Groundbreaking Study Exposes Behavioural Challenges in Popular Designer Dog Breeds
A comprehensive new study conducted by the Royal Veterinary College has delivered surprising findings about the behavioural characteristics of popular designer crossbreed dogs. The research, described as the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, reveals that mixed-breed dogs often display more undesirable behaviours than their purebred parent breeds.
Designer Crossbreeds Under Scientific Scrutiny
The investigation focused specifically on three increasingly popular designer crossbreeds commonly referred to as Doodles: Cockapoos, Labradoodles, and Cavapoos. These breeds have experienced a dramatic surge in popularity across Britain over the past decade, particularly since the pandemic period, with many now outnumbering their purebred parent breeds in registration numbers.
Dr Rowena Packer, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College and senior author of the paper, emphasized the importance of evidence-based expectations for prospective dog owners. "Realistic expectations are key to happy dog ownership," she stated. "When expectations and reality don't align, both dogs and owners can struggle. Preconceived beliefs, such as the idea that designer-crossbreeds are naturally easy to train or are safe with children, can have serious consequences if they aren't supported by evidence."
Research Methodology and Key Findings
The research team employed a substantial online survey methodology, collecting valid responses for 9,402 dogs across the United Kingdom. Behavioural assessment was conducted using the validated Canine Behavioural Assessment and Research Questionnaire, which quantifies diverse behavioural challenges including:
- Aggression towards owners and other dogs
- Fear and anxiety responses
- Separation-related problems
- Attention-seeking behaviours
The results revealed that designer Doodles differed from their purebred parents in approximately 54% of behavioural comparisons. Where differences were identified, Doodles showed more undesirable behaviours in 82% of comparisons. Some of the most common problematic behaviours included:
- Non-social fear responses to traffic and loud noises
- Separation-related problems including vocalisation and destructiveness
- High levels of excitability in response to stimulating events
Cockapoos Show Highest Levels of Problematic Behaviour
The study identified considerable variation between the three individual Doodle breeds, demonstrating that designer crossbreeds should not be treated as a single, uniform group in terms of behavioural characteristics. Cockapoos emerged as displaying the highest level of undesirable behaviours compared to their purebred parent breeds, exceeding that seen in both Cavapoos and Labradoodles.
Specifically, Cockapoos showed higher levels of aggressive behaviours, including owner-directed aggression and dog rivalry, than their purebred parents. This finding challenges common assumptions about these popular family pets and highlights the importance of breed-specific understanding.
Implications for Prospective Dog Owners
The Royal Veterinary College emphasized that these behavioural findings have real-world implications for dog ownership. Many owners experience difficulty when training their designer crossbreeds or feel trapped and unable to leave their dogs alone due to separation anxiety issues.
Professor Dan O'Neill, Professor of Companion Animal Epidemiology at the Royal Veterinary College and co-author of the paper, offered a historical perspective: "Humanity started inventing new dog breeds 200 years ago and we haven't stopped since. We are still learning from our mistakes as well as successes. This new paper shows that relying on the cute 'teddy bear' appearance of Doodles to assume these dogs behave like stuffed toys is just not safe. Looks can be deceiving – even in dogs."
Recommendations for Responsible Dog Acquisition
The research team identified that owners of designer Poodle-crossbreeds were more likely to rely on non-professional sources of training advice, such as social media platforms or recommendations from friends and family. These sources can be highly variable in quality and sometimes misleading according to the veterinary experts.
Gina Bryson, Research Assistant at the Royal Veterinary College and first author of the paper, highlighted the practical applications of the research: "This study highlights the importance for all prospective and current dog owners consulting reliable information sources pre-purchase to educate themselves on what to expect from different dog breeds, including crossbreeds. The immense popularity of Poodle crosses strongly suggests these dogs are here to stay and consequently, this paper is a timely resource."
The Royal Veterinary College recommends that prospective owners thoroughly research breed characteristics using reliable sources from behavioural professionals before acquiring any dog. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of meeting the biological parents of any puppy under consideration to assess parental behaviour prior to purchase.
This groundbreaking research expands upon previous Royal Veterinary College studies that revealed the physical health of common Doodles is broadly similar to that of their parent breeds. The new behavioural findings suggest that neither health nor behavioural advantages should be automatically assumed for Doodles simply because they are crossbreeds.
