I thought I'd heard it all. First we had the little-dog mixes: Cockapoos, Pekeapoos and the like. Then the so-called designer breeds came along. One of the latest breeds to be tapped for this craze is my beloved Siberian-which I had for over forty years. The Siberian Husky is being crossed with other breeds such as the Chow Chow ("Chusky") and the Pomeranian ("Pomsky".)

"How cute!" People cry. "I want one!"

Do you, really?

This is a classic example of why dog breeding should be left to Breeders (capital "B"), who commit themselves to the protection and betterment of their breed. These devoted individuals are not breeding for one trait-"cute"-but for an overall sound, healthy dog.

Most novices would protest, "So am I!" Do they know what quality breeding even means? Probably not.

These latest northern breed crosses are an excellent example of why this practice is so objectionable. Not that the average person would be aware, but the Siberian has the potential for three inherited eye problems: PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), corneal dystrophy, and juvenile cataracts. In the case of eye and other genetic defects for which genetic testing is available, Show Breeders test their breeding stock and eliminate any affected individuals from their breeding program. These Breeders remove dogs that are not directly affected but are carriers of the gene from their pool of stud dogs and brood bitches as well. Do you see a great divide beginning to form between real Breeders and "backyard breeders"?

To make matters worse, some Chow Chows also have cataracts (as do some Pomeranians) or corneal dystrophy. So breeding a Siberian to a Chow Chow or Pomeranian doubles the chances of cataracts (and, in the Siberian-Chow Chow mix, corneal dystrophy). Chows and Poms potentially share other eye defects such as entropion (turning in of the eyelids). So a greedy breeder putting a Siberian together with a Chow or Pom, either for the fun of it or to make money or both, risks producing puppies that can go blind eventually. Is it fair to produce blind dogs? Do you want one? Cataracts can be surgically removed, of course, but do you want to incur the cost of the surgery?

There's more. Siberians are a medium-boned dog with great reach (stretch) in the front and drive (power) in the rear. Their front legs extend well in front of them when they move, and their rear legs out behind. But the Chow Chow has heavy bone and a breed-specific, stilted gait. Blending these two very different-structured, different-moving dogs could create a host of orthopedic issues in the puppies.

Do you see where this is going now? No one breeding these mixes is giving any thought to the problems they are creating.

Anyone planning a litter must consider the well-being of the puppies, and any dogs they go on to produce.

How is this done?

(1) Know the genetic faults in your breed.
(2) Know the genetic faults in the prospective stud dog's and brood bitch's lines.
(3) Know the genetic faults in the stud dog and brood bitch themselves.
(4) Do any genetic testing available on the stud dog and brood bitch.
(5) Refrain from breeding any dog or bitch that exhibits, or is a carrier of, a genetic fault.

Knowledgeable breeders have their breeding stock certified clear of inheritable eye diseases by the Canine Eye Research Foundation (CERF) and the dogs' hips and elbows free of dysplasia through the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), for example.

Too much trouble, you say? Too expensive? Then do not breed your dog. (And if you are a dog lover thinking of getting one of the new mixed-breed dogs... don't.)

It is selfish, thoughtless and cruel to mix breeds just to see what you get, because what you get is a mess. Some of these defects might not show up for weeks, months or years, causing heartache and expense for dog owners down the road.

Don't go down that road.

Would you like a blind dog? One with orthopedic problems? Or perhaps both? This is what you may be facing if you get one of the new, fad breed mixes: the "Pomsky" (Pomeranian-Siberian Husky cross) or the "Chusky" (Chow Chow-Siberian Husky cross). They may be cute, but they are a heartbreak waiting to happen.