The modern dog fancy is going through a continuous process of evolution, in which new genetic approaches come to coexist with traditional breeding models. In this context, the so-called Designer Dogs represent a segment already established in many parts of the world, with significant technical and market growth in recent decades.
IBC (International Breed Certificate), attentive to this global movement, officially introduces in Brazil the program of Designer Dogs, becoming the first Brazilian institution to structure and regulate this segment based on defined technical criteria, following a model already accepted in other countries.
Designer Dogs are founded on the application of the concept of heterosis (hybrid vigor), through planned crosses between purebred dogs, with the aim of combining specific phenotypic, functional and structural characteristics. It is therefore a breeding model guided by genetic planning, not by chance.
It is essential to establish the technical distinction between Designer Dogs and mixed-breed dogs. While the former result from structured crosses, with careful selection of breeding stock and predefined goals, the latter have uncontrolled ancestry, with no established genetic direction. This distinction is fundamental to a correct understanding of the segment.
The growth of Designer Dogs internationally is followed by organizations such as the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), and it is already considered within more traditional systems, such as The Kennel Club (UK), showing that this model is not an isolated trend, but a consistent evolution within the contemporary dog fancy.
IBC understands that the introduction of this segment in Brazil should take place in an organized, responsible and technically guided manner, establishing guidelines that include:
- rigorous selection of breeding stock
- health testing
- structured genetic planning
- clear definition of phenotypic and functional goals
It should be stressed that crossbreeding, by itself, does not represent genetic progress. Technical progress depends directly on the criteria applied to the crosses, on the quality of the dogs involved and on control over the development of the lines.
IBC acknowledges that Designer Dogs do not replace the traditional dog fancy, but now form a new field within dog breeding, one that requires proper regulation to avoid distortions and to ensure animal welfare and the genetic integrity of the projects.
Accordingly, the institution commits to acting as an organizing and guiding body for this segment in the country, aligning Brazil with international practices and establishing technical parameters for its responsible development.
Beatriz Taques
President · IBC
Veterinarian
