Looking for the Ideal Dog? Think About Adopting a Mutt

If you are thinking about getting a dog, give some serious thought to adopting a mutt-- a mixed breed dog.

Though I am a fan of all dogs, I am deeply committed to mutts. My previous dog had been a dear sweet pure German Shepherd-- a magnificent soul. He had been raised by a group of Monks who are dedicated to careful breeding in order to minimize the occurrence of hip dysplasia and other genetic diseases common to German Shepherds. Sadly, however, despite his pedigree, he died at nine years old of intestinal cancer, another disorder which is apparently common in purebred shepherds.

Thus, at the point of looking for a new dog, I decided to get a mutt, having read that they were genetically hardier, due to their varied gene pool. Mutts are also known for their intelligence-- again a result of not having been inbred. I have never regretted this decision.

There are many good reasons to opt for a mutt in addition to their genetic advantage. There are thousands of wonderful mixed-breed puppies and dogs in need of a good home. Mutts are almost always adopted rather than purchased. Adopting at a local ASPCA or Humane Society is nearly free, though there may be a moderate spaying or neutering fee and / or a basic adoption fee. But this is as opposed to spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on a pure-breed dog. Perhaps the best reason is that there are so many unique and wonderful mutts to choose from.

Here are some hints to adopting the perfect mutt for you and your family:

1) If either you or the dog shelter personnel can determine the most likely breeds that comprise the dog's genetic mix, you can get a good sense of some of the dog's probable traits and habits. For instance, if it is a hound mix, a border collie mix, a shepherd mix, etc. it will likely display many of the traits of that breed, but in modified form.

2) Use the visiting opportunities provided by shelters to meet and spend time with many dogs before you make a decision. Remember, you are looking for your soul-mate!

3) If you already have a dog and are looking for a second dog to expand your family, consider adopting a dog of the same general mix as the one you already have. Hound mixes will be more compatible with hound mixes then they will with border collie mixes, for instance. Dogs of different breeds sometimes speak different dog languages, play different dog games and have entirely different dog interests. Thus, dogs of similar mixes are much more likely to get along. Also strongly consider adopting a second dog of the opposite gender. If you have a male, get a female. There is much less possibility for competition among opposite gender dogs.

4) Dog shelters allow you to spend time with various dogs and puppies so that you can find the one that is right for you. If you have another dog, most shelters will allow you to bring that dog for a visit to see if it and the prospective new sibling are compatible.

5) Since mutts are all unique individuals, take time to find one that is aesthetically pleasing to you. Choose one with length and type of fur that you like to touch and look at. Touch is an extremely important mutual experience between dogs and people. Also consider the dog's size and the amount of room it will have to run and play.

Finding your new best friend will be a process of searching which is very different from buying a purebred puppy from a breeder. Rather than judging the quality of a breeder as your main criteria, you will be engaged in a match-making process with various puppies and dogs. This process of looking for your dog soul-mate is a wonderful experience that you will always remember.

When I got my first hound-mix puppy, almost everyone I encountered, upon learning that my pup was a mutt, smiled and said "Ah-- they're the best kind." Truer words were never spoken.