Twin Cities Fox News carried this story on TV last night and today:

Dede Hard started breeding golden doodles about five years ago, and there's a science to it. She says doodles are popular because they carry the poodles' non-shedding gene.

But the doodle isn't the only designer crossbreed -- it's one of about 400:

• There's the puggle: a pug-beagle cross that was "discovered" by a farmer in Sun Prairie, Wis.
• The labradoodle: a standard poodle and labrador retriever cross, first bred in the 1980s.
• And the cockapoos: a cocker spaniel, miniature poodle cross.

However, there are reasons to be cautious. There are thousands of online sites where you can buy a designer dog, and all breeders aren't so conscientious.  Dede Hard warns good breeders do their research because there can be real danger when you breed two dogs with different temperaments.

"It's really important to know the temperament of the parents you own,” she said.

At $950 per puppy, there's no doubt the designer dog trend has become serious business, but there should be some serious science to it too.  There is also research out there that suggests certain mixed breeds live longer, healthier lives because they are more genetically diverse. Most genetic disorders are recessive.