You will see many ads for what is termed designer breeds. They are usually represented as a truncation of the purebreds that have made the new ‘breed’. A Yorkie/Maltes is often called a Yorktese; Schnauzer/Poodle will often be called a Schnoodle. Unfortunately, these are not breeds, these are mixes also called mutts. It has also been my experience that these mixes don’t always reflect the other breeds behind them. I.e.: the Yorktese does not just have Yorkie and Maltese; there are other breeds in the mix somewhere.
They do not breed true when you are mixing breeds. A maltipoo, a mix of Maltese and poodle, can be anywhere from very small such as 5 lbs to 30lbs. It is going to depend on what is behind both parents, more than Maltese? More than toy poodle such as a Miniature poodle or even Standard Poodle. You likely will not get the same Maltipoo your friend or neighbour has when you want to get a maltipoo. It can look anything like either parent or everything in between.
Designer breeds are not hybrid vigour. Any of the genetic problems that can occur in any of the purebreds comprising that mix, can occur in the mix breed. Genes that carry genetic problems don’t care if they have the right combination to express the disease in a purebred or a mixed breed.
An example is that Liver shunt, a genetic disease, that can occur in Yorkies and Maltese will also potentially show up in the Yorkie Maltese mix. A Golden Doodle can still have hip dysplasia or any other genetic problems in the Golden retriever or Poodle. A Labradoodle and Golden Doodle is also a mix, not a breed. They are not always hypoallergenic as too much Labrador or too much Golden Retriever and you will have dog that grows hair and sheds at the same time. Talk to a reputable Standard Poodle breeder and they will tell you a Poodle also does its share of shedding.
Pet grooming on coated mixed breeds can be more challenging than grooming on a purebred as the blends of coat on a mix can matt so much more and again, it can shed and grow coat at the same time. Mixed breeds especially in the small breeds I have seen, often have severe under bites. Severe overbite can be a problem as well as the teeth can dig into upper or lower gums/palates depending on which the problem might happen to be.
If you just want a small dog and don’t care if it is a purebred, there are many in shelters and rescue organizations looking for a second chance. If you want a large dog there are even more in rescue and shelters.
Be part of the solution, rescue instead.
Lorraine Effa
Loriben Yorkies
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