Glossary

Designer breed

A dog deliberately bred from two chosen breeds, often with a catchy name such as Labradoodle or Cockapoo, that is not a recognised breed itself.

Also called: doodle, doodles, labradoodle, goldendoodle, designer dog, hybrid dog, poodle mix

A designer breed is a deliberate cross between two established breeds, sold under a blended name. Common examples are the Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever and Poodle), the Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever and Poodle), the Cockapoo and the Puggle. Breeders often label litters by generation, such as F1 for a first cross and F1b for a cross back to a parent breed.

These crosses are not recognised breeds with a breed standard, and puppies in one litter can differ widely in size, coat and temperament. Claims of a coat that does not shed or a dog that is hypoallergenic are not guaranteed by the cross.

A higher price does not mean better health. Ask a seller for the health testing results of both parents, as you would with a purebred. Many designer crosses also end up in rescues, where they are simply mixed breed dogs.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Mixed breed A dog whose parents are of different breeds or whose ancestry is unknown, often called a mutt. Purebred A dog whose parents and ancestors belong to one recognised breed and are recorded in a registry, so its ancestry can be traced on paper. Hypoallergenic dog claim The marketing claim that a breed will not trigger allergies; no dog is truly hypoallergenic, since allergens also come from saliva, skin and urine. Dog breeder A person who plans and raises litters of puppies; a responsible breeder health tests the parents, follows a breed standard and stays involved with each puppy.