I have owned mutts my whole life. I have had healthy mutts and sick mutts, big mutts and little mutts. My current dog is the only purebred I have ever owned. My question is, what is the big deal with the mutt/purebred controversy? Why does it matter?
Why do some people insist that mutts are "smarter" and "healthier" and cite ridiculous reasons like inbreeding? Are people unaware that purebreds, unless bred for the conformation ring, are less inbred than the people accusing them of being inbred? I mean that, every person is inbred, and dogs are no exception, they are just usually less inbred than people because such care is taken (if you get the dog from a good breeder).
Why do people insist that mutts are heartier? They suffer from the same diseases, genetic and environmental, that purebreds do.
Where does this argument come from, and what is your stance?
2006-08-22
11:45:03
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13 answers
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asked by
Maber
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Pets
➔ Dogs
I am not asking about whether you think it's wrong to buy a purebred when so many dogs need help at shelters. I didn't buy a shelter dog *because* of the health issue. Many of them come with immune system, environmental and psychological issues, and this being the first dog I would ever raise from puppyhood, I didn't want to come across some weird issue I'd have to deal with (which exists in every shelter dog) simply because I wouldn't know how to deal with it. That would be unfair to the dog.
2006-08-22
11:47:53 ·
update #1
Okay, seriously, all the people who claim I must be retarded because I'm mentioning inbreeding without knowing what I'm talking about...what the? Do you even KNOW what a COI is? Do you know how to calculate mathematically how inbred any dog/person/whatever is? Do you know YOUR COI? Do you know my dog's COI? Then why are you telling me I don't know what I'm talking about?
2006-08-22
12:44:44 ·
update #2
The mutts are healthier BS is animal rights group propaganda. You know, the whole breeders are evil and should be stopped thing. The sheep just believe whatever they are fed.
What gets me is the people that will go out and buy a PB puppy from a crappy breeder. When/if it has problems, that is their 'proof' that all PBs are sickly.
2006-08-23 05:33:22
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answer #1
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answered by whpptwmn 5
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Having a mutt is similiar to having ancestors from all over. Ever hear "you got the temper from your Irish side" or some other comparison? With our pets, it's no different. We still like to think we know where their certain traits come from. However, the difference DOES come with the breeds. It's not just adoption vs buying a purebred. If you have a Shar pei father and a Lab mother, you'll have a completely different type of dog on your hands. A Shar pei has more respiratory issued than a lab does and also more skin problems, because of all the wrinkles. A lab has more issues like hip dysplasia. A mix of the two would warrant you to believe you have the best of both worlds, having less wrinkles and folds, and having less respiratory issues, and yet being light enough to not have joint issues, etc. Working in a pet department, there is more concern than you might think about inbreeding. It's really not that ridiculous. 'Good breeders' are few and far between, because many people do not know what they need to research, what goes with breeding, etc. Many people want to get a purebred dog so that they can breed the dog themselves, and make a 'quick buck', which is a very sad thing, because they no longer look at the dog as a member of the family, but as another means of income that they will not have to report for tax purposes. So often times, even if you were to go to a pet store and see the papers on the purebred pup you are looking at, there might be a champion or two in the lines, but chances are that the pup comes from a puppy mill.
Point blank, if you get the puppy that fits with your family and your lifestyle, it doesn't matter what kind you get, purebred or not. However, there are many people who spout off information they may have read once and are misquoting, thinking that they are well informed. Do the research yourself, get involved in the purebred/mutt/animal shelter/volunteer world.... go visit sites like the anti-BSL site, and you will see how misinformed much of the world is on the issue of dogs. That's where the argument comes from, misinformation... and in a world where people are trying to ban AmStafs, and Rotties, and German Shepards, we need all the informed people we can get!
2006-08-22 19:22:18
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answer #2
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answered by MK 2
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To argue over such a matter is a waste of time. A dog is a dog no matter what its bred for. And in all reality. EVERY dog is a "mutt". Back when the breeds were first being created, people would breed certain breeds to other breeds and make one purebred. For example, the Rottweiler is a mix of Mastiff and Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. So in reality, the purebred Rottweiler is a so claimed "mutt"
And to say that a purebred isn't healthy is ridiculous. A dog can be unhealthy because it mated with its sibling or parent, but not every purebred is unhealthy. I have Rottweilers that are show dogs and I have a pedigree that goes 8 generations back that proves they aren't inbred. And not every purebred dog is inbred. Same goes with mixed breeds.
A lot of the health depends on the parents. Where the parents displastic? Did the mother have a heart murmur? Yes, some breeds are more susceptible to diseases, but a lot of it depends on the parents.
Just like in people, if your grandpa is diabetic than you maybe as well. A lot of diseases are hereditary.
And just like you said, people are mutts too, so what is the deal?
2006-08-22 19:06:31
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answer #3
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answered by announmous 2
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I really think that animal shelters, like the one I manage has instilled in peoples minds that purebreds aren't any good so they could adopt out more mutts. Do not get me wrong, I love my mutts and hope that everyone one of them find great homes, but I also own 3 purebreds and 2 mutts and they are my babies. So in my opinion, people started this mutt/purebred battle as a guilt trip so more mutts get homes. I do believe that animals should be spayed or neutered because I have had to euthanize so many animals because there is an over population of domestic animals. I think Purebreds should be able to breed but only to save the breed. It should be controlled. Not everyone should be able to breed.
2006-08-22 19:44:13
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answer #4
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answered by angelsforanimals 3
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The reason people claim that mutts are genetically stronger than purebreds is this: if you look at any discussion of the pros and cons of specific breeds of purebred dogs you will come across statements such as this breed is prone to hip displaysia, that breed is susceptible to skin problems or fatty tumors or eye conditions or blindness.
When you find that a certain disease occurs often with a certain breed, it is reasonable to assume that there is some genetic basis for this. Breeding dogs of different breeds will usually weaken the strength of these genetic problems because it broadens the gene pool.
Of course it is never a sure thing. I would assume if you breed two different breeds that each have a genetic predisposition for hip displaysia, you are not reducing the probability that the puppy will have hip displaysia too. However, ON AVERAGE mutts tend to suffer from fewer genetic diseases.
At least when you make the equally ridiculous contention that purebred dogs are "less inbred than people", you qualify that with "(if you get the dog from a good breeder)". The problem is that the VAST majority of breeders do not know a thing about their dog's genetic background or lineage. They have no idea what excellent conformation is. Many mistakenly believe that they can breed any purebred animal merely because it is breathing. They are in it for the money, or because they want to have little babies toddling around. But many will not provide veterinary care for the puppies and have no concern for whether these animals will end up being killed in animal control. The bad breeding practices of these unethical puppy mills and backyard breeders cause all the quality, ethical breeders to be painted with the same bad brush.
You say you are afraid of the weird issues that plague "all" shelter dogs. In the first place, shelter dogs do not need to be scarred. Some are, whether they are purebred or not. Others are perfect, straight out to the cage. Still others have little problems that you train out of them with a little bit of effort. Believe me, with a puppy you have far more "issues" for far longer than you do with a good adult shelter dog. Not only that, but you get months and months for YOU to make critical training mistakes that will cause you purebred beauty to end up right beside the mutt in the shelter.
So don't blame the breeding for social skills. Blame the people. Whether they want a purebred dog merely for snob appeal, or take a mutt because they can get one for free, either way a certain number will ruin their dogs. They don't spend the time they need to raise their dogs properly. They put them in the yard like lawn ornaments and never socialize them or teach them good manners. These are the dogs that will end up killed in animal control because they chew on the lawn furniture or pee on the rug or bite someone that scares them.
So, yes, you can get a very fine dog from a reputable ethical breeder.
Yes, you can get an equally fine mutt (usually for a lot less money) from an animal shelter.
You can also get a train wreck from either source. It is up to YOU as a buyer to shop wisely. Then it is up to YOU to teach your dog good manners and the skills he needs to live in human society.
It's sad, but I speak from experience: many people are too self-involved to think of the dog's needs first.
2006-08-22 19:58:27
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answer #5
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answered by Robin D 4
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I too have owned both pure bred and multi bred dogs. Personally i prefer the pure bred animal simply because I am more aware of what may occur in the future with them. Most of the time research will provide the pure bred dog owner with maladies that are specific to a certain breed. That kind of certainty is not available as far as have seen with a multi breed dog. They may have problems that can not be forseen. It is for that reason that I stick to pugs and bostons.....I know them and thier characteristics for the most part and I can better care for that kind of pet. Hope this helps. =)
2006-08-22 18:56:08
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answer #6
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answered by beckdawgydawg 4
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Wow. I am glad someone has brains. Thank u 4 ur thoughts and I completely agree with u! If u want 2 add to it what about the designer breeds: labradoodle, schnoodle, yorktese, cockapoo. People pay thousands 4 those dogs and they r mutts too!!! What is this world coming 2!
2006-08-22 18:52:14
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answer #7
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answered by I♥myPitbulls 4
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OMG!!!
A person with a BRAIN!!! *&* actually USES IT!!!
HALLELUIAH!!!
Aside from the minor detail here & there...
.ALL purebreds *SHOULD* be "bred for the ring"!!! Otherwise ,you're just breeding "pets-on-purpose",which is JUST as IRRESPONSIBLE as breeding MUTTS/MONGRELS "on purpose"!
99.999(+/-)% of people(you included-sorry!) haven't a CLUE what "in-bred" MEANS!! Or,"line-bred" or "Out-cross" or "Scatter/random bred". Or WHY the different breeding methods are CORRECT *&*NECESSARY!
The rabid "defence" of MUTTS appears to come from those who are "ashamed" of owning them& who "lash-out" as a reaction & those who suffer from "reverse-snobbery"(Burp! I drink BEER & have a MUTT cuz I'se a good-ol-boy) & those who TRULY DON'T know ANYTHING about dogs AT ALL!
But the worst offender is the crook who SPREADS *LIES* so he/she can PEDDLE their JUNK to the GULLIBLE.
2006-08-22 19:22:04
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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Honestly..I don't think it matters. I have three dogs.. a pit bull, a boxer and their pup(a pit bull/boxer mix) and all three are as healthy as can be. I think the logic behind what you are saying is that if it is pure bred then it is more likely to get a disease or condition that is common for that one breed. For example : Siberian huskies are known for hip displesia. So if it is pure bread it is more likely to have hip displecia than lets say...a siberian husky/boxer mix. But at the same time Boxers have their history of known conditions that the same pup can get but would be less likely to get hip dispacia. But if you have a dog that is mixed with four or five diff. breeds who's to say the dog might not get several diff conditions because of all the diff breeds. Ya know.. If the dog fits in with your family I say who cares what breed (or breeds) of dog he/she is.
2006-08-22 19:05:14
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answer #9
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answered by mysticalady510 1
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i have both a purebreed akita & a chow shiba inu mix...the mix is from a shelter & the pure breed from a pet store. my mix is VERY smart & the most well behaved dog ever, whoever lost her lost a special dog. now my akita is also smart , but was harder to potty train due to being in a pet store for 2 months & thinking it was natural to poop in her cage. both dogs are healthy & smart, what one doesen't think of the other does. this is just my personal opnion,,,either dog no matter where it came from will be as smart as it's owner trains it & good health starts with a good dog food ( nutro max, iams, etc)
2006-08-22 18:59:58
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answer #10
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answered by sasha_mocha 2
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