DESIGNER pet pooches have surged in the popularity stakes over the last ten years according to the latest figures from a Guiseley-based vets.

White Cross vets, which has 16 practices across the UK, says there has been an eight-fold increase in the number of designer cross-bred dogs registered with it.

In 2006 the family run group had just 115 designer-cross breeds registered, compared to 886 this year - an increase of 770 per cent.

The data reveals that the top five most popular designer cross breeds are now the Cockapoo – a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and Poodle, the Labradoodle – a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle, the Jug – a cross between a Jack Russell and a Pug, the Cavachon – a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise and the Cavapoo – a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle.

Tom Ward from the Guiseley practice, said: "Labradoodles began the movement towards designer cross breeds ten years ago, which is when we first started to see more of them coming into our practices, and they have since continued to grow in popularity.

"There has also been an explosion in Poodles and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels being crossed with virtually everything.

"We now have more Cavachons, Cavajacks, Cavapoos, and Pugaliers registered with us than Cavaliers and more Cockerpoos than Cocker Spaniels, as well as many more Poodle crosses than pure bred Poodles.

"The popularity of the designer crosses is no surprise, as many owners are looking for a certain set of attributes which can be achieved when two breeds that have well known characteristics are combined.

"Crossing pedigree pooches can also help to lower the risk of them developing heredity diseases associated with a particular breed. It’s important to remember when buying a puppy, whether it’s a designer cross breed, full pedigree or cross that the puppy should be seen with the rest of the litter and its mother."