The Cavachon is one of the smaller designer crossbreeds and while more common in the US, is slowly growing in popularity around the world. The breeds that make up the Cavachon are the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise.

The Cavachon can be a first cross (with one Cavalier and one Bichon parent) or they can be bred back to one of the original breeds or be two Cavachons bred together - so there are varieties in size, shape, colours and coat types but in all cases, this is a small companion dog.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Don't mind
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Affectionate, intelligent and with a lot of things to bark about, the Yorkipoo is one of the smaller designer crossbreeds that will feel at home even in the smallest apartment. While still not common in the UK, this crossbreed is growing in popularity due to their fun-loving personality and cute looks. The breeds that make up the Yorkipoo are the Yorkshire Terrier and the Poodle (Toy or sometimes Miniature).

The Yorkipoo can be a first cross (with one Yorkshire Terrier and one Poodle parent), they can be bred back to one of the original breeds - either size of Poodle - or be two Yorkipoos bred together. This means there are varieties in size, shape, colours and coat types, but in all cases this is a small companion dog.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Puggle is one of the many designer crossbreeds that has become popular in the US and is slowly growing in popularity around the world. The breeds that make up the Puggle are two fun-loving canines, the Pug and the Beagle. With such adorable parents, the Puggle is bound to inherit some of their good looks and traits.

However, when it comes to Puggle dogs, there are plenty of varieties in size, shape and colours, depending on how they’ve been bred. The Puggle can be a first cross (with one Beagle and one Pug parent), they can be bred back to one of the original breeds or be two Puggles bred together.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

The Schnoodles are dogs that come in many guises, but are always a joy to have around. The breeds that make up the Schdoodle are the Schnauzer (Miniature, Standard or Giant) and the Poodle (Toy, Miniature or Standard).

Given that any of the three sizes of Schnauzer can be used and any of the three sizes of Poodle, the result is a happy and quick-witted crossbreed in pretty much any size and with a variety of temperaments and behaviours.

The Schdoodle can be a first cross (with one Schnauzer and one Poodle parent), they can be bred back to one of any of the sizes of the original breeds, or be two Schdoodles bred together.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Don't mind
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The breeds that make up the Bernedoodle are the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Standard Poodle, but sometimes a Miniature Poodle is used to produce a smaller dog. The aim of this cross is to get a Bernese Mountain Dog type with the enchanting natures of both, that doesn’t shed or drool so much and lives longer.

In theory, the Bernedoodle can be a first cross (with one Bernese Mountain Dog parent and one Poodle parent), can be bred back to one of the original breeds or be two Bernedoodles bred together. In reality, this is a rare cross and as such is usually a first cross only (F1), so there is slightly more consistency in size, shape and temperament - but this depends on the breeder as such crossbreeds are often produced irresponsibly from ‘less than great’ parents or even parents of dubious breeding themselves.

If you are considering this cross, make sure you buy a puppy from a responsible and ethical breeder.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Giant dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Don't mind
• Don't mind
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• Great family dog

The Sheepadoodle is a great dog to be around and will no doubt charm everyone in the family with their smarts and good looks. The breeds that make up the Sheepadoodle are Old English Sheepdog and the Standard Poodle, two friendly and playful dogs that pass on plenty of their good traits to the Sheepadoodle puppy. The aim of this cross is to get an Old English Sheepdog type that doesn’t shed and includes the characteristics of the Poodle. Sometimes a Miniature Poodle is used to produce a smaller dog but this is rarer.

Depending on how they have been bred, there are varieties in size, shape, coat types and temperaments. In theory, the Sheepadoodle can be a first cross (with one Old English Sheepdog parent and one Poodle parent) or can be bred back to one of the original breeds or be two Sheepadoodles bred together.

In reality, this is a very rare cross (usually a first cross only), so there is slightly more consistency in size, shape and temperament. However, this depends on the breeder, so make sure you look out for those breeders that breed them responsibly and ensure all parents are health tested.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking one to two hours a day
• Large dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Don't mind
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

If you’re looking for an active, fun toy dog that doesn’t need much exercise and doesn’t shed as much coat, the Pomapoo might be the one for you.

The Pomapoo is one of the smaller designer crossbreeds and while still not common in the UK, it is one of the many companion breed crosses growing in popularity. And for good reason. The breeds that make up the Pomapoo are two adorable toy dogs: the Pomeranian and the Toy Poodle.

The Pomapoo can be a first cross (with one Pomeranian and one Poodle parent, they can be bred back to one of the original breeds, or be two Pomapoos bred together (although in-breeding can be an issue in this case). This means that there are varieties in shape, colours and coat types, but in all cases this crossbreed is all about very small and friendly companion dogs.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Chow Chow is a small, compact dog with an apparently square stature. The tail is curved over the back. The inside of the mouth and the tongue have a blue / black color. There are two types of coat - rough and silky - and a wide variety of colors (black, red, blue, fawn, cream or white). Adult males measure 48-56 cm and weigh about 26-32 kg. Adult females measure 46-51cm and weigh 20-25kg.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Giant dog
• Minimum drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Guard dog. Barks, alerts and it's physically protective
• Great with other pets
• Great family dog

Commonly referred to as a “little lion,” the Pekingese is a compact, sturdy, companion dog that originated in ancient China. He is distinguished by a stocky, muscular body with a massive front covered by a thick mane. The calm, dignified Pekingese is good-natured and affectionate, making the breed an ideal watchdog and companion. Frequent weekly grooming is required to avoid tangling in his coarse coat.

DID YOU KNOW? The Pekingese was regarded as a sacred, royal breed during the Tang Dynasty of eighth century China. A death sentence was inherent for anyone caught stealing one of these regal dogs.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Peking lion dog, Lion Dog, Chinese Spaniel, Pelchie Dog, Peking Palasthund

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
• Basic training required
• Enjoys gentle walks
• Enjoys walking half an hour a day
• Little toy dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming once a week
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Quiet dog
• Not a guard dog
• Great with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

The Shiba Inu is a sturdy, medium-sized, Spitz-type dog (i.e. he has prick ears, a thick coat, and a curled tail). A smaller version of the Akita, adult males stand at around 39.5cm and adult females at 36.5cm. The thick, soft undercoat is covered in a hard, straight topcoat that comes in red, red sesame (red with black guard hairs), black and tan, or white.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for experienced owners
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Small dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

A very attractive small/medium-sized dog, the Kooiker dog holds his head proudly and is slightly longer than he is tall, with adult dogs standing at 35-40cm and weighing 9-11kg. He has a medium-length coat that is straight or slightly wavy and is white with orange-red patches. The ears are tipped with black and have longer hair, known as 'earrings'.

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys vigorous walks
• Enjoys walking more than two hours a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming every other day
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Not a guard dog
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids

Developed in the mountains of Japan, the Akita originally was used to hunt bear, elk and boar. The breed can have an aggressive temperament, requiring supervision around small children and other animals. The Akita has a distinctive thick, double coat and plush tail that curls over his back. Although a fastidious groomer like a cat, he still needs daily brushing. Active and energetic, this breed should be exercised daily.

DID YOU KNOW? Helen Keller is credited with bringing the first Akita to the U.S., having received a puppy from the Ministry of Education during a visit to Japan in 1937.

ALSO KNOWN AS: Akita Inu, Japanese Akita, American Akita

The need-to-know

• Dog suitable for owners with some experience
• Some training required
• Enjoys active walks
• Enjoys walking an hour a day
• Medium dog
• Some drool
• Requires grooming daily
• Non hypoallergenic breed
• Chatty and vocal dog
• Guard dog. Barks and alerts
• May require training to live with other pets
• May require training to live with kids