This Boutique Dog Breed is Less Than 15 Years Old

While many established dog breeds stretch back hundreds and even thousands of years, several of today’s popular breeds only emerged within the last few decades. These newer breeds are usually created by intentionally crossing two existing breeds to produce specific traits. Mixed-breed dogs have always been around, but these “designer dog” breeds differ in that the parents are deliberately chosen and bred to produce certain characteristics in their offspring.

The cockapoo, a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle, is one of the earliest examples of a designer dog breed, originating in the United States during the 1960s. Soon after, the widespread popularity of the Labradoodle, a cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle, sparked a new age of various “doodle” breeds. Let’s explore some of these most recent designer dog breeds from oldest to the newest, along with their origin and why people love them!

15. Goldendoodle (1990s)

The Goldendoodle is one of the most recognized designer dog breeds today. A cross between a golden retriever and a standard poodle, the breed is meant to combine the golden’s calm and gentle nature with the poodle’s low-shedding coat.

Monica Dickens began intentionally breeding Goldendoodles as guide dogs back in the 1960s, but the breed’s popularity didn’t take off until Amy Lane established a formal Goldendoodle breeding program in the 1990s. Then in 2002, Lane created the mini goldendoodle by crossing a golden retriever with a miniature poodle.

14. Poochon (1990s)

The poochon is a cross between a bichon frisé and a toy or miniature poodle. It was developed in the 1990s when “doodle” breeds were on the rise, bred with the goal of creating and intelligent and loving companion dog. Originating in Australia, poochons are typically sweet and affectionate dogs who love to play. These cute designer dogs stand 9 to 15 inches tall and weigh 6 to 20 pounds.

13. Malshi (1990s)

The Malshi stands out for its non-American origin, having been developed in Australia during the 1990s. Breeders aimed to create a hypoallergenic lap dog, resulting in a designer breed known for its intelligence, affectionate nature, and big personality.

Standing between 10 and 11 inches and weighing just 6 to 8 pounds, Malshis have beautiful silky coats like their parents. Both parent breeds, the Maltese and the Shih Tzu, have ancient lineages stretching back thousands of years.

12. Chorkie (1990s)

The Chorkie is a pint-sized pup with a very big personality. This designer breed emerged in the 1990s when small companion dogs were all the rage. A cross between a Chihuahua and a Yorkshire terrier, Chorkies developed as a unique alternative to the popular Chihuahua.

Intelligent and easily trained, Chorkies are known for their playful nature and utmost devotion. They usually weigh around 10 pounds and stand between 6 and 9 inches tall. Their small size makes them easily portable, allowing owners to bring them along on outings.

11. Cavachon (Late 1990s)

The Cavachon, a cross between a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and a bichon frisé, was developed to create a small, trainable dog with fewer health issues than its purebred parents. It was first intentionally bred in 1996 and quickly gained popularity as a designer dog breed.

Cavachons thrive on companionship, enjoy playtime and training sessions, and love being by their owner’s side. Their small size also makes them well-suited for both houses and apartments.

10. Pomchi (1990s / Early 2000s)

The Pomchi, a popular designer pup from the 1990s and early 2000s, is a cross between a Pomeranian and a Chihuahua. This combination produces an affectionate, lively dog who is always eager to play.

Pomchis are intelligent and clever dogs who love being with their humans. Despite their small size, they can make excellent watchdogs as they are quick to alert their families with a warning bark. Pomchis are usually 5 to 8 inches tall and weigh only 3 to 7 pounds.

9. Yorkiepoo (1990s / Early 2000s)

The Yorkiepoo (or Yoodle) is a designer breed from the United States. Breeders intentionally cross a Yorkshire terrier with a miniature or toy poodle to create a small, low-shedding companion dog. These designer dogs are known for their intelligence and adaptability, making them great dogs for many types of lifestyles and families.

Yorkiepoos are usually 7 to 15 inches tall and weigh 3 to 15 pounds. They come in a wide range of colors and markings, and their hair can vary from curly or wavy to soft or straight depending on which traits they inherit from their parents.

8. Aussiedoodle (Late 1990s / Early 2000s)

Also known as the Aussiepoo, the Aussiedoodle is a cross of an Australian shepherd and a poodle. Depending on the size of the poodle parent, Aussiedoodles range from 30 to 70 pounds and stand 10 to 15 inches tall. This designer breed originated in the United States during the late 1990s and early 2000s alongside many other poodle crossbreeds. Aussiedoodles have curly or wavy coats of various colors.

7. Chiweenie (Late 1990s / Early 2000s)

The Chiweenie is another small designer dog that was popularized in the late 1990s and early 2000s. A charming cross between a Chihuahua and a miniature dachshund, this breed was developed to create a small, versatile companion with the affectionate nature of both parent breeds. Breeders also aimed to create a dog that looked like a dachshund but with less of an elongated body, which can cause back problems.

Chiweenies are tiny dogs that typically stand 8 to 10 inches tall and weigh between 5 and 12 pounds. Despite their petite frames, however, they are energetic and playful.

6. Shih-Poo (2000s)

The Shih-poo is a popular designer dog breed from the 2000s. The breed was developed to combine the affectionate companionship of the shih tzu with the poodle’s low-shedding coat and ease of training. Shih-poos can have many different coat types, from curly or straight to short or long. They typically stand between 8 and 18 inches tall and weigh 8 to 18 pounds.

Shih-poos thrive on human interaction and don’t like being left alone. Shih-poos prefer being with their owners whenever they can, whether cuddling or simply being in the same room together.

5. Morkie (2000s)

The Morkie is a delightful companion dog that combines the best traits of the Maltese and Yorkshire terrier into one small and adorable package. Originating in the 2000s, Morkies typically stand 7.5 to 10 inches tall. But despite their tiny size, they are surprisingly robust, blending the Yorkie’s tenacity with the Maltese’s sweet demeanor.

Both parent breeds have well-established histories dating back to at least the 1800s. Yorkshire terriers originated in Scotland and England and are known for their small size and feisty personalities. Maltese dogs, on the other hand, are an ancient breed by the Greeks, Romans, and Phoenicians for their gentle nature and playful personalities. As a result, Morkies are often playful and affectionate, adapting well to many different environments.

4. Bernedoodle (2003)

Like many dog owners, Sherry Rupke fell in love with the Bernese mountain dog but was concerned about the breed’s health issues and short lifespan. So, in 2003, she began breeding Bernese mountain dogs with poodles, hoping to mitigate some of the breed’s genetic weaknesses. The resulting Bernedoodles are energetic and athletic, with improved health compared to Bernese mountain dogs.

However, like other designer dog breeds, each Bernedoodle has its own unique personality and appearance, reflecting various traits they inherit from their parents. Generally, Bernedoodles are known for their minimal shedding, friendly and cheerful personalities, and loyal companionship.

3. Australian Cobberdog (2004)

The Australian cobberdog has a somewhat complicated history. In the 1980s, Labradoodles (a Labrador retriever and standard poodle cross) gained popularity in the United States due to their playful nature and robust health. Meanwhile, breeders in Australia began developing their own genetic lines of Australian Labradoodles. Although they sometimes incorporated American doodle lines, the major difference between the two was that Australian breeders focused on companionship and assistance dog qualities, aiming to create an ideal therapy dog. As such, they began including breeds like Irish water spaniels, curly-coated retrievers, and cocker spaniels in their breeding programs.

Then Beverly Manner came along, further refining her Australian Labradoodle line by adding Irish soft-coated wheaten terriers. This resulted in a distinct new breed, now known as the Australian cobberdog. The Australian cobberdog is now recognized as a “developing breed” by the Master Dog Breeders and Associates in Australia.

2. Pomsky (2010s)

The Pomsky, a relatively new designer dog breed, emerged in the 2010s, with the first intentional breeding in 2012. These cute pups are a cross between a Siberian husky and a Pomeranian — a challenging pairing often achieved through artificial insemination.

Pomskies often look like fluffy, miniaturized huskies, and many retain a puppy-like appearance even as adults. Unfortunately, they are also prone to inheriting genetic health issues from their parents, including epilepsy, patellar luxation, heart disease, hip dysplasia, and collapsing trachea.

1. Golden Mountain Doodle (2013)

Sherry Rupke — the same breeder who created the Bernedoodle — is the mastermind behind the golden mountain doodle. After developing the Bernedoodle, Rupke continued to research and refine her dog breeding, aiming to create the ideal alternative to the Bernese mountain dog. In 2013, she introduced the golden mountain doodle. This hybrid breed is a carefully balanced mix: 50% poodle, 25% golden retriever, and 25% Bernese mountain dog.

Golden mountain doodles are prized for their allergy-friendly coats, intelligence, calm demeanor, exceptional loyalty, and friendliness, effectively combining the most desirable traits of the three original parent breeds.