Study Finds Designer Crossbreed Dogs Exhibit More Problem Behaviors than Pure Breeds

A recent study conducted by Gina Bryson and colleagues from the Royal Veterinary College, U.K., reveals that three types of "designer" crossbreed dogs—cockapoos, cavapoos, and labradoodles—exhibit more undesirable behaviors compared to at least one of their purebred parent breeds. This study was published in the open-access journal PLOS One.

The focus of the study was on popular crossbreeds formed by mixing purebred poodles with cavalier King Charles spaniels, Labrador retrievers, and cocker spaniels. The rise in popularity of such crossbreeds is partly due to a common belief that they possess more favorable traits, such as being easier to train and better with children. However, there has been limited research to support these notions.

To investigate, Bryson and her team analyzed survey data from U.K. dog owners, studying a total of 9,402 dogs, including both crossbreeds and their purebred counterparts. The survey utilized the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) to evaluate behavioral traits.

The findings indicated that in 44.4% of comparisons, crossbreeds showed more undesirable behaviors than their purebred progenitors. Conversely, in 9.7% of instances, crossbreeds exhibited fewer issues, while no significant differences were observed in 45.8% of comparisons.

Among the crossbreeds, cockapoos were found to have the most problematic behaviors, scoring worse than their purebred ancestors in 16 out of 24 evaluated traits, including owner-directed aggression and excitability. Cavapoos showed worse results than their progenitors in 11 traits, such as excitability and separation anxiety, while labradoodles had poorer scores in five traits but performed better in six, showing less aggression overall compared to purebred poodles.

The research advocates for greater awareness around potential behavioral challenges of crossbreed dogs to enhance dog welfare and promote safe, enjoyable pet ownership. Further studies are needed to gain more insights into the behavioral patterns of crossbreed dogs.