Hybrid Vs Purebred: Canine Comparisons

Human beings can turn anything into a "mine is better than yours" contest. You see examples of this everywhere, ranging from neighbors battling it out in the holiday lawn decoration department to countries raging against one another in all out war. A more subtle skirmish is the one between purebred dogs and mixed breeds. Of course, every owner will defend their dog's dignity no matter how 'pure' their blood is, but what are the pros and cons?

The Cordial Crossbreed

A mongrel can either be classified as a mixture of two or more breeds or it can be a reference to a dog being born of a feral pack. The title is more commonly associated with the former.

By and large, mixed breeds are often healthier due to having more genetic variations. Breeding dogs prone to parallel health troubles significantly amplifies the risk of health problems in the litter. When two dogs of varying breeds and health issues mate, the odds of serious health-related harms are decreased.

The unique appearance of mixed breeds is also favored among many individuals. Combining the appealing qualities of diverse breeds can make for a rather adorable critter. Some people prefer the exclusive feel that comes from owning a "one of a kind" canine. Along with varying looks, mutts usually come with quirky characteristics that combine when two different breeds mate.

It is often rumored that mutts are more intelligent than purebreds, but this is simply not the case. Pedigree or no, the learning capacity of canines is much like that of people: some are just quicker to catch on than others.

Some disadvantages of the mixed breed dog is they cannot be shown in famous dog shows such as the AKC Tournament of Champions. This is a shortcoming to some, as showing can be a very fun activity that helps you and your pet bond with one another.

The Pampered Purebred

More often than not, a purebred dog will come with papers that can attest to its ancestry. An advantage to owning a pedigreed pet is that their lineage is easily recorded, making you feel at ease that you can discover whether or not the parents had any temperament, health, or other serious issues.

It can be seen as a positive to some people that purebreds come with a "set" look. In fact, most individuals refer to this as a "status symbol". Since purebred dogs fetch a much higher price than their mixed-blooded counterparts, when you walk your Pembroke Welsh Corgi down the street some people can't help but to stop and admire your fancy canine.

Another quality people prefer in papered pooches is the predictability of their characteristics. If you want an easy-going lap dog, you certainly wouldn't choose a hyper-active canine from the herding group. The parents are often on sight when you're buying from a breeder, so disposition of the offspring can be calculated quite simply.

Full-blooded dogs also come with the luxury of being able to show. If a status symbol is important, than nothing would strike your fancy more than being able to show your dog off to the world, and potentially make money doing it!

Canine Conclusion

All dogs have something that makes them special to their owners. Whether it's the knowledge that Fido has the strength and vigor of ten dogs put together, or the fact that you know Fifi could whoop the fur off the Yorkshire Terrier next door in the show ring, everyone has something that attaches them to their pet emotionally. They're all there for us at the end of the day, ears perked and tails wagging. In the end, hybrid versus purebred is just another silly contest. You don't have to be blood (pure or otherwise) to be family.