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In Australia, certain “designer” dog breeds, such as cockapoos, cavoodles, and labradoodles, enjoy immense popularity. However, recent research points out a significant downside to these beloved crossbreeds.
A study conducted by the Royal Veterinary College in the UK has found that these mixed-breed dogs often exhibit worse behavior compared to their purebred ancestors.
Cockapoos result from crossing poodles with cocker spaniels, cavoodles from poodles with King Charles spaniels, and labradoodles from poodles with Labrador retrievers.
These crossbreeds are particularly favored in Australia, with cavoodles even taking the top spot as the country’s most popular breed.
Australians are frequently drawn to these “designer” mixes under the impression that they possess more appealing characteristics than their purebred counterparts.
But this new study appears to have debunked that belief.
Researchers surveyed the owners of more than 9400 cavoodles, labradoodles, cockapoos and their purebred progenitor breeds in the UK about their behaviour.
The survey included the Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ), which is used to analyse dog behaviour.
Researchers then compared the different breeds’ C-BARQ scores across a range of different behavioural traits.
The results showed that in nearly 45 per cent of cases, the “designer” crossbreeds had more undesirable behaviours than at least one of their progenitor breeds based on C-BARQ scores.
Just over nine per cent had fewer problem behaviours.
Cockapoos are the worst behaved of the bunch, scoring worse than their progenitor breeds in 16 out of 24 behaviours.
Common issues included owner-directed aggression, stranger-directed aggression, and excitability.
Cavoodles were next with a score of 11 out of 24, followed by labradoodles.
They scored worse than their progenitor breeds in five behaviours, but better in six.
Researchers have called for more research into and wider awareness of potential behavioural issues in ‘designer’ crossbreeds, especially as they remain so popular.
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