Also, just because a dog looks “designer” doesn’t mean it’s unhealthy. The Bichon Frise for example is pretty hardy and regularly live to 16, 17, or even longer without many long term health problems. Part of the reason is because they’re not a wildly popular dog breed and as a result they’re not overbred and their gene pool is pretty healthy. (I have a bichon, not like a PURE breed one with a certificate or anything, which is good, but no obvious signs of being a mix either. Not trying to sell you on the breed obviously but just wanted to use it as a counter example).
Not to indirectly defend designer dogs but I assure you selective dog breeding has always been pretty screwed up.
Not every dog is some kickass livestock guardian, they’ve been making screwed up ones since before the steam engine.
Wild that this was common.
Also, just because a dog looks “designer” doesn’t mean it’s unhealthy. The Bichon Frise for example is pretty hardy and regularly live to 16, 17, or even longer without many long term health problems. Part of the reason is because they’re not a wildly popular dog breed and as a result they’re not overbred and their gene pool is pretty healthy. (I have a bichon, not like a PURE breed one with a certificate or anything, which is good, but no obvious signs of being a mix either. Not trying to sell you on the breed obviously but just wanted to use it as a counter example).
Ehhhhh, anecdote of one over here that the Bichon I knew was a constant medical adventure