Pure Or Mixed Breeds - Things You Ought To Know Now

Purebreds, you can find them in movies, in forums, web sites and even exclusively in dog shows. They are popular and are well-liked by many people and dog owners. Cross breeds also known as mutts are not so fortunate. They get little attention and are widely found in animal shelters. Why is there such a huge disparity? This article seeks to discuss that and help you learn more about pure and mixed breeds.

Pure Breeds are dogs that are well-documented and acknowledged by the public as a group with similar lineage. They are bred carefully with dogs from the same ancestry to ensure that they maintain a certain standard for that particular breed with similar temperament, characteristics and appearances. To be recognized as a true breed, it must be proven that the mating of the two adult dogs have to be of the same type, and will have to pass on their exact characteristics, in terms of both appearance and behavior to their offspring - this is known as breeding true.

For people involved with professional breeding, there is a huge difference between purebreds and mutts. Some cross breeds might well be purebred, they only lack the proper paper to prove that they are so. If you are looking for a pet and have no interest in entering competitions with your dog, this might be a viable option for you and the cost is considerably lower too.

The selection process of purebreds is done very 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. During testing, should the pair is not compatible due to diseases that are common in a specific breed, another dog will be selected as a match instead.

There are many places to get a dog such as a kennel or the pet store but if you want to get a purebred, it is advisable to seek a reputable breeder to get the best results.

Cross breeds in contrast are likely to have been bred out of experimentation to produce a better, stronger and healthier breed than its parents. It is also very likely that they are the results of accidents. In general, mixed breeds are so diverse it is difficult for anyone to go through all their characteristics in full.

Health wise, purebred dogs that come from a line of strong parents could have lesser problems because breeders screen the pair before the process happens. On the other hand, a relatively common issue with purebreds is that they face higher chances to inherit health problems from their parents; eye diseases that cause blindness, bone and joint disorders that cause lameness, sudden heart disease that causes early death, epilepsy, seizures, or immune system diseases, just to name a few of the over 300 genetic health defects documented in dogs.

The chances of a purebred being infected with inherited health issues is much higher due to 2 primary reasons:

1. The AKC requires that all purebred offspring come from the mating of dogs registered with their club. This rule take off the large majority of other dogs that could have been available to breed. Because of this reason, most purebreds are bred on a close gene pool with similar ancestry. Without the introduction of new and unrelated genes in to the breed in the long run, purebred dogs suffer from "loss of genetic diversity," which inevitably leads to dogs with inherited health problems.

2. 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.

To avoid getting a dog with inherited health problems, you should always look for responsible breeders who make their dogs go through medical tests as proof of good health. Some of these tests include - X-rays to detect hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, Ophthalmic exam to determine the presence of PRA and cataracts, Cardiac exam to detect certain heart diseases. Bear in mind that not all tests are required as certain inherited health problems are present in certain breeds only.

Mixed bred dogs on the other hand are surprising generally healthier than purebreds. Most mixed breeds have a good genetic diversity that tends to promote overall health and vigor. The main reason is because the parents' genes are by and large not related, it is highly unlikely for the puppy to inherit bad genes that are not presented in both parents. Studies have shown that inherited health problems are often due to the pairing of dogs with similar defective genes.

Some people prefer purebreds to mixed breeds. The primary reason is that it carries a certain prestige with it, often glamorized by television, movies and breeders. They are also constantly featured at dog shows where mixed dogs are not allowed to compete in without a compelling reason.

These events led to the mixed breeds being seen as inferior dogs compare to the purebreds and therefore generate lesser interest among the public. It is a shame to see most of them being round up frequently and left to die in animal shelters.

In short, purebred dogs offer owners predictable temperament, characteristics and appearances when they grow up, but stand higher chances to suffer from inherited health problems.

Cross breeds are more likely to be healthier on the whole, nevertheless, you have to accept the fact that your dog has the chance to grow up into something that is not predictable, including his appearance and temperament. The only option is to make smart educated guesses by observing its parents closely. Nevertheless, you also know that your dog is truly unique and one of its kind.

Adding a dog to your family is a life changing and long commitment. You should not make a decision based on whether it is pure or mixed breed alone but also consider carefully the breed type that is most suitable for your lifestyle.