Purebred vs Hybrid (health issues)?

Question

I have heard from many people that Purebread dogs tend to be more likely to have health issues than Hybrids. People say this because when 2 dogs that are more likely to get a certain problem are bred together, then the litter is at higher risk to get these certain problems. Hybrids are less likely to have problems because the genetics aren't as strong, so they have less chance. I've had 2 great mutts and one was healthy basically its whole life, and the other had quite a bit of health issues. So, my question is...Would Hybrids be at less of risk to developing certain problems, or would they be more likely to develop many problems, because they are taking on both the mothers and fathers health issues. Which type of dog would be less likely of having health issues, a purebred or hybrid. Thanks...

Thanks guys for the great information, really helps. Everyones comments were helpful and they really helped me understand the concept of breeding and what goes into it. Thanks a lot, we know a well reputable breeder out in Texas that we may consider checking into. thanks again everyone...

Answer 1

If you buy a purebred from a reputable breeder, they do all health checks pertinent to their breed before breeding that dog. They will have cleared all their breeding stock for things like hip and elbow dysplasia, heart problems, hereditary eye problems, etc. Therefore, if they're not present in the line, they won't appear in the puppies.

If by hybrids you mean mutts, they can carry the possible defects from all the breeds in them. And you have the added problem of them being bred by back yard breeders who don't even know that dogs should be cleared for hereditary health problems, let alone doing it.

The problem is there's plenty of back yard breeders who have purebreds, too - and that's where the majority of the problems come from. They're most severe in any breed that gets really popular. Your best bet is always to buy from a reputable breeder who does all health checks and you need to ask and expect to answer a whole lot of questions.

I've had dozens of purebreds and the only real health problem I encountered was arthritis in one dog.

Answer 2

There are many different issues that you have to take into account.

If you get a high quality purebred dog, who was bred by a reputable breeder who have done all the proper testing, then the chances are, it will be healthier than any mixed breed dog. The reason for this is that reputable breeders will not breed a dog that does not possess the good qualities for the breed.

If you get a purebred dog from a puppy mill or back yard breeder, this will not be the case. They just breed anything that will produce puppies.

Mixed breeds are not necessarily healthier than purebreds because you are mixing two dogs that are not the highest quality to begin with, not bred by reputable breeders, and you aren't really sure what level the recessive health traits are and it they will appear. For example, if you are mixing anything with a Shih Tzu. Shih Tzu traits are mostly recessive, so if the other dog carried any poor health traits, it would almost be certain that the offspring will have poor health.

Answer 3

Walking Lady and Katslookup nailed it right on the head. This crap of muts being heathier then pure bred dogs has been aroung for a long time and it is time to bury it. In 27 years of owning only pure bred dogs, or dogs that are at least mostly pure bred going back 3-4 generations, I have never had a problem with any of them. Not being a breeder myself, I once asked one of the breeders I deal with if he would breed these two particular dogs together because I liked both of them. OMG, I thought I would never hear the end of it. How dare I even suggest that these two dogs be bred together because "the secong bloodline would get mixed with the fourth bloodline going back to the first bloodline and that would produce, and on and on for the next hour and a half" and most of it was in German. Breeders do line breed and inbreed, but, there is so much homework involved to NOT produce defective animals and there is also "culling". So, no, mutts are not any healthier then a pure bred dog, as a matter of fact, it is the other way around.

Answer 4

Dogs not of a single breed are called cross-breeds, not hybrids.

Most cross-breeds have not been inbred---(a daughter bred back to her sire, for example. Breeders do this to develop a desirable conformation trait (whatever is trendy) more quickly than out-breeding.) The risk, of course, are health problems. This is why cousins, and siblings are not legally allowed to marry --- too much of a chance of the resulting children not being very healthy.

That you had one crossbreed that was not healthy and one that was is hardly a very good sample.... but the answer is rather obvious --- mutts are generally healthier than purebreds....ask any vet.

Answer 5

Hybrid dogs are lessl ikely to have severe health issues because they aren't inbred like purebreds. People have so screwed up animal genetics by breeding for a specific trait or look or color while disregarding the other issues which should be more important. For instance, all the short-muzzled breeds like boxers, pomeranians, pugs are more likely to have sinus problems; daschunds have back problems; german shepherds are being bred for that low-slung hind end which creates hip problems, etc.

When you mix breeds, you may have health problems in both parents, but if the condition is not genetically dominant as it is in purebreds, then the pups are less likely to have the problem.

Answer 6

You're basically correct.

The fact of the matter is, in order to maintain breed standards, only certain dogs can be selected for breeding - those with the desired characteristics. This narrows the gene pool selection dramatically. It also means that genetic defects tend to be carried on down the line instead of being bred out, as would happen in nature. Cross-breeds are generally less prone to problems because they have a far greater range of genes.

Most breeds of dog come with their inherant defects. It's unfortunate, but it's the inevitable drawback of choosing and discarding desirable traits. Many of the traits desirable in certain breeds are in fact drawbacks health wise - for instance, the dome-shaped heads that chihuahuas have are most often the results of hydrocephalus (water on the brain)!

Here is a list of breeds, off the top of my head, with their characteristic health problems. It doesn't mean ALL animals from these breeds will DEFINITELY suffer, just that they are prone to:

+ Cavalier King Charles - congestive heart failure and a high propensity to obesity. Also eye problems.
+ Boxers - heart conditions. (I met one just today, 1 year old, that had just dropped dead of a heart attack. It broke my heart and has really made me reconsider getting a boxer)
+ Labradors - hip/elbow dysplasia and obesity
+ German Shepherds - hip/elbow dysplasia (have to have their level of this assessed if they are to become working dogs), anal furunculosis
+ Chihuahuas - hydrocephalus
+ Bulldogs - breeding females can only give birth by caesarean (quite a major design flaw!)

Ideally, animals with these conditions would not be bred from, so as to 'breed out' the traits - but sadly they are often chosen in favour of other desirable traits, like a shiny coat or something! Responsible breeders take all this into consideration.

Not that cross-breeds don't get sick - of course they do! But at least they don't come with their very own breed label-warnings!

Chalice

Answer 7

long hair is nice but requires maintenance and u have to grow it out for a long time

Answer 8

a mixed breed b/c you are right the dominant gene is offset by others but in pure breed there is nothing to keep that dominant gene in check through really mixed genealogy. That is one bad thing about pure breed, tendency to heart problems, hip etc; greater percentage than a mixed breed dog

Answer 9

I prefer hair that will is shoulder length or longer, As well as since that men who like ladies are more often then not straight, they like long hair because it looks more feminine, as most males have short hair.

Answer 10

Hybrid's are healthier because they have the adaptations and imunations of all the dogs it is "made of".