Purebred, mix, rescue, which one is the best pet?
There’s a long-standing debate over whether mixed-breed dogs make better pets than purebreds and conversations on this matter can get pretty heated. If you're at a party with dog people, stick to politics or religion, and steer clear of this topic if you want a relaxing time. Here are the four sides to this argument.
- The purebred side of the argument is that these dogs were bred for a purpose and lines can be traced for generations. As a result, breed traits, health and temperament are more predictable.
- Often the rescue side of the argument is that there should be no breeding because shelters are full and dogs are euthanized every day because they don't have homes.
- We've all heard of the designer dog, right? These are planned mixes, usually between two purebred dogs of different breeds, and these are in big demand because their people love them. Why shouldn't they be able to get the dog they want, just like everyone else?
- Last, but not least, is the dog sport side. This is basically another version of the designer dog. Many people who compete with their dogs have found the benefit of mixing specific breeds to create a dog better suited for their sport.
So who's right?
Purebreds
Pros
Yes, purebred dogs can be traced back for generations and have more predictable temperaments and known health issues to test for. Genetics is everything and knowing whether or not your dog is suitable for your lifestyle before you bring him or her home can ensure both you and your dog are happy sharing your life together. A dog is a huge commitment, not to be taken lightly, and it is in the best interest of you AND your dog that you research your breed and their needs before making a decision.
By going with a purebred dog, from a breeder you've been following for some time, you'll have a good idea of what to expect. With that said, like people, every dog is unique in personality.
Cons
Purebred dogs were bred for a purpose, and sometimes that purpose can mean certain breeds will not match certain lifestyles because their needs will not be met, resulting in behavioral issues.
There are many unethical breeders, who forge their health certifications and even lie about the parents of litters. These breeders don't care about their dogs, the breed, or you. They are in it to make money. This means, that the information you think you have about your dog can be wrong and you really cannot trace your lines back for generations, and that great hip rating of the parents might be a flat-out lie.
You may have done your research, and excitedly found the perfect breed for you and an ethical breeder, but now they won't sell you a puppy because you've never had that breed or a dog at all. Maybe, they will sell you one, but you have to wait 3 years and you can't imagine waiting 3 years. Ethical breeders often have wait lists and won't sell their puppies to people they don't think are qualified. This is great that they are carefully screening their homes. But it's not great if you are qualified and they just don't want to take a chance on you.
Many breeds are riddled with health issues and are no longer structurally sound due to 'desired' trends that have gotten out of hand.
Shelter or rescue dogs
Pros
The obvious elephant-sized pro is that you are saving a life, and really that's as big a reason for anything right?
Not everyone wants a puppy and some people find that a senior is a better fit for them. This makes a shelter dog perfect.
You can find a purebred or a mixed breed at a shelter or rescue.
You don't have to wait, you can start your search immediately and discover there are many dogs waiting for homes.
Many of these dogs were once perfectly behaved happy pets who just had the bad luck of either being dumped by their human, or their human couldn't afford their medical expenses, or maybe their human passed away. Dogs end up in shelters for many reasons.
Cons
You may not know the breed traits or characteristics of the dog, because mixes aren't as obvious as you'd think. They don't always physically appear like one side of the gene pool.
You don't know the dog's personal history. Often people think their rescue was abused because he or she is afraid of men or scared of new people or random objects. Most likely that isn't the case. Often genetics and lack of socialization could be the cause of that. Either way, a fearful dog may need some time to adjust and may not be comfortable in a chaotic lifestyle.
Without knowing the genetics, you may not be aware of health issues or sensitivities that may arise. For instance, certain breeds are more likely to have cancer when spayed or neutered before a year old, some cannot have ivermectin, and others may not be able to tolerate certain anesthesia.
Designer pet dogs
Pros
Pretty similar to purebred dogs. When bred responsibly, you'll have the genetic information to help you determine whether or not the breed traits of the parents fit into your lifestyle.
You will also have a general idea of what health testing should be done on the parents.
You'll know the approximate size and most likely the type of coat to expect. Knowing how much care the coat requires can be a deciding factor for some people (Me).
Genetic diversity in first-generation mixes (F1 breedings) may improve the health, longevity, and even the breed traits of dogs. However, there is no solid data to say for sure. To read more on this complicated topic, that I do not claim to understand, take a look at The Functional Dog Collaborative blog post on Hybrid Vigor in Dogs.
Cons
As with purebred dogs, there are breeders who are breeding for money and not to produce wonderful healthy pets. Just like with purebred dogs, the breeder may be forging the health certificates.
If the breeder is unethical, there is a good chance these dogs are not being raised in the most ideal situation.
You will face a lot of hate. Unfortunately, it's popular to hate designer dogs.
Sport mixes
Pros
The sports world is pretty small and you can easily see the parents and other offspring competing and even meet them in person at events to get an idea of how sound and athletic they are.
The lines are easy to track and you know the dog is being bred specifically to do well in sports.
From what I've seen, F1 breedings are amazingly consistent.
Sport dog breeders are usually pretty particular about puppy raising.
Cons
Since most of these dogs live their lives as pets and are competing, it could be a long wait to get a puppy, if you get one at all. The wait lists are usually long and if you're not friends with a breeder or highly competitive it can be tough to get a puppy.
So who wins the argument and which makes the best pet?
The dog world is crazy and for some reason, people care about what dog another person gets. Many purebred people hate all mixes and many people with mixes hate mixes that they personally don't like. I find this baffling. I definitely love purebreds and want the breeds preserved. But, due to the amazing genetics of dogs, many breeds aren't a good fit for everyone, but by mixing them they create a perfect pet for some people. Most dogs today are pets, they aren't working on farms, so why not breed dogs that are going to be happier in the world they live in? Why judge if the breeding is done responsibly?
There is also the belief that no dogs should be bred because there are dogs in the shelters. The shelter population is definitely a heartbreaking problem and I wish there was an easy way to solve it. Sometimes I wish I could go adopt them all. No dog deserved to be dumped because its human didn't care. But, if no dogs were bred, there would be no more dogs in 15 years. I don't know the solution, it honestly keeps me up at night, but I also don't believe that responsible breeding is the cause. It also doesn't make you a bad person to want a dog from a breeder. Maybe you have young children and don't feel comfortable bringing home a dog with an unknown background, maybe you had a bad experience with a rescue, maybe you take your dog everywhere you go and it's important that your dog is sound and enjoys going everywhere with you. it does not matter, what your reason is. A dog is a huge commitment, you need to bring home the dog that fits your life and will be happy in your home. That decision is personal and nobody else's business.
My opinion is a good pet is one that happily fits into your life and loves doing the things you love doing, whether that is lounging on the sofa, competing in a ring, hiking, running, biking, or whatever it is YOU love to do with YOUR dog. Whether it's a mixed breed or a purebred dog, only YOU can decide which one is right for your life.
What does matter is that you do your research about the breed, mix, or potential mixes of rescue, do not support puppy mills or unethical breeders, do not dump your dog, and do get involved in your local dog community to learn more about what to look for and how to find the right dog for you. Getting to know dogs personally is the best way to learn about them.
Have you decided on a rescue? If so take advantage of Embark genetic testing could be fun and provide you with some insight into your furry friend's behaviors, needs and potential medical risks.
What dogs have I had in my life?
This would be long if I listed them all, so I'll be vague. I have had purebred dogs from good breeders and from bad breeders, mixes, rescues, a rehome, and several fosters. One of my rescues was a project, one was a perfect little dog from day one. I've had purebred dogs with health issues and a backyard-bred mix with epilepsy. Currently, I have one dog who was rehomed to me and my others purpose-bred dogs. In the future, I'm sure I'll have a rescue. My two little mixes have a blog post about them.
To read more about this week's blog topic, mutts, click the link at the bottom of each page, starting with Linda Perdue of VPShoots Photography sharing her mutts and what their DNA says they are.
10 Comments
Aug 4, 2022, 11:57:57 AM
Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you!
Jul 31, 2022, 4:33:23 PM
Darlene - Great post! Anyone who is about to get a dog should definitely read this. Love that you shared the pros and cons. Yes, so true that the perfect pet just needs to fit our lifestyle!
Jul 29, 2022, 5:16:06 PM
Nicole Hrustyk - So true Holly!
Jul 29, 2022, 5:15:38 PM
Nicole Hrustyk - Thanks, Elaine!
Jul 29, 2022, 5:15:15 PM
Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you Kelly!
Jul 29, 2022, 1:37:49 PM
Holly - Which is best, mutts or purebred dogs? I mean, there is no wrong answer, right? The BEST dog is the one that picks you. Thank you for sharing your heart about this subject. You bring up very thought provoking points.
Jul 29, 2022, 11:58:22 AM
Elaine - Loved your pro and con approach to mixed breeds! Great info!
Jul 29, 2022, 11:44:41 AM
Kelly - Great advice for people to consider before getting a dog. A dog is a long commitment and everyone should take the time to really think about how it will change their life! Beautiful photos too!
Jul 29, 2022, 9:24:07 AM
Nicole Hrustyk - Thank you, Tracy. I think you're right about people thinking with their heart instead of their head when choosing a dog.
Jul 29, 2022, 7:10:40 AM
Tracy Allard - What a great post with lots of useful information to help people make a decision about their next family member - and it always shocks me how LITTLE time, thought and planning often goes into picking a living thing that you will share your life with for the next 12-15 years! As a dog trainer I've seen so much... My favorite part of your post? "A good pet is one that happily fits into your life and loves doing the things you love doing". This!!! I've counseled so many people to do this and they end up selecting a dog with their heart and not their head and 6 months later I get a phone call that their mini-Australian shepherd is ruining their lives and nobody has time for it. Yep, could have told you that wasn't a good match for your family. Your dog has to fit YOUR lifestyle, shelters, rescues and reputable breeders will help you figure that out.