Purebred or Mutt?

After deciding to get a puppy or adult dog, the next question is: What kind of dog is best—mixed-breed (mutt) or pure-breed? There are fans on both sides of this question who would never consider owning the “other” choice. Then there are people who just want a great companion and don’t care whether he’s a mutt or an AKC champion.   

You can choose either a specific breed otherwise known as pure bred or choose one that is if a mixed breed or a mutt.  Whether you have your heart set on a particular breed of dog or are waiting to find one which seems appealing, there is another option for you to consider.  A mixed breed may be exactly the kind of dog you want.

Contrary to common opinion, there is nothing substandard about mixed breed dogs. Not only do they make ideal pets, they are also quality animals. If you have not yet made up your mind about a specific breed, or are open to other possibilities, you might want to think about adopting a mixed breed dog.   

For people involved with professional breeding, there is a huge difference in purebreds and so-called “mutts.” “Mutts” are of mixed breed. Some are actually purebred but have no documentation proving that they are purebred. If you are looking for a pet and have no interest in entering into competition with your dog, this might be a viable option for you. 

Choosing a dog depends on many things. The size of one’s home, how much exercise is needed, does it shed often or if you wants a gentle or playful companion.  

Deciding to own one whether it is large or small involves a lot of responsibility. It is not just about feeding it but includes other chores such as grooming, watching its health and diet, cleaning up after it and most importantly, giving it some tender loving care. You should remember, If you live in an apartment I would not suggest getting something like a German shepherd or a Newfoundland, both breeds are large and demand more room out of your small space.

When you think about comparing breeds of dogs, their size and appearance may be the first things to come to mind.  There are many other factors involved in choosing the breed of dog that is right for you.   

Comparing breeds involves considering your and your family’s needs as well as your prospective pets.  For example, some breeds are generally good with small children while others are not.  If there are children in your household, choosing a breed of dog which is known for gentleness and playfulness is wiser than choosing one that is tougher or aloof.  It is much better to make a wise decision about a breed than to expect your new dog to conform to your household. 

As breeds of dogs have their own personality traits and characteristics, you should choose the best match for yourself and your family.  You may be thinking of a pet that will be a good guard dog, one that will be your companion, or one who loves to frolic and play.  When you make note of your expectations, it will be easier to find the breed best matched to you. 

Another important point to consider when comparing breeds: health issues.  As many purebreds are much more susceptible to developing various types of health problems, knowing which issues pertain to the breed you are considering can help you to avoid heartache and costly veterinarian expenses.  You should know what to expect from the particular breed before you make your final decision. 

There are many places you can get a dog such as a kennel or the pet store but if you want to get a pure bred animal, you must seek a reputable breeder to get the best results.  

Breeding done in purebred dogs is done carefully. The pair is tested for every possible disease which includes having all the information regarding the pair’s ancestors and health records on file.  Should there be no problem in the history of the pair, then the breeding can begin. If in testing, the pair is not compatible due to diseases that are common in a specific breed, another dog will be selected to match with the other dog.  

Since the demand for the breeder’s pure bred dogs are well sought after due to the selective nature of the breeding practices, the newborn pups will still have to be raised with the breeder and will only be released when a number of pre-screened homes have been found.  This is done for the welfare of the select few of owners and to control population growth. 

If you opt for a purebred as we discussed previously and do meet the criteria that a responsible breeder will request, you stand a good chance of getting the dog you want.  The restriction may seem severe but responsible breeders care a great deal about how “their” offspring will be raised. 

Pure-breed puppies are more predictable in terms of behavioral and physical characteristics. In many cases before picking a pure-breed puppy, you can check out the appearance, friendliness, basic manners, and general health of his parents. Sometimes too much breeding/inbreeding, or breeding to achieve a desirable physical characteristic (such as the flattened nose of a Pug), can create health problems. Pure-breed dogs can be expensive. Depending on the breed, a pure-breed puppy will typically cost several hundred dollars. 

Some breeds require more upkeep than others.  Whether it is a matter of frequent shedding, or bathing more regularly than others, you can narrow your choices down to the breeds which best match your ability to take care of a new dog.  It is also a good idea to consider how much food and other supplies he will need on a regular basis.   

When you have taken all of these points into consideration, there is an additional factor which will also help you to choose the breed that is best for you:  you want a dog that you will love, and enjoy spending time with for many years to come.  You may have a particular breed in mind, or you may be waiting to find the right one.  When you keep in mind that you and your new dog will establish a mutually-beneficial relationship, you will find the ideal breed of dog to invite into your life.   

Mixed breeds on the other hand or mutts as people call them could have been bred out of experimentation to produce a breed which could be better and stronger than the two breeds. Most likely, these were the results of accidents. This is the reason why dogs of mixed breeds just like pure breeds must be neutered since millions of dogs every year that are not wanted by people die in animal shelters. 

There are some important benefits to mixed breeds.  First, logically, a mixed breed dog will almost always be much less expensive than its purebred counterpart.  If you want a delightful pet which does not break your budget, a mixed breed dog may be a good option for you. 

Second, mixed breed dogs do not generally have the health complications often associated with many purebred dogs.  If you choose a mixed breed, it is more likely that he will remain healthier, long into his older years.   

Health wise, pure bred dogs that come from a line of strong parents won’t have problems. This is because breeders screen the pair before the process happens.  

Unfortunately, there are instances where certain breeders are more concerned about financial gain rather than the welfare of the animal.  This is especially true of those breeders who do not practice the strict guidelines of proper breeding thereby producing inferior dogs. 

Mixed bred dogs on the other hand, will fall somewhere in the middle since proper screening was poorly done or never carried out. Certain dogs carry varied deficiencies common to the breed and mixing the two will just pass on to the mixed breed.  

A mutt is pretty much a one-of-a-kind dog. If you’re adopting a mutt puppy from a friend, you might see what the mother is like, but the father is often a total mystery. If you adopt from a shelter, you can only guess about both parents. Mutts generally have fewer health problems and tend to live longer than pure-breed dogs. And mutt puppies are much cheaper (often free). 

There are a number of places where you can acquire a mixed breed dog.  If you have not yet reached a decision about the kind of dog you want, you can also look around to see what is available.  You can find advertisements for mixed breed dogs in nearly any newspaper, or you can visit your local animal shelter.  Many people advertise dogs free-of-charge or at low prices when they are moving, or for other reasons.  Animal shelters have a surplus of mixed breed dogs.  Many animal shelters include spaying or neutering, de-worming, and canine immunizations for dogs who are adopted.   

As people tend to prefer purebred dogs, there are large numbers of mixed breed dogs who need homes.  When you consider adopting a mixed breed dog, you can give a wonderful dog a new home of his own.  In return, your mixed breed pet will be the light of your life and a source of joy. 

Some people prefer pure bred dogs than mixed bred ones. The primary reason is that it is easier to sell and carries a certain prestige with it. Mixed bred dogs are seen as inferior and since no one is interested, most of these are rounded up and die in an animal shelter. 

Pure bred dogs are seen as a higher class which is why they are always featured at dog shows. Mixed dogs are not allowed to join. The reasons given have not been that clear which is why mixed breed owners still contest the rule. 

You cannot simply select the "perfect" breed or the "perfect" individual puppy and have him automatically grow up to be a "perfect" adult dog.  Any puppy (mutt or pure-breed) can become a wonderful companion if properly raised and Trained. Conversely, any puppy can become a canine nightmare if not properly raised and trained. Regardless of pedigree (or lack thereof), you should pick a puppy that is best suited to you and your lifestyle.