No, I don’t like your Doodle: The real cost of designer breeds 

“Man’s best friend” has had a strange rebrand as of late. Seemingly, what people really want isn’t a loyal companion anymore, but a four-legged status symbol. Dogs have gone from loyal members of our families to commodities, and while people scroll through websites like “Dazzling Doodles Co.,” shelters across the country are beyond their capacity. The truth is simple: every designer puppy bought is another shelter dog left behind. 

In 2024, shelters in the United States took in over 2.8 million dogs, and of those dogs, more than 600,000 were euthanized due to facilities not having enough room. These were not “bad dogs.” They weren’t rabid, they weren’t aggressive; they were healthy and adoptable — guilty only of running out of their allotted shelter time. So where are they all coming from? Every year in the U.S., an estimated 2 million dogs are purchased from breeders, even as shelters overflow. 
 
The main contributor is irresponsible ownership. People often buy “cute” breeds without researching their behavioral needs. Dogs bred for specific tasks have a higher stimulus demand, and when left without enough activity, tend to develop destructive and aggressive behaviors. Another example is the “pandemic puppy” crisis. During quarantine, when people were stuck at home, dogs were bought in record numbers. As routines have returned to normal, many of these puppies, now adults, are being surrendered. Sadly, their owners no longer have the time or commitment to care for them. Add unneutered dogs producing unwanted litters, impulse purchases, and gifted dogs into the mix, and the shelters become overwhelmed. When put into this situation, shelters are forced to make life-or-death decisions simply because there isn’t enough room to house them. 

Despite all of this, the dog-breeding industry continues to mass-produce puppies as if nothing is wrong. People are pointing fingers at backyard breeders and puppy mills, and they’re certainly part of the problem, however, the so-called “responsible” breeders are by far the biggest contributor. With every “rare color” or “fluffy variant” litter of puppies, a dog who could have been adopted is euthanized. Selective breeding for exotic looks also comes at the cost of their welfare. Chronic respiratory issues, hip dysplasia, neurological disorders and increased cancer risk are all more common in purebred dogs. 
 
Your doodle is no exception. Labradoodles, goldendoodles, cockapoos; these half-poodle hybrids have become the latest craze. People line up to pay upwards of $4,000 for a glorified mutt. But behind the hype, these dogs often face serious health and behavior challenges. Unsurprisingly, countless doodles end up in shelters–and nearly 60% of U.S. shelters report rising surrenders of designer dogs. French bulldogs, teacup chihuahuas and other “status” dogs, those which have come to be used as a symbol of wealth, are also facing the same treatment. 

There are rare exceptions when breeding can be necessary. Service dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and livestock guardians fall into this category, purposefully bred to work. However, these cases are extraordinary and fundamentally separated from the designer-dog industry that is currently filling shelters in the United States. 

So no, I don’t like your doodle. I don’t care that it comes from a fancy breeder, or that it has a new blue-grey-purple color variation. Until shelters are empty, there’s no excuse for breeding more dogs to satisfy trends, looks, or aesthetics. If you want a specific breed, check your local shelter or rescue because every type of dog exists somewhere, waiting for a home. Reports say over 30% of shelter dogs are purebred, and countless more are mixes with the same temperament, size, and energy levels you’re looking for. 

Every litter bred for profit treats living dogs as commodities, while millions of them languish and die in overcrowded shelters. Reject the consumer dog culture. Adopt, don’t shop. Recognize that “man’s best friend” deserves better than to be reduced to a product. Until we do, every new puppy is a reminder that a life has been lost to a concrete cage, and that the dog you think you need is probably already waiting for you.