This is a subject that I think every pet owner has encountered. On one side we have the pure minded...no mix breeding here! On the other we have the logic minded...lets take the best of two worlds to make things better! So who is right and who is wrong? It's usually a decision decided on the individual pet themselves. Just like humans, although we all fall into some ethnic background and some sex, we are all individuals and so for must all be treated without stereotypes or preconceived notions. The same is true for pets.
For instance some of the scariest dogs I've ever encountered while being a vet tech (and most techs will agree with me here) weren't the typical "feared" dogs like Pit Bulls and Rottweilers. No the worst were sometimes the cutest little Yorkie or Pomeranian! You just never know! So what I thought I'd do is list some pros and cons of both pure breds and mutts and let you the reader decide what you think is best!
Let's start with Mutts:
(when I say mutt, I mean the Heinz 57 variety, ones that you really don't know what is going on in the DNA - not labradoodles or cockapoos or those designer breeds)
Pros:
- Possibly a healthier pet due to the "outbreeding" of certain known problem heath traits
- A more even tempered pet
- A more robust pet
- A center piece for converstaion...its true! I don't know how many conversations started for me with "what breed is she?"
- A less delicate digestive system
- A less likely allergic pet
Cons:
- You really don't know what size pet you will end up with
- You don't know much of the medical background
- More likely to become an abandoned pet
- You may end up with a "bad" mix of traits
Now onto the Pure Breds:
Pros:
- You know exactly what the pet you purchase is going to be - size, color, etc
- A pet that has a history that can be traced back many generations
- A pet that you know its medical history along with many generations prior
- A status symbol (sorry to say it but many are)
- A designer pet
Cons:
- Puppy mills - please note that I'm not saying that all pure bred pets come from breeding mills. I know plenty of first class breeders out there!
- Inbreeding
- The passing on of certain undesirable health conditions
- A pet that has a poorer immune system
- Health conditions
- Costly
Hard to choose which is better right? Actually it isn't that hard! My suggestion is, as always, do your homework. Investigate the breed that you like the looks of, then the ones that you like the temperament of, talk to your vet, talk to owners of the breed you are looking at. Most importantly, visit your local shelter. There are so many pets out there that need homes and would love to be a part of your family. Sometimes an older pet is just what you need and it gives them a chance to live out there lives in the comfort of your home, surrounded by love. Many shelters will allow you to spend time with a pet before adopting to be sure the fit is right. The rescue I received my precious little pup from insisted on a home visit to see how the dog liked the home (and to see if my cat, also a rescue, would react). Needless to say, it was a perfect fit and I'm thankful everyday for my two rescues.
Just remember, not all pets are alike. Just like humans, they all have individual quirks and personalities. When you bring that new pet into your home, learn to love who they are, not who you want them to be and everyone will be the better for it.
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