Origins of the Habibi

A breed created for today's World
Arabic is the most common language of the Mediterranean Region, and where the breed's name originates! "Habibi", a term of endearment that means, "my beloved", and "Bear" for it's fluffy, teddy bear-like look.

The Habibi is the perfect allergy-friendly family dog, with a very special job title....

Step into the enchanting world of Habibi Bears, where dreams and companionship come alive in extraordinary ways! Our majestic Habibi Bears are not your ordinary dogs; they come in a kaleidoscope of colors, three sizes, and embody the true magic of love and healing. With their allergy-friendly, non-shedding coats, they bring boundless joy to every home they bless. For over 30 years, we have dedicated ourselves to meticulously developing exceptional lines with only a select few litters, ensuring the highest quality in each precious puppy. These extraordinary beings have been exclusively shared among our close-knit circle of friends and family, finding their way into the most loving and nurturing homes. You won't find our treasured Habibi Bears advertised in local newspapers or sold to outsiders seeking to breed them. Our focus is on carefully preserving a healthy and thriving new breed for today's world. A breed that will bring happiness for generations to come. As a small, exclusive, and family-run establishment, we take immense pride in placing our puppies with discerning families who seek nothing less than a well-bred companion. With their intelligence, strong bonding instincts, and remarkable capability to fill the roles of service and therapy dogs, each Habibi Bear is born with a purpose as unique as a precious work of art. They bring infinite love and unwavering support to their families, offering incomparable companionship and serving as extraordinary Emotional Support, Therapy dogs and Service dogs. Our commitment to breeding is a testament to our deep appreciation for the distinctive qualities that define our cherished Habibi Bears. Join us on this marvelous journey and discover the transformative power of a Habibi Bear in your life. Every interaction with these magical beings is an event that deserves to be celebrated!

Small beginnings...

The history and origin of many pure breeds can often be unclear, but not for our beloved Habibi breed. The development of Habibi dogs has been meticulously monitored and recorded since the very beginning, resulting in a unique DNA profile with genetic diversity of a hybrid. Initially, we started by breeding Schnoodles for my students. Although I cherished our Schnoodle puppies, there were certain aspects that needed improvement to make them ideal as Autism Support or Therapy dogs. I wanted the freedom to enhance my line without being limited to just these two breeds. During my search for rare, healthy genetics, I discovered breeders who were working on new lines of merle, chocolate, and parti-colored Schnauzer and Poodles. I was captivated by the idea of expanding the gene pool and incorporating these new colorations.

Some breeders had been less than transparent about the infusion of other breeds into their lines, but I was relieved to learn that these new colors were actually a product of genetic diversity within the breed. When the first litters of these new colors arrived, we realized that we had a truly exceptional breed. These dogs differed from traditional Schnoodles as they were gentler and more intuitive, making them ideal for use as service animals by my students who needed help with their disabilities. There was something truly unique about these dogs—something I couldn't quite put into words then but can today: They seemed to understand us on an almost spiritual level…

While DNA testing revealed there were indeed other breeds that had been infused into our dogs, results varied depending on each individual and which company was used. Although many of the breeds identified in my testing results were not accurate (see more below), it was exciting to discover they had successfully outcrossed other breeds to expand their gene pool. I was impressed by the breeders' ability to create a consistent type, and I decided to develop my own line as well.

Connectivity between dogs and humans is a profound, transformative experience. It is my deep passion to help nurture and promote this meaningful relationship. Therefore, after much introspection, I knew I had to align our name with my vision of this profound connection. With much excitement, we became known as the Habibi Bear breed, a name that embodies warmth, healing, and companionship. The previous label of "Schnoodle" no longer resonated, as I understood the depth and magic of what these dogs truly represented. The creation of the Habibi Bears is a true celebration of this awe-inspiring relationship between humans and their treasured companions.

Habibi is an Arabic word that means 'my beloved', and they truly are our beloved bears.

As time has progressed, I have purposely infused breeds to further the Habibi line's gene pool. Each infused breed was used to help balance characteristics we liked, correct flaws, and introduce a new gene pool to the breed--resulting in increased genetic diversity and hybrid vigor. This is much like the methods used to create many pure breeds we see today, however, the modern methodology of breeding pure breeds does not allow infusing any more.

Why Create our own 'breed"?

Every breed has a purpose, just like our beloved Habibi Bears. They were created to fill a role, to serve a need that humans found worthy. However, many of the traditional breeds were designed for a world that no longer exists, leaving them struggling to fit into today's fast-paced urban lives. But fear not, because Habibi Bears are here to serve a new purpose. They are specially developed to provide emotional support, companionship, therapy, and service work. Their sole (or should I say soul) purpose is to be your healing companion. And just like every beloved breed, they too started as a beautiful mix of different breeds, creating a unique continuity and type. Genetic testing confirms this magical blend. When two or more breeds come together, it is called hybridization. The initial breeds are known as the 'Parent Breeds', and the additional ones are called 'Infusions'. These infusions are carefully chosen to balance the breeding, diversify the gene pool, and correct any faults. Unlike the centuries-old practice of inbreeding, Habibi Bears are bred with meticulous consideration for genetic diversity. It has taken 30 years to develop a type without compromising genetic richness. Through a combination of genetic testing and my own method, we have created a consistent type of Habibi Bear. Their purpose? To provide life-saving and life-changing support. Every Habibi Bear is a radiant source of comfort and wonder, ready to transform your life with their extraordinary love and healing power.

In the world of breed clubs, many have closed their stud books, meaning that traditional breeds are unable to introduce new breeds into their lineage to increase genetic diversity or rectify potential health issues caused by years of inbreeding and line breeding. This lack of genetic diversity can contribute to an increase in health problems within specific breeds, creating a bottleneck in the gene pool and limiting their well-being. This is one of the numerous reasons why we have chosen to embark on our own path of development. Our focus is simple yet profound – we prioritize temperament and health above all else. We do not adhere to the traditional methods of maintaining "purebreds." For more information on our holistic approach to breeding, please visit our Hybrid page.

That Habibi Bear Magic

This secret recipe remains a closely guarded secret–but the result is undeniable: people can't stop falling in love with Habibi Bears.

In our quest to create something truly magical, we've infused new breeds into our beloved Habibi Bears, ensuring the highest level of hybrid vigor. These enchanting little heart dogs hold a special place in our hearts, stealing the hearts of everyone they meet. With an array of healthy DNA from both female and male lineages, our Habibi Bears have been meticulously developed to embody a unique standard and set of traits.

The secret behind their captivating DNA combinations remains confidential, but what matters most is the joy they bring. Although some of the original breeds may no longer appear in DNA reports due to dilution over generations, our wide gene pool poses a challenge for most tests to accurately identify all the remarkable genomes. Sometimes, unrelated breeds may be associated inaccurately, often by matching coat colors. We proudly identify our delightful companions as Habibi Bears, the result of the DNA magic that created a truly exceptional dog with its own extraordinary essence.

In our pursuit of promoting the health and happiness of these remarkable creatures, we choose not to engage in the dangerous and unethical practice of inbreeding. By preserving genetic diversity, our DNA makeup may always reflect various breeds in the background. Our purpose is clear—to produce and train healthy dogs with a vital mission to connect and heal the hearts of humanity. It's a calling that fills us with overflowing love and guides us on this extraordinary journey.

The Habibi bear is a unique line, developed with the use of science & genetic diversity

After carefully monitoring each breeding, and infusing the appropriate qualities to correct faults, we have been able to improve areas that were lacking, while maintaining the positive traits. What was once a first generation (somewhat inconsistent) cross, is now infused with lovely qualities from rare or healthy gene pools, to create a stable companion, ready for therapy, service, emotional support, or facility work.

As we continue to observe our dogs, we have an open studbook, meaning, we are open to infuse new breed genetics when appropriate, for further advancement of our beloved bears. Hybrid vigor is our focus, not breed recognition by a breed club. When we DNA test our Habibi Bears, the wide gene pool is always present, which is proof that our dogs are not line or inbred.

Dog DNA Tests: Mixed Results
DNA tests that purport to identify the breeds in your mixed-breed dog are still a work in progress but the technology improves daily.

By Kathryn Socie-Dunning
On a gorgeous spring day in Montana, I was heading back from a romp in the mountains with my three dogs when we stepped out of the woods into a meadow, replete with song birds and a smattering of open range cows grazing peacefully. My trail companions quickly discovered, to their absolute delight, fresh, delicious cow pies.

It occurred to me, however, that I didn’t know the MDR1 (multi-drug resistance gene) status of the newest member of my three-dog crew, Hap. MDR1 is a genetic predisposition to adverse drug reactions to more than a dozen common veterinary drugs, and the gene is found predominantly in herding breeds. Hap looks to be mostly Border Collie with maybe, just maybe, a pinch of Australian Shepherd, so having this predisposition could put him in danger in this situation. Cows are often given ivermectin as an anti-parasitic agent, and the drug can be found shortly afterward in their droppings; eating these droppings can cause a fatal reaction in a dog with the MDR1 mutation. So, I put a moratorium on the afternoon’s pie sampling, much to the dismay of my crew, and off we strolled into the sunset.

When we got home and I began looking up information on MDR1 testing, I learned that many of the genetic tests for breed-typing now also include genetic health screens, including testing for the MDR1 mutation. I thought, why not solve the mystery of Hap’s breed-mix and get health information at the same time? It sounded like fun! – KATHRYN SOCIE-DUNNING

How Do Dog DNA Tests Work?
While some of the early mixed-breed identification tests used a blood sample, all of the products on the market today extract DNA from cells swabbed by the dog’s owner from the inside of the dog’s cheek. The swab is sealed in a container provided by the company and mailed off to the company’s lab. There, technicians extract your dog’s DNA from the swab, and use computers to identify and compare specific bits of it to bits taken from dogs of known lineage.

The genome of a dog contains about 2.5 billion nucleotides (the building blocks of DNA); researchers focus on “only” about 200,000 of these individual genes – or rather, microsatellites or repeating sequences of DNA called single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, pronounced “snips”) that form signatures particular to various breeds.

Researchers must have enough SNPs from enough purebred representatives of each breed in order to have an adequate array of SNPs to which they can compare your dog’s SNPs. The larger the company’s database of samples from purebred dogs, the better. When a company fails utterly to suggest ancestors of candidate breeds that are remotely likely, it’s probable that it lacks enough breeds in its databanks to find good matches for your dog’s SNPs.

Some Puzzling Dog DNA Results…
On the more comedic end of the spectrum, Hap, my happy, hoppy, flying Border Collie/mystery-breed cross was declared by Wisdom Panel to be 88 percent Border Collie and 12 percent – ready for this? – Boston Terrier! Having never even seen a Boston Terrier in Montana in my 20 years living here steeped in all things dog, this struck me as highly unlikely.

Since I live in a rural, ranch-heavy area and the shelter from which I acquired this chap is small and more like a herding dog rescue than a general open-door shelter, I struggled to imagine where Boston Terrier genes could have possibly come from. On the other hand, Hap is definitely the most playful, gregarious dog I’ve known and these qualities fit the personality type of the Boston Terriers I’ve met, so maybe. Perhaps there was a Boston Casanova passing through that visited a ranch at just the right time. Strange things can happen.

But sometimes, the results do test the bounds of credulity. Take, as a case in point, the results returned by DNA My Dog from a sample from Otto, a highly-mixed breed dog belonging to WDJ’s editor, Nancy Kerns. Otto has been tested by several companies (see “Otto’s Results,” below). The two companies with the largest breed databases returned fairly similar results. But DNA My Dog, a much smaller company, returned results that were not just completely dissimilar to the results from the two larger companies, but also incredibly improbable. The breeds suggested are highly unlikely to be present in Otto’s geographic area of origin, and even less likely to be present in the identified combination.

GENETIC DIVERSITY = HEALTH

We have an open studbook, meaning we are open to infuse breed genetics when appropriate, for further advancement of our beloved bears. Hybrid vigor is our focus, not breed recognition by a breed or registry club. When we DNA test our Habibi Bears, the wide gene pool is always present, which is proof that our dogs are not inbred.

When Dog DNA Results Don’t Make Sense

The companies that offer this service have a few standard explanations for results that don’t seem to make sense.

None of the companies would admit that their reference databases are of an inadequate size to accurately identify the SNPs from your dog – but they might suggest that this could be true of their competitors.

All of the companies will be quick to explain that there are hundreds of thousands of genes that are responsible for a dog’s appearance, and that many breed combinations result in dogs who look very different than what you would expect from that mix of breeds.

Also, genes in mixed breeds do not always combine in the same ways within all litter-mates, so size and physical and behavioral characteristics in the same litter of pups can and often do vary, sometimes wildly.

They also explain that the complexity of your dog’s mix will affect the accuracy of the results.

First-generation crosses between two purebred parents are relatively easy to identify, but dogs who don’t have any purebred ancestors within several generations are much harder to identify with much certainty, as the length of the inherited SNPs that are unique to purebred dogs become much shorter with each generation of mixed-breed progeny.

Problems with identification can also arise when there is a lot of divergence within a specific breed-type, like in the case of Australian Shepherds and Border Collies, where you have field-bred lines and show-bred lines. The genetic signatures in the companies’ databases usually correspond with show-bred lines, so field-bred Aussies and BCs might even get assigned to a different breed altogether.

Embark and Wisdom Panel make it easy for consumers to contact them and ask questions about their dogs’ results. I called and asked a representative from Wisdom Panel to review Hap’s results with me and was told that the statistical confidence in the Boston Terrier finding was marginal, meaning there is a high probability this result is not correct. Hap could have 12 percent of something not represented in the Wisdom Panel database (such as field-bred Australian Shepherds), but since this unique signature does not currently exist in the database, he was assigned to the breed with the closest matching genetic signature. I was told that updates will be made to Hap’s report as new information is added to the database.

Otto’s Results

Otto’s results have morphed over the past eight years, with the unlikely Basenji disappearing and a bully breed and Australian Cattle Dog appearing in the mix. Note that the results provided by the two leading mixed-breed test providers are pretty darn similar – and that the results from the smallest company offering this service border on fantasy. (Those breeds are highly uncommon in Otto’s area of origin, and would be even more uncommonly seen in the same dog.)

2009 WISDOM PANEL:
German Shepherd Dog
Basenji
Chow Chow
Border Collie

2016 DNA MY DOG:
Level 3 (20%-36%): Collie, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Level 4 (10%-20%): English Setter, Norwegian Elkhound

2016 WISDOM PANEL:
12.5% American Staffordshire Terrier
12.5% Australian Cattle Dog
12.5% Border Collie
12.5% Chow Chow
12.5% German Shepherd Dog
37.5% (mixed)

2018 EMBARK:
21.3% American Pit Bull Terrier
14.1% Australian Cattle Dog
13.2% German Shepherd Dog
12.3% Chow Chow
10.3% Labrador Retriever
8.0% Border Collie
4.3% Rottweiler
16.5% (“Supermutt”)

Kathryn Socie-Dunning lives with her husband and three dogs in Montana.

Our Habibi is a genetically diverse hybrid

Due to the diverse background of our imported rare lines from where breeds originated, we have not seen accurate results from the DNA reports of our lines.
At the end of the day, our focus is on developing a healthy hybrid that has the purpose of being a wonderful Service, Therapy, ESA, or Facility Animal. Our dogs are consistently proving to be wonderful in these arenas and we are proud to raise them. With our wide gene pool, we have rarely seen a DNA result accurately show the correct lineage, and many times some breeds are so far back in the gene pool they don't register. We have even seen such inaccurate results from Embark showing Rottweiler, Dachshund and Staffordshire Terrier resulting from our little mini parents of Coton, Shih Tzu, and Maltese lineage, as well as the same dog being tested elsewhere with entirely different results. All we could fathom is its picking up the marking and coat colors and making a stab in the dark to connect the dots. We've been told this can also be due to improper sterilization procedures and picking up DNA from a dog tested previously. Embark states on their site that the test shouldn't be used to prove breed percentages-- based off of certain DNA markers, it can pull a different breed when there actually isn't a different breed in their DNA. (see their statement below) Many breed clubs are not accepting results from these companies due to their known inaccurate results.
Whether the DNA results are accurate, or way-off in left field matters little, as the Habibi is a unique dog that has a wide gene pool and genetic diversity, and the results speak for themselves, as they say. Our Habibi is not a Doodle, or Schnoodle or AussieSchnoodle-doodle, Shichon or Cavapoochon (some of the names I see people identifying the breed with) It's a Habibi Bear. The careful hybridization of complimentary breeds in the background of our lines creates puppies that all have the same characteristics, unique to the Habibi.

There are breeders of pure breeds finding the same DNA results (see below)

Embark explaining why even registered purebred dogs show mixed results?

From Embark
Dog fanciers are passionate about their breeds and the unique attributes that define breed type, characteristics, and temperament. Generations of careful breeding and selection have helped to refine these breed-specific traits and allow everyone to enjoy the remarkable variation that is represented in hundreds of purebred dog breeds.

At Embark, we celebrate and support the dog breeders who have worked passionately to produce exceptional dogs. We share their mission and appreciate the opportunity to contribute our expertise in genetic health risks to this important pursuit.

What is a reference panel?

We understand it can be concerning when a purebred dog is tested using Embark for Breeders DNA test, and the results indicate the dog is a mixed breed. While this is uncommon and can be an indication of crossbreeding, there are also situations where purebred dogs receive this result.

When Embark conducts a DNA Test on a purebred dog, we use a proven scientific approach to assess the genetic makeup of the dog using a process involving reference panels. A reference panel is a group of dogs that have all been registered as purebred in a particular breed. Embark’s reference database of tens of thousands of purebred dogs is the largest and most diverse in the world. This database is used to identify a genetic signature unique to the breed but does not include every dog in every breed.

Why would a purebred dog not match the breed reference panel?

For various reasons, the registered purebred dog tested by Embark may not perfectly match the genetic signature of the reference panel. One example is the dog may have an ancestor that is in a closely related breed which was utilized prior to the closing of the breed’s studbook many generations ago. Another reason is that the dog may come from a bloodline that is geographically very distant from the group of reference panel dogs. These results in no way affect the registered “purebred” status of the dog or its standing with the registry. In fact, because these dogs usually contain genetic signatures not common in the breed, they can be highly useful for maintaining or even increasing genetic diversity in the breed.

For a deeper dive, take a look at how a purebred dog’s DNA may diverge from that of the reference panel.

A note from Embark:

Hi everyone, we are pleased to offer the most accurate and comprehensive dog DNA test available. However even when testing with 200,00+ genetic markers, a DNA breed test cannot be used to certify a dog as a "purebred". This is because a "purebred" status is not itself a scientific designation, but includes human-defined registration status and pedigree records indicating all of a dog's ancestors were documented as purebred as well. While the term "purebred" is often associated with "single breed", this is not actually the same thing. Embark's DNA testing can generally inform on 3-4 generations of ancestry, which even for registered dogs will in some cases identify some DNA from another breed, often a closely related breed. This can occur for a variety of reasons, and these results do not affect the dog's registration or purebred status, because as stated earlier "purebred status" is not a scientific designation or dependent upon DNA ancestry results.

While we encourage owners and breeders to use DNA testing to learn more about their dog's ancestry, health, traits, and relatives, owners looking to register their dogs with various organizations will need to submit their pedigrees to the appropriate registry body for that certification. These registries typically do not include the requirement that the dog be certified as "single breed" from a DNA testing company such as Embark. We encourage breeders to contact their preferred registries and breed club organizations to learn more about their requirements and expectations for dogs of your breed.

–EMBARK FOR BREEDERS

A Mi-Ki Breeder's experience in developing their new breed:

Another interesting read on the topic from a Mi-Ki breeder discussing the mis-labeled breeds in the background of their dogs.

Habibi Bears truly are a magical breed, here's why......

Oh, let me share a tale that reveals the wonders and mysteries of genetic testing. While it is indeed an exciting and valuable tool for breeders in creating clear lines, the accuracy of breed category results relies solely on the reference panel used. Now, let's talk about our beloved Habibi Bears. These extraordinary dogs come from rare and originally imported lines, which means that some of their DNA test results may show unexpected breeds. You see, their original DNA wasn't included in the creation of those reference panels. Let me tell you a peculiar story about one of our cherished Bichon girls. She was brought all the way from the enchanting Mediterranean region, bringing with her a legacy that baffles the minds of scientists. Her offspring consistently showcase the most peculiar and seemingly unrelated breeds, such as Staffordshire Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, Dachshund, and Rottweiler. Imagine the surprise our clients experience when they order a DNA test and find these unexpected results for their adorable, wide-eyed puppy. Ah, my dear, I've written these words for a reason - to offer understanding and illuminate the true meaning behind DNA testing. In the end, though, it is the magic of hybrid vigor that prevails. We celebrate the fact that our beloved dogs are not only healthy and diverse but so magnificently enchanting that their DNA leaves even the scientists bewildered. Can you believe it? The wonders of our Habibi Bear companions truly know no bounds!

Breed? No such thing?

"A breed is a mental construct only; nothing more. For the truth is, that there is no such thing in nature as an animal breed. All distinctions in animal taxonomy below the species level are relative, transient, and ephemeral. Zoology does not even deal with "breeds" - it admits only subspecies and variations within a species and argues endlessly about those.
It is created as a practical matter when type requirements and, more importantly, a pedigree barrier are set in place. Animals conforming to the type requirements are then bred inter se (to use Agriculture's language) behind the protection of the pedigree barrier, usually under an inbreeding regime." --- J. Jeffrey Bragg, Seppala Siberian Huskies