A Mongrel By Any Other Name

Dear Dog Lady,

This woman I work with has gotten one of these designer breed dogs. I think it’s a shih-poo, which sounds disgusting. All this person does is brag about her dog and when another co-worker cracked about how it was really a mutt instead of a pure-bred, the woman looked like she was going to break down in tears – as if she had bought a Prada pocketbook from a street vendor and found out it was a fake. Isn’t a shih-poo a mutt?

Jessica, New York, NY

Yes, Jessica, a mongrel by any other name is a shih-poo, or a labradoodle, or a puggle, or any other chic cross-breed. But why burst this woman’s bubble? She must have paid top dollar for this poodle-shih tzu blend, and she’s protecting her investment.

Internet jokesters make fine sport of creating faux exotic new breeds. Here are a few of the funnier ones: Collapso – a cross between collie and lhasa apso – folds for easy transport; Poinsetter -- a pointer and setter – makes a lovely Christmas pet; and Newfound Asset Hound – a mix of Newfoundland and basset hound -- is a must-have companion for a hedge fund tycoon.

Posted by Dog Lady at May 25, 2007 12:22 PM