There was a report on the news a couple of months ago which said that the number of dogs brought to rescue is increasing significantly. It was interesting to note that the proportion of pedigree dogs being brought to rescue (as opposed to cross-breeds and mongrels) is also increasing. The reason the RSPCA gave for this increase in pedigree dogs is the credit crunch.

It saddens me too that people follow fashion in such a fickle way with a dog.
I'd love to see more celebs getting rescues - and making a big thing of sticking by them to the end.
As for the moneymakers..

Sorry....dont want to disagree with everyone.....BUT, dont you think that these same people just get ANY dog on a wim or as a fashion acces...so be it designer, pure bred , mutt whatever... these people just are'nt responsible people and dont think about the reasposibillity of owning a dog fullstop?????
I do agree..that certain so called "stars" have made it SEEM glamaours to have a so called designer breed.
But it has happened with loads of breeds of dogs....
eg ****zu...gerri hallewli...paris hilton....Chihuaha
or macho dogs on rap vidz....dobes,rotties,staffy,american bulldogs, german sheps?????
I understand what everyones saying...BUT this sort of thing goes on with all dogs... fullstop!
Them people buy them on a wim or because they see them on"t.v" and they get them and then dont want to deal with all the problems, time and care all dogs need!
I really do think people need to stop with all this cross breed buissness and see, that it is a DOG issue...ped, designer breed, crossbred...whatever.
Stupid people will buy any type of dog that they want as a iteam or accessories be it ped or crossbreed!
Its not just cross breeds that people buy as such...peds are brought, used and dumped in the same way...

And I know people on here are not gona like what Im saying....But, I own a first genartion cross and he is the best dog in the world....and I dont understand why everyone on here gives them a hardtime!
All of my dogs bro and sis are still with there first home...we see each other all the times on walks none of them are in shetlers???
And there is two breeders were we live 1...Black lab and 1...Staffy and both of them have had pups given back ...Because the people couldnt cope or didnt know what owning a dog intails!

Dont you think that is... just stupid people getting a dog and not wanting or understanding the hard work and time they command????

Sorry.... I own a cross breed or so called designer breed and I DIDNT get him as a statement or fashion acces!
Sorry peeps rant over...But I have to say what Im feeling and thats it.

I saw this too and thought how irresponsible they were

but lets not forget its not just designer breeds touted by celebs, on a thread when I was talking about a pug , while looking up images I saw magazine covers of the likes of Jessica Alba, Denise Richards and a few others with pugs - this isnt a problem just specific to designer breeds as I think a toy pedigree breed is a designer breed like a cross breed is - i got a cavalier, I didnt get it for a function, I got it cos its a lap dog and IMO one of the prettier ones so I plump for aesthetics in my toy dog, doesnt everyone to a certain extent?

But I feel their is a big difference between a celeb buying a pet and then being photographed and a programme having a feature on a cross (dach, chi). There was no balanced viewpoint being given only how cute the puppy was but arent all pups If any research had been carried out then they should have been aware that this is not a breed as Judy called it (in fairness the breeder did correct her) and that rescues are bursting at the seems with lovely crosses (as well as pedigrees).

You have hit the nail on the Head with his one LH .

i agree - the designer breeds are the buzz at the moment, but that will pass, but as someone pointed out in an earlier thread that is just one part of the problem. People will ALWAYS see celebs as role models ( not everyone thank god ) and if that celeb has a pedigree dog they may want to imitate them. But its always been there. 101 dalmations comes out and a year later theres lots of homesless dalmations, people watch I am Legend and the next ting they have a GSD they dont know what to do with ( I reseached mine thoroughly, but youre never quite prepared ) - i think the dumbing down of the media is whats a problem and in a world driven unfortunately by commercialism and materialism, with stupid presenters at the wheel, there is always going to be a car crash around the corner.
On the flip side there are also a number of celebs championing dogs in a constructive way, Chris Evans for alll is thoughts seems to be a responsible dog owner, his dogs are well trained and he seems quite dedicated to them - walk around discover dogs and you will also see people doing their bit for good causes and also a number of celebs will take dogs from shelters as well.

i agree whole heartedly

i've a 1st X but i dont see her as a 'designer breed' she's a mutt, mongrel etc.
its the press (again) that termed the ill conceived name that set the GP off wanting these crosses and being daft enough to pay the high prices for them.
if they were advertised as crosses the hysteria over them would never have happened, nor the prices.

there are loads of people on here that have mutts and see them as just that.
its the name which people get cross about ( excuse the pun )