More 'designer' dogs abandoned

A growing number of so-called "designer" cross breed dogs are being dumped, according to a leading animal charity.

Dogs Trust says some breeds made fashionable by celebrities are now appearing all too often at its shelters.

The organisation is worried people want to be like stars and so get the same dogs as they have.

However they dump their new pet when it's too hard to care for.

In particular Dogs Trust shelters across the UK say they're beginning to see labradoodles - a cross breed which combines a labrador and a poodle.

Novelty value

Labradoodles have become increasingly popular since stars like Jennifer Aniston, Tiger Woods and Perez Hilton got them.

Other breeds affected include 'puggles', 'cock-a-Poos', and 'schnoodles'.

Clarissa Baldwin, the chief executive of the Dogs Trust, said: "People look at the front page of their newspapers and see their celebrity idol with their trophy dog and feel that they must have one too.

"Trouble is that the poor dog is thrown out when the novelty has worn off or perhaps the fashion changes.

"Its absolutely shocking. These are living sentient creatures. They are not to be bought and thrown away in a cupboard when you don't want them anymore or taken down to a charity shop."

Nine-month-old 'Neebles' was left at a centre in Roden near Telford.

Bad sign?

He had been owned by a single mum who quickly decided he was too much of a handful.

With a glossy coat - and a tail which just won't stop wagging - it's easy to see why he and labradoodles like him are being snapped up by celebrities and the public alike.

But his appearance at the centre is an ominous sign for manager Louise Campbell.

She said: "I hope this isn't the start of a trend of this designer breed coming through rescue centres."

But according to Dogs Trust head office, from a total of none a few years ago, labradoodles are now making increasingly regular appearances at its 17 kennels across the UK.

To some extent people have apparently always tried to get the pets that famous people have.

But the problem today is that many of these dogs are now cross breeds which don't have the same breeding regulations that pedigrees do.

Louise Campbell explained: "If you've got pedigree dogs you're regulated with the Kennel Club and there's restrictions on the number of litters a bitch can have and the age you can start breeding from.

"But my concern is that with any designer cross breed there's profiteering out there. And a lot of people will jump on that bandwagon.

'Throwaway society'

"If the Beckhams went out and bought a labrador, then there would be a huge increase in the demand for labrador puppies.

"Then people would jump on the band wagon and start (breeding). But you flood the market eventually. What happens to all these surplus dogs after the demand has been filled?

"They end up here I'm afraid."

She added: "We are a throwaway society sadly. But we don't want any more dogs being taken on for the wrong reasons, we want them taken on by families as a lifetime commitment for the lifetime of that dog."

Clarissa Baldwin says she has a message for anyone thinking of getting a dog as a fashion statement: "Don't."

She added: "Why not go and buy a new handbag or a pair of shoes, but leave the sentient beings alone."

Dogs Trust