Cross Breeds - Why, when or who made these "designer" labradoodles and other strange cross breeds so popular?

Why, when or who made these "designer" labradoodles and other strange cross breeds so popular?

Ok so I am a giant breed lover and I am also in the Uk where these cross breeds are perhaps not quite so popular YET, but why did cross breed mutts(loveable as mutts can be) seem to became the fashion all of a sudden. They went from pound dogs to big bucks over night, ok the customers created this but why?

Public Comments

don't know, because they're very ugly. adopt a mutt, it will live longer. trust me.
No clue. I personally think that most of them are ugly. I think that if someone wants a mutt, they should go to the shelter.
The Labradoodle was first deliberately bred in 1989, when Australian breeder Wally Conron first crossed the Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle for Guide Dogs Victoria. His aim was to combine the Poodles' low-shed coat with the gentleness and trainability of the Labrador, in order to provide a guide dog for the blind with less shedding, and hence more suitable for people with allergies to fur and dander.
Pure stupidity, something new, and they had more money than good sense...so they caused the fad to get popular. get a rescue dog or a shelter dog, they are more lovable and will live longer, because they are healthier
They are very popular in the US and expensive. I don't know why, but the labradoodles and goldendoodles are absolutely adorable!
From what I have gathered, crossing labs and poodles began in australia to make hypoallergenic service dogs. However, people got this idea into their heads that doodles=$ and began to breed. They would give the puppies to petstores where celebs would buy on a whim. When people saw these celebs with these dogs, the demand went up...the quality went down, and the rest is history. People should buy from reputable breeders or go to shelters...these "things" are just..................(cant find the right word)
Because Americans are easily suckered if you ask me. Telling people they can have a dog that doesn't shed is a pipe dream but many people believe it. Many allergens are also located in a dogs saliva so the 'anti-allergy' angle being used doesn't fly either. Many, many of the people buying these mixed breed dogs actually think they are buying a BREED!! I've met a few personally. They are shocked when you tell they just paid hundreds for a mutt. People in the US also want to have the 'newest' and 'coolest' even in the spectrum of pets. Dalmations were popular after the movie and then hundreds ended up in shelters b/c the people getting those dogs didn't bother to learn about the breed. They bought based on looks and the movie. It's sad but many people buy what they want without ever thinking of the consequences.
Don't know when or why they interbred them but I do know that they are brilliant dogs for helping kids with Autism just like a guide dog for the blind. The Irish Guides Dogs Society train them and give them away to deserving kids for free. Any donations are gratefully accepted.
Because "Labradoodle" sounds so much more upscale than "mutt".
It is a fad that shows up ever so often. Last time, back in the 70's, it was Poodle crosses, you know the cockapoo, so on and so forth and you still see one ever so often. Eventually these will die off too!!!!!!!!!
i watched crufts maybe a year back and the labradoodle was on, there was a segment about labradoodles as guide dogs as they molt less (suiting people with allergies) but have a similar temperament to Labrador's so would be suitable for the job. just had a look on guidedogs.org and they are being used as guidedogs! its nice to see a breed being used for some good instead of being created just to look pretty!
My dog's a Collialsation. Possibly.
its a fad we are all humans of course
People with £ in their eyes out to make money out of muts
More and more people want a pedigree lookalike without the full expense of buying pedigree. In the case of many of these designer dogs, like labradoodles ,they were bred for owners with allergies to pet hair, and as working dogs for allergy sufferers.
one of my neighbours breeds these labradoodles and sells them at £800 each, plus she breeds cats and is on Benefits!!! she sells these dogs as 'non shedding' and 'hypoallergenic'. she sees it as easy money and the stupid thing is, people pay it. I dont know why they are so popular and they are over priced. more money than a full pedigree dog-in the admag i have seen labradoodles, cockapoo,shih-poo, cresterpoo, chorkies My mum has a cross breed pup but she was given it. she is collie cross alsation- hey she has a collsation!!!
im not sure but i dont like them i think they are ugly my friend has a labradoodle and he moults terrible