In 2025, the world of canine companionship has evolved, giving rise to an array of uniquely charming designer dog breeds that capture the hearts of dog enthusiasts everywhere. Blending the best traits of their purebred parents, these hybrid dogs are not only aesthetically appealing but also boast enhanced temperaments, intelligence, and versatility. As every breed tells a distinct story of intentional breeding and innovative genetic combinations, join us in exploring the top ten designer dog breeds of the year. Discover which furry friend might become your perfect companion, offering unparalleled loyalty, love, and joy.
Designer dog breeds have become a huge trend in recent years, offering the perfect blend of traits from two beloved purebred dogs. In 2025, these hybrid dogs are more popular than ever due to their unique looks, affectionate personalities, and adaptability for a variety of living situations.
Whether you’re looking for a hypoallergenic companion, a playful family dog, or a small pup that fits into apartment life, there’s a designer breed for every type of pet parent. Let’s explore the top 10 designer dog breeds of 2025 and find out what makes them so special!
Designer Dog Breeds
1. Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is a delightful mix between the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle. According to Purina UK, this hybrid was originally bred in Australia in the late 1970s to create a hypoallergenic guide dog. Today, Labradoodles are cherished for their friendly nature and intelligence.
These dogs come in various sizes—miniature, medium, and standard—and boast coats that can be curly, wavy, or straight. Colors range from cream and apricot to black and brown. Their hypoallergenic coat makes them a popular choice for families with allergies.
Labradoodles are known for their gentle temperament and adaptability. They thrive in active households and are great with children and other pets. Their sharp minds and willingness to please make them fairly simple to train, but they do need consistent exercise to stay content and in good health.
2. Mal-Shi
The Mal-Shi is a charming crossbreed between the Maltese and the Shih Tzu. Originating in the United States, this hybrid was bred to combine the best traits of both parent breeds. Mal-Shis are small, affectionate dogs that make excellent companions.
Typically weighing between 6 to 16 pounds, they have a silky, wavy coat that comes in various colors, including white, apricot, and black, as noted by PetMD. Their hypoallergenic coat makes them suitable for people with allergies. Regular grooming is essential to keep their coat healthy and free from mats.
Known for their friendly and outgoing nature, Mal-Shis are great with children and other pets. They enjoy being the center of attention and thrive on human companionship. While they are relatively easy to train, consistent and gentle training methods work best with this breed.
3. Goldador
The Goldador is a hybrid breed resulting from the union of the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. This mix combines the friendly and outgoing nature of both parent breeds, making it a popular choice for families.
Goldadors are medium to large-sized dogs with a sturdy build. They typically have a short to medium-length coat that sheds moderately. Colors can range from cream and gold to black and chocolate. Regular grooming helps manage shedding and keeps their coat healthy.
These dogs are famous for their intelligence and trainability. They are highly social and thrive in active households. Goldadors are great with children and other pets, making them excellent family companions. They require regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy.
4. Chug
The Chug, a popular crossbreed between the Chihuahua and Pug, combines the best characteristics of both parent breeds, inheriting the Pug’s charming wrinkles and the Chihuahua’s expressive eyes. With a short, easy-to-care-for coat, they come in a variety of colors, and their playful, fun-loving disposition makes them excellent companions.
As with many designer dogs, Chugs benefit from purposeful breeding practices that aim to pass on desirable traits, ensuring that both the genetic health and temperament of the offspring are well-balanced.
Their adaptability to different living environments, from apartments to homes with yards, makes them a great fit for a variety of lifestyles. Regular training and socialization will help ensure that your Chug grows into a well-behaved, loving companion.
5. Cavachon
The Cavachon is a charming mix of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Bichon Frise with a friendly and gentle temperament.
These dogs have a silky, medium-length coat that comes in a range of colors, including white, tan, apricot, and black. Their hypoallergenic coat makes them a great option for people with allergies, though they need regular grooming to stay healthy and tangle-free.
Cavachons are social and enjoy spending time with their families. They get along well with children and other pets, making them excellent family dogs. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them easy to train and a joy to have around.
6. Malti-poo
Malti-Poos, a mix of Maltese and Toy or Miniature Poodles, are beloved for their charming personalities and adorable looks. Typically standing 8–14 inches tall and weighing 10–20 pounds, Malti-Poos fit comfortably in any living space.
These playful, intelligent dogs are active but not overly energetic, so a daily walk and some playtime are usually enough to keep them happy. Though small, Malti-Poos may take on the role of a watchdog, barking to alert their owners when something is out of the ordinary.
What sets Malti-Poos apart as a top designer breed is their easy trainability and loving temperament. With positive reinforcement, they learn quickly and maintain a puppy-like spirit throughout their lives, which can last anywhere from 13 to 16 years. Their affectionate nature and ability to adapt to various lifestyles make them a top choice for families.
7. Chorkie
The Chorkie is a mix of the Chihuahua and Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkie), sometimes called a Yorkiechi or Chiyorkie. Though this hybrid is relatively new and not yet recognized as an official breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC), it has quickly gained popularity.
As a recent mix, Chorkies can vary greatly in both temperament and appearance. However, by looking at their parent breeds, we can get a sense of what to expect. Chihuahuas and Yorkies are both small, under 10 inches tall and weighing less than 10 pounds. When combined, they create a tiny dog with a bold, terrier-like personality, perfect for apartment living and cuddling.
Chorkies are ideal city companions, needing very little space to thrive. Their moderate exercise needs can often be met with indoor play. Early socialization and consistent training are important to manage their tendency to bark and the wariness of strangers.
8. Cockapoo
The Cockapoo, a delightful mix of the Cocker Spaniel and Poodle, is celebrated for its affectionate nature and intelligence. These small to medium-sized dogs typically weigh between 15 to 22 pounds and stand about 10 to 15 inches tall.
Their coats can be curly, wavy, or straight, and come in various colors, including cream, black, and apricot. Their coats have hypoallergenic qualities, however, regular grooming is essential to keep their fur healthy and tangle-free.
Cockapoos are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train. Their sociable nature means they thrive in family settings and are good with children and other pets. However, they can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods.
9. Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle, a mix between the Golden Retriever and Poodle, is celebrated for its friendly nature and intelligence. These dogs typically weigh between 50 to 90 pounds and stand about 20 to 24 inches tall. Their coats can be curly, wavy, or straight, and come in various colors, including cream, black, and apricot. Regular grooming is essential to keep their fur healthy and tangle-free.
Goldendoodles are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train. Their sociable nature means they thrive in family settings and are good with children and other pets. However, they can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods.
Goldendoodles are sought after for their hypoallergenic qualities, making them suitable for people with allergies. Their adaptable and affectionate nature, combined with their intelligence and low-shedding coat, makes them a popular choice for families and individuals seeking a loving companion.
10. Chiweenie
The Chiweenie is a fun-loving crossbreed between the Chihuahua and Dachshund, two popular dog breeds known for their distinct personalities. As a mixed breed, this crossbred dog combines the best characteristics of its parents, resulting in a small, energetic dog with a loving nature. The Chiweenie inherits traits from both its purebred parents, offering a unique mix of the Chihuahua’s boldness and the Dachshund’s playful spirit.
Chiweenies come in a variety of coat colors and types, from short and smooth to longer, wavy fur, similar to the coats of other designer dogs. Their coats are often easy to manage, requiring regular brushing to keep them healthy and free of mats. Though these mixed-breed dogs are often considered more resilient than purebreds, it’s important to remember that, like any dog, they still need proper care.
Conclusion
In conclusion, designer dog breeds combine the best traits of two beloved purebreds, making them perfect companions for various lifestyles. Whether for their friendly nature, hypoallergenic coats, or adaptability, these hybrids continue to be popular choices in 2025. Choose the right breed for your needs, and enjoy the love and loyalty these unique dogs bring into your life.
The top 10 designer dog breeds in 2025 highlight the continued trend of crossbreeding for unique traits, temperaments, and appearances. These breeds, often a blend of popular purebreds, cater to the modern pet owner’s desire for companionship, hypoallergenic coats, or specific size and lifestyle adaptability. As interest in designer dogs grows, ethical breeding practices and awareness of genetic health remain crucial to ensure the well-being of these dogs. Ultimately, these designer breeds reflect our evolving relationships with pets, focused on customization and improved living dynamics, while emphasizing the importance of responsible ownership and care.