History
In the 1990s, designer dog crosses gained in popularity due to their resistance to the genetic disorders that were cropping up in increasing numbers of purebred dogs. Frenchton puppies are a relatively new cross resulting from the mix between the French bulldog and the Boston terrier. The goal was to increase the stamina of the French bulldog and increase the mass of the Boston terrier, which is effectively done by crossing these two purebred dogs. However, it should be noted that the offspring may more closely resemble one parent or the other, and all of the puppies from a given litter may not look alike. It is because of this genetic instability that the designer dog crosses are not able to be registered as a new breed in and of themselves. Not until many generations of the dog are bred can the breeder expect the genetic stability inherent in purebred animals.Appearance
As with all designer dog crosses, there is a lot of genetic variability present in the offspring. The ideal cross between the French bulldog and the Boston terrier results in a dog with the slighter frame and athleticism of the Boston terrier with the sturdy bone structure of the French bulldog. The buggy eyes of the Boston terrier are also reduced, so the offspring does not have the bulging eyes characteristic of the Boston terrier. They have short hair, and they shed very little.Personality and Temperament
Designer dog crosses will exhibit the characteristics of both of the parent breeds to varying degrees. In general, Frenchbo puppies crave human companionship. They make great pets, and they love children. They can be quite energetic and playful at times, but they also love to cuddle with their human owners.Grooming
The grooming of Frenchbo puppies is relatively simple. Because they have quite short hair, they do not require regular brushing. You may bathe your Frenchbo puppy less frequently if you wipe your dogs coat regularly with a damp cloth. Your puppys nails should be clipped regularly, approximately every two weeks. Additionally, you should brush your dogs teeth on a regular basis to avoid tooth decay.Health
One of the main problems experienced by French bulldogs is related to the respiratory system. By crossing the French bulldogs with the Boston terrier, these respiratory limitations are lessened, and the offspring have more stamina than French bulldogs. However, the genetic problems experienced by both the French bulldog and the Boston terrier can crop up in subsequent generations. Life expectancy for Frenchbos is approximately 12 to 15 years. Frenchbo puppies are a designer mix that in many cases combines the best of both purebred parents. The offspring tends to be healthier than the purebred parents, although genetic abnormalities can crop up in future generations. Frenchbo tend to be more massive than a Boston terrier, but they retain the energy and athleticism of the Boston. They have reduced respiratory problems when compared with the French bulldog, and they experience fewer eye problems than the Boston terrier. Overall, Frenchbo tend to be social animals that make great family pets.Designer Dogs
(Hybrid Dogs)
Designer Dog?? What the heck is a designer dog you ask??
A "designer" dog (as the media has labeled them) is a cross between two purebred dogs.
A purebred dog is one that has been bred over many generations to breed true.
Meaning each puppy that is born looks and has the same temperament and characteristics as one another.
In most cases a standard is written and breeders must follow this written standard. Only dogs which make the written standard are to be bred. Purebred dogs are beneficial in that, when you buy a purebred dog you know what you are getting. You know how big your puppy will grow and you know basically what type of temperament and care the dog will need. You know the dogs limits, whether it is capable of agility, hunting, search and rescue, police work, herding, flock guardian, or just simply a companion dog. You have a pretty good idea if the dog will be good with your kids, you know if they will have a tendency to wander or if they will stick close to home. You have a pretty good idea if they will like strangers, or if they will fear them.
When one breeds purebred dogs great care must be taken to insure the lines to not become too thin.
Even with all the best DNA testing available, genetic problems can occur. To give you a simple analogy, let's say there was a law passed that stated only people with red hair and green eyes with a high IQ could have children, with the end goal, everyone in the USA to be smart with red hair and green eyes. If this were to happen, as you can imagine, our gene pool would eventually become thin, and many genetic problems would occur.
What's the difference between a designer dog and a mutt?
Generally, a mutt is of uncertain ancestry.
A designer dog has documented purebred ancestry, and one knows for sure what it is.
So what's up with these hybrid, "designer" dogs? Are they healthier? Hybrid dogs can still have genetic problems because you are still crossing two first generation dogs, however the percentage of hybrid dogs with genetic problems is much lower than purebred dogs because the gene pool is mixed.
Breeders who breed purebred to purebred creating a first generation hybrid believe in the heterosis effect and hybrid vigor. Vigor means, "Physical or mental strength, energy, or force." Unlike purebred dogs, when you adopt a hybrid, you do not know exactly what the temperament, size of the dog, or exact look of the dog will be.
When you breed two different types of purebred dogs together you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. If you are stuck on a hybrid dog how do you know which one to choose? Read the temperament and care for both breeds in the cross and be prepared for any combination of the two. If everything about both breeds matches you and your families personality and lifestyle, than you can most likely assume this cross will work for you. If there is ANYTHING about either breed in the cross that you do not feel matches what you are looking for, avoid that cross. Do not assume or take the chance that only the good characteristics will emerge. You may be in for a big surprise and it is not fair to the puppy to chance that.
It is also important to be aware; not all of these designer hybrid dogs being bred are 50% purebred to 50% purebred. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses.
While a simple F1 generation cross is said to produce the most hybrid vigor in the dog and the further down the multi-generation chain, the more vigor is lost in the hybrid; there are some benefits to multi-generation crossing. If you want to greater your chances of certain traits, such as Bulkier body types and Flatter faces, sometimes it is necessary to move further down the generation chain, risking less vigor.
F1 = 1st generation puppy ( 50% purebred-A and 50% purebred-B).
- A French Bulldog to Boston Terrier cross, this is first generation, resulting in healthier offspring.
F1b = backcross puppy (25% purebred-A and 75% purebred-B).
- A F1 FrenchBo and French Bulldog cross; this is a FrenchBo bred back to a French Bulldog, Heavier Body types and flatter faces are more prevelant.
F2 = second generation puppy ( F1 hybrid crossed with an F1 hybrid )
- A F1 FrenchBo crossed with an F1FrenchBo).
This combination you get the same percentage of purebred-A as purebred-B as you would an F1 hybrid.
F2b = second generation backcross puppy = F1 bred to a F1b (hybrid backcross)
F3 = F2 hybrid to F2 hybrid
Multi-generation = F3 or higher generation hybrid crossed with F3 or higher generation hybrid
To sum things up
Purebred-A x Purebred-B = F1 Hybrid Dog
F1 x Purebred-A = F1b Hybrid Dog
F1 x F1 = F2 Hybrid Dog
F1 x F1b = F2b Hybrid Dog
F2 x F2 = F3 Hybrid Dog