Rich and famous people, as you already know, often show off their exclusive status by getting their clothes designed at boutiques. To further emphasise their unique lifestyle, some even sport unusual hair dos to stand apart from the ‘crowd’.
So it is not surprising that such ‘discerning’ people would not want an ordinary cat or dog for a pet. So, while some celebrities like Michael Jackson, go for wild animals like chimps, leopards, etc, yet others pay huge sums of money, just for the thrill of (illegally) possessing an endangered animal. But for those who want to have a special pet which they can show off in public, there is a third option— the designer pets.
A Los Angeles animal breeding firm has come out with an interesting pet, which has been described as the world’s largest, rarest and most exotic domestic cat. The new cat, named Ashera, has tiger stripes and leopard-like spots. It is the result of blending the African Serval (a medium sized wild cat) and the Asian Leopard Cat with a domestic cat. Ashera has the looks of a mini-leopard and is priced at Rs 8,80,000!
This exotic cat is the result of many years of meticulous research but the company has assured its celebrity buyers that the ‘production’ will be limited to less than 100 per year.
Ashera may have touched a new high as far as the price goes but it is not the first designer animal to reach the market. 

Simply the best!
Last year a San Diego-based company had created a hypoallergenic kitten for people who sneeze and wheeze in the presence of cats. The Allerca cat costs Rs 1,50,000!
Labradoodle, Yorkipoo, cockapoo, and schnoodle are all designer hybrid dogs to hit the catwalk.
Of these the most popular is the Labradoodle— originally a cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle. The mix reputedly combines the intelligence, aloof nature, the delicate frame, and the low-allergy, and non-shedding traits of the poodle with the boisterous exuberance, lovability, and loyalty of a lab. 
An important point to be noted is that not all hybrid animals are aimed at satisfying the rich customer. In the course of the 14,000 years of humans domesticating dogs, many new breeds have got added. Originally dogs were selected and specially bred for traits like the ability to guard and hunt. The purpose of the new age breeds like the Labradoodle is to provide a healthy, easy-to-maintain friendly companion, especially to people with special needs.
Can anyone create a new breed at random? Not at all.
For a breed to be successful there needs to an educated match. The new breed must also have predictable characteristics. They must also fulfill a specific purpose.
The best known hybrid animal is the mule, whose father is a donkey and mother, a horse. Mules are greatly favoured in tough terrains as they possesses the sobriety, patience, endurance and sure-footedness of the ass, and the vigour, strength and courage of the horse.