One of the newest trends in dog breeding today is the designer dog. Designer dogs often referred to as hybrids, have caught on with a growing number of pet owners. There is debate brewing over whether these designer pups are worth the price many folks are willing to pay.

Many breeders of purebred dogs are skeptical of the trend can contend that crossbreeding can result in medical and genetic problems. Supporters of the practice dismiss these concerns, with many hybrid breeders claiming that crossbred dogs are healthier than their purebred cousins.

As a consumer society, many people measure their social status by what they own. While most of us see a womans purse, others see a designer handbag. The same can be said for shoes, luggage and other personal accessories. Since a $50 suitcase performs the same function as a $500 Louis Vuitton designer suitcase, there seems to be little difference. An argument can be made that owning a designer suitcase is merely an attempt to create a self-image. The owner of the designer bag may argue that spending more money means getting a higher quality bag.

Now dogs are not handbags and dog breeding is a multi-billion dollar business, both in America and abroad. Dogs of all breeds enjoy a status similar to children in many homes and an entire industry has grown up around showing, grooming and caring for these special creatures. There are several large organizations that have taken the lead in defining the standard for what are considered recognized purebred dogs. These groups have a vested interest in maintaining control over defining the standards for purebred dogs.

What Is a Designer Dog?

The basic idea behind designer dogs involves the marriage of two distinct dog breeds. According to the American Canine Hybrid Club, breeders of designer dogs use a rating system to designate the generational breeding tree. For example, an F1 crossbreed results from the breeding of two purebred dogs. A popular type of hybrid breed is the Labradoodle, a cross breeding of a purebred Labrador retriever and a purebred Standard Poodle. The result of this F1 breeding is typically a curly-haired retriever.

Following the F type classification can get a little complicated. For example, an F1-B Labradoodle is a blend of 25 percent Labrador Retriever and 75 percent Standard Poodle. In other words, an F1 Labradoodle has been bred back to a Standard Poodle. As the breeding goes through additional stages the F classification changes yet again. An F2 classification is the breeding of two F1 dogs, in this case two Labradoodles. An F3 classification is the breeding of two F2 dogs. Finally, an F3 is a combination of two F2 dogs.

Canine Club Conflicts

It is important to note that the reigning kennel clubs do not recognize the current crop of designer or hybrid dog breeds. This is an interesting position since many of the currently recognized breeds are themselves creations of crossbreeding.

Some critics of the designer dog craze argue that dogs of mixed breeding are available at many local dog shelters. Claming that adoption fees at shelters are a fraction of the cost an owner may pay for a hybrid breed. Hybrid breeders counter that the lineage of adopted pound dogs cannot be traced and no better than adopting any other mutt. The money spent on a certified hybrid is worth it, citing the paper trail available on the lineage of hybrid dogs.

Adoption versus Breeding

Some advocates of canine adoption report that many dog shelters and pound rescue operations are near capacity, with more dogs being euthnized every year. This despite increased public education campaigns promoting adoption over breeding and increased efforts to get owners to spay and neuter their dogs. Breeders of purebred and designer dogs argue that they are merely responding to market demands, providing dog fanciers with a wider variety of options.

Owner Responsibilities

Whatever side of this intense debate people are on, there is no doubt that it will continue for the foreseeable future. Dog lovers have a responsibility to consider not only their own needs, but what is right for the dog. Every dog is an individual, even dogs of the same breed, though some have shared characteristics. Before choosing a dog, whether a purebred, hybrid or just an average mutt, be fully aware of the responsibilities of pet ownership and choose a dog that is right for you and your lifestyle. Just as important is to make sure you are right for the dog.Mitch Endick is a staff writer for the quality online store 100 percent Egyptian Cotton Sheets.com. 100 percent Egyptian Cotton Sheets.com offers quality bed sheets and linens made from 100 percent Egyptian Cotton. Visit 100PercentEgyptianCottonSheets.com today for all of your bedding needs.

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Great luggage is an invaluable accessory when it comes to making traveling easy and convenient. It’s important that you look beyond fashion when choosing your luggage and search for functional and dependable bags. Luggage should be made to last through many years of use. Less expensive bags are more likely to fall apart, and typically at the most inconvenient moment.

Choose bags that can be wheeled easily and are lightweight. However, they need to be strong. Be aware that your luggage won’t usually be handled with a lot of care while being transported. During transport, your bag could be at the bottom of a pile of heavy luggage. So you need to pay close attention to toughness and durability.

Buy luggage that features durable, well-made wheels, straps, and handles. Make sure they are securely attached to the bag and check out how easy they are to use.

Inspect the rollers at the bottom of the luggage. On quality bags these will be made from durable materials. If your suitcase has rollers made from cheap plastic, then it won’t roll as smoothly as it could and will be prone to tipping as you transport it.

The handle is another important consideration when purchasing luggage. If it’s a retracting handle, check to see that it moves smoothly and slides into place securely. Otherwise it could bend if it comes out during baggage handling.

Choose luggage with good quality zippers. If the zippers on your bags are of cheap metal construction, they’ll be more likely to pull apart at an inopportune time. Anything that puts pressure on the bag can cause the zipper to rip apart.

Examine the material the luggage is made of. Can it resist scratches and is it waterproof? Will it tear easily?

Before purchasing your luggage, think about your traveling style. Some people like to check their baggage, and others just throw a few things in a bag and carry it on with them into the cabin. As well, be aware of the size and weight, because the airlines have strict regulations for these factors.

When considering luggage, look for features that will help to organize your packing. An expandable bag is useful for longer trips or for bringing home any items you purchased while away. If you usually carry a couple of bags, a useful feature is a strap attachment that secures them together. Choose a model with lots of zippered compartments and pockets, and features that help to keep your clothes wrinkle free.

Luggage can be stylish, but it doesn’t have to be a fashion statement. Choose colors that are timeless not trendy. Luggage is typically used by more than one person in a household, so pick a style and color that everyone is comfortable with.

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Getting cool groomsmen gifts for your best buddies might seem like a hard task. But when you think about it, it could be really easy for you. After all, there is no one who knows these guys better than you do.

A few cool groomsmen gifts are personalized shot glasses and you could choose from among a variety of styles and sizes. This would be especially perfect if your groomsmen have been your drinking buddies for a long time. You could also engrave each of their names or initials on the glasses. If you want, you could also pair these shot glasses with their favorite bottles of liquor.

When my cousin got married, he gave various gadgets to his groomsmen. It seems like a good choice because guys really seem to love electronics. My cousin gave one of his groomsmen a digital camera because the guy was into traveling and photography. He told me that as with any gifts, such as an engraved silver pocket watch, groomsmen gifts need to be suitable to the recipient and something that they would cherish. Other gadget gifts include cell phones, electric staplers, key locators, and MP3 players.

Another cool groomsmen gift is memberships in the “Of the Month” clubs. For your coffee-lover friend, you could get him gourmet coffees and new flavors would be sent to his house each month. If your buddy loves premium wines, give him the wine of the month and he would surely appreciate it. These would be cool groomsmen gifts for your longtime friends since they would get to enjoy their gifts for an entire year or for six months, whichever length of time you choose.

When my brother-in-law married my sister, he gave one of his groomsmen some gift certificates to various stores his friend loves. He wanted to give his groomsman some flexibility to choose whatever it is that his buddy wants because he was having a hard time thinking up of the perfect gift for that particular guy. If you want to give your groomsmen the same gift, you could get them gift certificates. There are different shops nowadays that offer gift certificates such as sporting goods stores, bookstores, music and video stores, as well as grocery stores. Or you could give them concert or movie tickets, if they are into music or films. You could even place the gift certificates inside a brand new wallet for every groomsman.  And don’t forget about the ring bearer gifts for the little boy in your wedding.

You could also get all the guys for a weekend getaway. If you have enough funds, you could sponsor a vacation to express your thanks. You should schedule your trip no less than two weeks prior to your wedding. You could have a fun time at a golf resort, visit New York City, have a gambling spree in Las Vegas, or you could also just have a tranquil retreat to a quaint lodge in the woods. Whatever you decide to give your friends, just make sure that it is something that they would appreciate and something that could be deemed as cool groomsmen gifts.

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