What are the pro's and con's of mixed-bred and pure-bred dogs?

With mixed breed dogs, you're never quite sure of the health risks because what breeds of dogs are in one is often ambiguous. Usually though, they don't have a lot of health risks really. However, mixed breed dogs generally have good disposition and usually make good family pets, and are easier to obtain because you can find them in animal shelters all accross the country. If you're getting a dog, I highly recommend adopting one from a shelter, they need homes too. With pure bred dogs, the problem is inbreeding, and it can cause multiple problems in pure bred dogs. Certain breeds all have their own health risks, such as large dogs suffering from bloat or small dogs with back problems. Really not a lot of pros for pure breds other than they can have good disposition like mongrels, but they need homes too like mixed breeds.

Big question/answer but put simply, if you want a dog for a specific purpose, or one that looks a certain way, then a purebred is your obvious choice. Provided you locate a good reputable breeder, known for producing generations of sound stock.

If looks, and function don't really matter, then buying a purebred dog isn't going to be important.

I don't hold with 'mix-breeding' - period. There absolutely no need to be mixing two perfectly acceptable breeds together, breeds who have been specifically developed for a purpose over many generations. Add to that the fact that mix-breeding isn't regulated and is done using pet stock which were normally never intended to be bred from. Only the best should ever be used for breeding, and those sold as pets have normally been eliminated from their breeders' programme because they are simply not 'the best'. Much as they make excellent pets. All this mix or designer breeding is storing up far more problems for the future, than ever 'purebred' breeding has!

Outright Mongrels are a different matter. I would say I have nothing against these dogs, but everything against the BYBs who are producing mix-bred puppies, or mutts, for only one thing - money. I also can't understand why people who want to breed, don't do it the right way and get involved in a breed - other than the fact that 'designer dogs' often command a higher price than either of the breeds that make them.

MIXED BREED DOGS -

PROS -

- Individuality of having a special dog!

- Reduces the risk of genetic diseases!

- Can be better for allergy sufferers (like the Labrador or cavachon!)

- Cute as a button!

CONS -

- You never can guess the adult size of the dog.

- You'll have to play the guessing game!

- Can have aggression (like the GSD and Pit bull cross!)

PURE BRED DOGS -

PROS -

- You have a set of characteristics, that will never change!

- You will know what to expect from the behaviour of the dog, growing up.

- You will be able to know the true size, weight etc beforehand!

- Pure bred dogs are meant to be designed to do certain things (like border collies for herding!)

CONS -

- No individuality or uniqueness!

- Lots of health problems.

- Common (if you want something special!)

- No fun, to guess like you would have to do for a mix breed!)

Either are great in my opinion, and i really don't know why people prefer pure breeds only!

Mixed bred dogs- you don't know what to expect. With a pure bred you have a better idea about what diseases or disabilities to look out for and you know what traits(such as good guard dog) your most likely going to get. There's ups and downs with both kinds of dogs.

Mixed breed.

Pros- You get the best from all different breeds. They are less boring in looks. You never know what you're going to get! (if you're into that).

Cons- You never know what you're going to get(size wise and stuff, but you can look at paws to get a fair idea), if from puppy mills they can have neurological and behavioural issues, you'll never know its real ancestry, don't know what you're getting into.

Purebred.

Pros- You know what you're getting, how easy going (or hard) they're going to be, all the information for that breed is in books and on the internet, can ask to see parents and see what they could be like, hopefully registered with NZKC or your countries kennel club..

Cons- More health issues if not good quality, the badly bred ones tend to be more expensive and people go for them because they think "ooo its expensive, must be good" no..

pure breds are more likely to be inbred. Its likely pure breds have less genetic variation and have a higher chance for genetic diseases common in that particular breed. A mix-bred will have more genetic variation. I tend to like mutts better as they look unique.

depends on breeding and dogs

if breeders test for breed defects then you will have a healthier dog