Kennel Club row over register of ‘designer dogs’

THE Kennel Club is embroiled in a row over whether ‘designer dogs’ such as cockapoos should officially be recognised.

The Crufts governing body is considering setting up a register of dogs that have become celebrity fashion accessories, such as cockapoos (a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle, pictured), labradoodles (labrador-poodle) and puggles (pug-beagle). Supporters say the register would enable it to regulate the ancestry, health and sale of crossbreeds, as it does for more than 200 purebreeds. But opponents say it could encourage unscrupulous breeders to charge vastly inflated prices for non-pedigree dogs.