Anglo-Arabs - are they a breed?

I don't really consider them to be a breed, because when you breed 2 anglo-arabians together, you are never 100% sure what if going to come out. It could have Arab-like characteristics or it could have thoroughbred-like characteristics. They make very good horses, but they're as much of a breed as a "cockapoo" dog.

A breed is something that you know what you are going to produce 100% of the time. For example, breeding 2 quarter horses together is going to typically result in a stockier horse with a fairly short back and low tailset. Breeding 2 Arabians together is going to result in a horse with a different number of ribs, a dishy face, and a small frame. Breeding two anglo-arabs together... might get a dish, might not. Might get a TB-sized horse, might get a pony (arab sized) horse. There is so much variation with the breed that it's not really a breed.

It's a very nice mix between 2 breeds, but I don't consider it to be its own breed. I feel the same way about appendix quarter horses.

ADD-- feel like I should say, an Anglo-arabian actually has a purpose whereas a designer dog like a maltipoo or a labradoodle doesn't. Nothing wrong with breeding a nice anglo arabian, they make great eventers, endurance horses, and jumpers!

Hmm... Let me try and explain my view. I think they are a breed, just because they can be registered, but I don't think they are true or anything pure. I also think that their name, Anglo-Arab, is just a shortened version of the cross, just like a "cockapoo". They cannot be bred together to continue their line, they're a "mutt" so to speak.

Are Appendix Quarter Horses a breed? Are Aztecas a breed? It's up to every person to decide. They all have a registry, but they're all mixes. (Although I believe you can breed two Aztecas successfully now but I'm not positive.)

Anyways, I agree with you, it's not a "true" breed. They ARE a cross. Although like Julie said, they actually have a purpose. Unlike those mutts who are running around being backyard bred just for a cute, fluffy, house dog. Now that is wrong. Anglo-Arabs are great horses, as well as other mixes. And with people who know how to breed there's no harm within it.

An Anglo-Arab is facet thoroughbred and facet Arabian. Some individuals rely them as their possess breed and now not a mixture, like an appendix (thoroughbred x quarter horse). Anglo, said Ane-Glow, is the prefix for English-from England-matters. For illustration, an Anglo American, is a joint among the UK and the US. The thoroughbred is more commonly referred to as an English horse, thus the Anglo.

To me, yes, they are a "real" breed.

They have there own association (just like AHA) and can be double - registered.

Although, they're the only exception to AHA, as they don't have to have a pure Arab as one of the parents. They can be bred to another Anglo, a Thoroughbred or an Arab, so long as the foal is at least 25% Arab and no more than 75%.

Anglo-Arabs are indeed a breed in their own right - hence the existence of the Anglo-Arab Stud Book.

Breeding 'true to type'.....hmmm. Depends what characteristics you breed to which characteristics. TBs can turn out extremely fine, or heavy boned: they can be short coupled or long in the back: they can be flighty or phlegmatic: they can range from 14.2hh to 17.2hh: they can be bred for speed or for stamina. Can't see the 'true to type' there....;-)

Breed a TB-like Anglo Arab to a TB-like Anglo Arab, and guess what you'll get? Breed an Arab-type (dished face) Anglo Arab to an Arab-type Anglo Arab..guess what you'll get?

I'd reckon the Anglo-Arab is amongst the purest breeds of all - the TB evolved from crossing Galloway Ponies with Arabs....Anglo-Arabs result in crossing TB (Arab ancestors) with Arabs.

The name 'Anglo-Arab' is indeed an abbreviation: of Anglo-Arabian.

I was able to trace both the Arab and TB sides of my own Anglo-Arab mares pedigrees way back to the early 1600s, to horses bred in the desert.

I wouldn't say it's a real breed. It's the same as a Labradoodle in the dog world. It's a well known (well I hate poodles so not well from me ;p) cross breed that works.

yes they are.