Why are some people against crossing dog breeds?

Question

Some people say that crossing dog breeds is bad and crosses have a higher chance to end up in shelters. This is ridiculous because crossing breeds is actually GOOD for the puppies. It makes healthier dogs because of something called "hybrid vigor". And why would a cross have a higher chance ending up in a shelter? That makes no sense at all. Some people say a mongrel's puppy's adult temperment is "unknown", but that is baloney. The vast majority of all dogs (mongrel or not) have good temperments if raised properly, and it has nothing to do with whether it's a mongrel or not. I don't see anything wrong at all with crossing dog breeds, and it's actually beneficial to the puppies.

Forget about the confirmation shows and stuff, cause that stuff is just nonsense anyways.

Comments??

Answer 1

Hybrid or mixed breed dogs can still have genetic problems because you are still crossing two first generation dogs. Breeders who breed purebred to purebred creating a first generation hybrid believe in the heterosis effect and hybrid vigor. Vigor means, "Physical or mental strength, energy, or force." Unlike purebred dogs, when you adopt a hybrid, you do not know exactly what the temperament, size of the dog, or exact look of the dog will be. When you breed two different types of purebred dogs together you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. If you are stuck on a hybrid dog how do you know which one to choose? Read the temperament and care for both breeds in the cross and be prepared for any combination of the two. If everything about both breeds matches you and your families personality and lifestyle, than you can most likely assume this cross will work for you. If there is ANYTHING about either breed in the cross that you do not feel matches what you are looking for, avoid that cross. Do not assume or take the chance that only the good characteristics will emerge. You may be in for a big surprise and it is not fair to the puppy to chance that.

However, I believe that a good mutt or mix, is far superior to an ill-bred purebred.

Answer 2

Mutts do tend to be healthier. I resent it when they call it by a fancy name and charge lots of money for it such as Labradoodle, Peek a Poo, Great Saint, and all the other made up names. It's still a MIXED BREED, but for high dollar. As for the mix breeds, there are just too many being put down in shelters. Too many dogs made for too little homes.

Answer 3

Mmmkay. Once again (I feel like I say this at least once a week), there is NO SUCH THING AS HYBRID VIGOR AS IT APPLIES TO DOG GENETICS! "Hybrid Vigor" is for simple organisms, like pea plants! Do some research!

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/NoPuppyMillsVA/Poo-dogs___Designer_Mutts/Genetics_and_Hybrid_Vigor/genetics_and_hybrid_vigor.html
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/NoPuppyMillsVA/Poo-dogs___Designer_Mutts/Hybrid_Vigor/hybrid_vigor.html
http://www.pugs.org/Puggles.htm
http://members.tripod.com/antique_fcr/goodbreeder.html#cockapoo


If two dogs of different breeds are carriers for hip dysplasia, and they mate, the chances of their mixed-breed offspring having hip dysplasia are pretty darn good, regardless of the fact that the offspring are mixed. A dog is a dog is a dog. Being a mutt will not magically save them from their own polygenetic traits!

In addition, purebreds who are bred by responsible breeders who test for genetic problems are less likely to produce these defects than mixed breeds bred by money-grubbing morons who don't do any testing at all because, again, those purebreds used to create the mixed breed were likely NOT well-bred, and their ancestors were never testing for genetic defects.

I've worked with dogs in numerous capacities for 20 years, and I have seen just as many genetic health problems in mixed breeds as I have in purebreds. If you are basing your support for mixed breeds on "hybrid vigor" alone, you are stunningly misinformed.

The bottom line is this: There is NO REASON to create mixed breeds on purpose when thousands of mixes die in shelters every day. We don't need any more "new" breeds of companion dog. We have plenty of companion dogs. Plenty in shelters, plenty in rescue groups, plenty who are euthanized on a daily basis.

If people put half the energy into saving shelter dogs that they did into creating these "new", market-friendly breeds designed ONLY to make their creators money, there would be no more homeless dogs in the world!

Answer 4

I am so sick of this question. There is nothing wrong with mutts. I have a rescue mutt. What I have a problem with are people who intentionally breed mutts, give them a stupid name, and sell them for ungodly amounts of money. "Goldendoodle", "Malti-Poo", "Bagel Hound" etc. None of those are breeds, they are mutts. Looks has nothing to do with it. To me, all dogs look freakin' adorable, purebred or mutt. Sure, confirmation wise, a mutt may look a little "off" but they are no less adorable. Mutts are not healthier than purebreds and vice versa. Reputable breeders are not "bad breeders". Bad breeders are breeders who do no genetic testing, have no return policy and no contract. Both mutt and purebred breeders can fall into the "bad breeder" category. There are plenty of people on this site that are reputable breeders and only breed to better the breed. They love their chosen breed and are doing it right. I WILL NOT fault someone for wanting a puppy whose pedigree they know and that has a predictable temperament.

Answer 5

You sure have fallen for that BULLSH** hook,line & sinker,haven't you???
Starting w/your first sentence..."some people"??? EVERYBODY who knows ANYTHING about dog are against making-more-mutts!!
Obviously *you* DON'T know anything.

"Hybrid vigor" *SOMETIMES* applies to soybeans or corn or rice & * FAILS* miserably in the next cross.(the labradoodle experiment FAILED,btw)

The word hybrid does NOT apply to mutts. It's between 2 SPECIES(horse & donkey=MULE,sterile,btw) NOT 2 dog breeds.

Purebred dogs *MAY* make up 10% of the pound population-depending on region- so...***90%***in pounds are MUTTS-MONGRELS-MIXES-CROSSES

MUTTS ARE ***NOT*** HEALTHIER!!! That's another lie-not just a mistake,a LIE. NOT "beneficial" to ANYTHING.

Temperament IS a breed characteristic!! Terriers are NOT like Herding breeds,etc.,etc.The various BREEDS w/in the Terrier GROUP have different temperaments!

You need to do some research,dear. NOT just fall for every bit of crap you hear.

Answer 6

My step dad who used to breed dogs said to me once that crossbreeding is good only if it takes out predispositions in the animal that are undesirable, such as poor stance, or girth isn't in relation to hips and stuff like that and they normally mate the animal with a better bloodline of the same type;eg for instance breeding a Dalmatian with a better Dalmatian. I hope I haven't lost u to much.

Answer 7

You have a good point.
1) Dog breeders usually prefer purebred.which can be expensive to buy.
2)non dog breeders care enough that they know mixing certain breeds can cause serious health risk for mom and babies,Dog breeders are also aware of this,
3)You need to consult with vets and experience to know which breeds are safe to mix.

Answer 8

Crossing Dog Breeds

Answer 9

Crossbreeding is definately more healthy. Have you ever noticed that pure breeds seem a bit less intelligent comparatively? Its most likely because they tend to be inbred more often than crossbreeds, obviously.

Answer 10

some dog breeds turn out having really weird dogs