Socialization of the Staffie should be started at a young age and be done around dogs, people and other animals (cats, etc.) to ensure they can live comfortably with these as adults!

Care

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier will need very minimal grooming because they have a short, easy to care for coat. Brushing once per week and bathing every 2 months will be perfect for this dog. They are prone to Hip dysplasia, and cataracts as these are the most commonly inherited diseases of this breed and owners should check the medical background of the puppy’s parents before deciding to buy.

Training

This breed will need a master who is experienced in owning dogs and in training. The Staffie is a lovely breed but will need extensive training and socialization at a young age which should be carried out into adulthood. Training should be done in a gentle manner but consistently and very repetitively so they grasp each concept. Sessions should be short and made to be fun for the dog so they are excited to learn and have the notion that obedience is a treat!

Activity

The Staffie will need at least an hour per day of exercise which could be time spent in an off-leash park or on a long walk. They will do well in an apartment as long as exercise is given daily. A small back yard would be preferable for them to run around in, but isn’t necessary.

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier originated in Ireland and were bred to hunt rodents, to herd, and to guard farm animals. These dogs are believed to have blood relativity to the Kerry Blue Terrier and became popular in the mid 1940’s when they were brought over to the United States.

This breed has a shaggy long coat and a tuft of hair covering the entire length of their face. Their muzzle is long and rectangular with their ears being large and pricked upwards. This breed has a muscular agile body and long athletic legs. Although they are a large breed, the Wheaten is precise and quick when it comes to hunting and herding animals making them great working dogs as well as great family pets.

The Wheaten has a goofy sweet temperament that qualifies them as the perfect family pet. They love children and will play for hours on end with them. Although they get along very well with people, smaller pets such as cats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc. will not be safe around this breed. The Wheaten has a very high prey drive and any small animal that catches their eye will not be safe. This dog will grow an extremely strong bond with their families and will constantly show affection, loyalty and love.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 18-20 inches high
Females: 17-19 inches high

Weight

Males: 35-45 lbs
Females: 30-40 lbs

Color(s)

The soft coated Wheaten terrier will only come in one colouring, which is the wheat/blonde. Their puppies are completely black at birth and will lighten to their wheat colouring as they age!

Coat

This breed has a long messy looking coat that is thick and fluffy to keep them warm when hunting or herding in cold temperatures. They have a “hypoallergenic” coat meaning they shed a little amount of dander which will be great for people that suffer from animal related allergies. The Wheaten’s fur will continually grow, so they will need constant haircuts to keep their coat short and equal length.

Life Expectancy

About 12-15 years.

Personality

The Wheaten is an animated goofy character that has an infectiously happy personality. They love to be in the company of their family and will become depressed if left alone too often. They are known to be young at heart even when they get to be an older age. Charming and clever, the Wheaten will need thorough training in a gentle manner especially when teaching the house rules. Repetition and consistency will be needed so they can really understand their owners commands.

This breed will get along with other dogs well, but should not be around any smaller animals or pets because they consider these to be prey. Socialization as puppies will be needed around dogs and other animals to ensure this breed will be comfortable and aware of his surroundings as an adult.

Care

The soft coated Wheaten terrier will need a moderate amount of grooming to upkeep their coat. Brushing about once per week and bathing once every 2 months will be perfect for this dogs coat. They will need to have their fur trimmed quite often but this is up to how the owner would like the dog to look. Some owners prefer a long haired dog, others prefer their Wheaten to have short hair! This breed is prone to protein-losing enteropathy, hip dysplasia, allergies to fleas and kidney dysplasia.

Training

These dogs are incredibly smart and will not require too much training to understand basic obedience. They just need consistency and gentle repetitive methods to grasp the concept their owner is teaching them. Training should be made fun and include short lessons to encourage the dog to want to keep learning. Even as adults, the Wheaten will still act like a puppy so training will need to be an ongoing activity until they mature.

Activity

This breed will need to be taken to off-leash dog parks so they can run around freely or be taken on a long walk every day. They are not extremely hyper dogs, but do require a good amount of exercise every day. The Wheaten will do well in an apartment and would be better off with a backyard to run around in. When walking this breed, the owner should always have a leash on them in case the Wheaten spots a small animal and begins a chase.

The Smooth Fox Terrier originated in England and was bred to hunt down rats and foxes, just as its name suggests. They are determined and ferocious when it comes to hunting but are loyal and affectionate when it comes to their family. These dogs have a lot of energy and love to be around their human pack as much as possible because they are not a breed that should be left alone often due to them becoming bored or lonely.

The Smooth Fox Terrier will make a great watchdog as they have a piercing bark that they love to voice! They will be ok with other dogs but must be monitored around smaller family pets such as cats, hamsters, mice etc. because they might assume these pets are for them to hunt. Like most Terriers, the Smooth Fox will need to be on a leash at all times when outside as their primal instincts to hunt smaller animals might come into effect if they see something that catches their fancy.

This breed has a short smooth coat that is hard to the touch. They have a naturally long tail that is docked for show purposes. Their ears are small, triangular and prick upwards. The Smooth Fox Terrier has a sharp pointed muzzle and strong jaws. Their body is athletic and compact giving them great agility and speed when on the hunt. This breed is perfect for hunting and does an excellent job working alongside their owner.

Breed Group

Terrier

Size

Males: 14-16 inches high
Females: 13-15 inches high

Weight

Males: 15-20 lbs
Females: 13-18 lbs

Color(s)

The Smooth Fox Terrier comes in a white with multi coloured patches all over their body. Black and brown or a reddish brown are most commonly the colours for the patches and will be found on their head, lower back and tail.

Coat

This breed has a silky short coat that has a sleek appearance to it. The Smooth Fox Terrier only comes in this short type coat, where the Wiry version of this dog, the Wire Fox Terrier is categorized as a different breed.

Life Expectancy

About  12-15 years.

Personality

The Smooth Fox Terrier is a loving, energetic and playful breed that enjoys time spent with the family. They have been known to not do well left alone for long periods of time so should be exercised rigorously daily as well as be given a variety of toys. These dogs are great to work with as they show dedication to the hunt and will impress their owners with their tenacity. Although they are responsive to work, training is a different field that will need firm consistency. The Smooth Fox Terrier has the potential to win obedience, hunting, and even agility trials if their owners put in the time to train them in these sports.

This breed will need an owner who is firm and has some experience in raising dogs. They can be a stubborn breed that will test their owners just to see how far they can go and if the owner is not prepared to handle this, the dog will rule the household. Training will need to begin as soon as the dog enters the house so they grasp the concept of what is ok to do and what is not. They are an intelligent breed that wants to please their owners and will make great pets with the right type of master.

Care

The Smooth Fox Terrier will need very minimal grooming as their coat is short and will not mat. Brushing should be done once every week or two just to remove the dead fur and bathing about once every two months. These dogs are prone to Legg perthes syndrome, deafness in some lines, and cataracts. Luxating Patella’s and luxating eye lens might be genetically inherited diseases as well but generally they are a very healthy breed.

Training

This breed will need firm and consistent training for them to be able to understand basic obedience. They need to be socialized well around other dogs and smaller animals as pups to ensure they become stable around these as adults. They have been known to test their owners and will need to be taught what is acceptable and what is not. The Smooth Fox Terrier is a very clever dog and are known to be trainable in many sports including hunting, all they need is consistency and an owner willing to put in the time and they will succeed.

Activity

This breed will need to be taken out to off-leash dog parks or for long walks daily to burn off their energy. They enjoy running and chasing a ball so this might be a perfect exercise to tire them out! The Smooth Fox Terrier will do well in an apartment as long as they get their daily exercise and wont need a backyard but having access to one is a bonus. They will be much happier having an owner that is at home or is able to be with them during the day as they can get lonely being by themselves to often.