Purebreds and inbreeds often carry
genetic disease. Heterosis is a theory, where the phenomenon of crossing two inbred lines
can produce descendants with superior genetic foundation. In addition to the absence of inbreeding depressing, present in inbreed and purebred dogs in general, there is some remote inbreeding in any breed. Heterosis is also produced by over dominance, i.e. better combined function of two diverse genes (alleles) on a gene site (locus), compared to two identical (but harmless) ones. This increased
health and vigor does not create a superior breed, but the advantages
obtained from it are what produce hybrid vigor. This goal in this scenario
is not to create a new breed, but to create a happy and healthy pet.
Heterosis effect results in a healthier, more vigorous dog with a reduced chance of genetic disease. It is well known in all domestic animal breeding, hybrids, 50%-50% mixes of two different breeds, will raise the chances of having less genetic diseases because all doubling of detrimental effects will stop in the first generation. The genetic term for this is HETEROSIS EFFECT. This effect often gives non-related individuals stronger descendants than inbreeds.
Breeders who breed these hybrid dogs have stated
their goal was to get healthy and happy dogs without genetic
problems. Most breeders crossing with the poodle are looking
for a soft silky non-shedding coat good for allergy
sufferers.
The purpose of these hybrids
is not and should never be to develop a new breed. Once one goes beyond first
generation purebred to purebred, you loose the heterosis effect, which is
the goal for most hybrid breeders. The mother should
always be the bigger of the two, to avoid puppies getting too big and
complicating the delivery for the mother. It is only in this first first generation that the dogs could get the benefit of the greatly demanded HETEROSIS effect, and
avoid genetic diseases which are common among purebreds and inbreeds.
