Crossbreeding is done with the intention to create offspring that share the traits of both parent lineages, or producing a pigeon with "hybrid vigor" even though it is not hybridization that is actually taking place. While crossbreeding is used to maintain health and viability of pigeons, irresponsible crossbreeding can also produce animals of inferior quality or dilute a purebred gene pool to the point of extinction of a given breed of pigeon. We then are presented with a situation of tumblers that will not tumble; rollers that will not roll; and homers who cannot home.
Crossbreeding can be crossing the best rollers that you selected from Spike Gilmore's family with the best rollers you selected from Aubrey Thibodeau's family or your own family. This may satisfy your quest of gaining that "hybrid vigor" and breed health.
Crossbreeding can also be the crossing or mating of a non-rolling breed with a roller to achieve something other than performance. The purpose of this type of crossbreeding is for a color or pattern that is not indigenous to the other. Usually it is a color or pattern not found in the performing bird, the roller. Many believe this crossbreeding to be taboo and should be discouraged while others believe that if you breed several consecutive generations of the roller breed back into this cross it will become pure once again, but carrying the color or pattern that was once not apart of the roller breed.
Those that believe this type of crossbreeding is taboo feel that it is irresponsible and dilutes the purebred gene pool. Arguments can and have been made and it is up to the individual breeder what direction he/she is to approve of and take. It is also referred to as hybridization.
