Cross-Breed Puppy versus a Purebred One
Cross breeding dogs is a very controversial issue. For those who believe in the strength of a purebred, a cross-breed puppy is basically a mutt. However, it is certainly true that some dog breeds in particular have been bred much too closely for many generations, leading to various significant congenital health issues. It can be very difficult to determine which one of the two sides is right. However, although there are some disadvantages to cross-breed puppies, you may feel the advantages weigh more heavily. Let’s take a look at the disadvantages before exploring four reasons why you may want to buy a cross-breed puppy yourself.
Potential Disadvantages to Buying Cross-Breed Puppies
- Difficult to predict temperament.
- Hard to judge potential adult size.
- Potentially risky deliveries.
- Congenital health issues may continue to exist.
- They can be more expensive overall
Advantages of Cross Breeding
Now that you know that there are some potential issues with cross breeding, let’s take a look at four reasons why you may still decide to choose this:
- The look of your dog will be completely unique (very vivid samples of cross-breed pups here). Not everybody wants a dog that looks exactly like every other dog of that breed. Two cross bred puppies will never look the same, as they take different pieces of the genetic makeup of both their mother and their father. This means that each puppy in the litter will have its own markings, overall look and size.
- They can make great pets. As stated, however, you are not guaranteed a certain temperament with a cross-breed puppy. A lot of it is down to how you raise the puppy and how you allow it to socialise.
- In many cases, although not all, there are far fewer congenital issues. This is because there is less chance of these conditions being passed on, so long as neither parent already has them. Unfortunately, most dog breeders don’t know if their dogs already have congenital issues.
- Overtime, a cross-breed can become a pure breed. Today’s pure breeds are, after all, results of older cross-breeds. Selective breeding allows for the best qualities in a certain dog to come to the front and if this is done sufficiently over time, then they may become known as purebreds. Two examples are the Cockapoo and the Labradoodle.
As you can see, the advantages to buying a cross-breed puppy are very significant. If you are on the lookout for a new puppy, and you want one that will not be overcome with various illnesses much too early, then a cross-breed may be right for you. It will also allow you to have a dog that lacks certain qualities. With the Labradoodle, for instance, you can have a dog that has the temperament of a Labrador, but with hypoallergenic fur.