Which do you recommend; mongrel or pedigree?

Question

This will be my first ever pup, and I am thinking about a mongrel, what do you recommend?

Answer 1

I have had them both..and they were all great dogs. So I would say either one would be great for you depends on which one steals your heart. You know something.... a dog doesn't know if it is a mongrel or pedigree we all should take a lesson from them.

Answer 2

Mongrels tend to be hardier and less inbred than pedigree dogs, a good alternative is a cross bread. The main thing with any dog is too see the parents temperament and get the kind of dog that you can handle, watch out for size as that small puppy could turn into a medium to large dog. Collie crosses make lovely pets for a family, I have two, both lovely one springer cross the other terrier cross.
Anyway take your time and think of the sort of dogs you like and that would fit with your lifestyle and the size of your home.
Good luck in choosing
Andy

Answer 3

Depends what you are looking for in a puppy. i prefer pedigree dogs, that what we have always had, you can be sure of breed charecteristics etc. Nowadays you will prob still have to pay something for a mongrel although not to the same extent. Go and visit some litters, see whats available where you live and sure enough you will fall in love with one of them! Go with your gut instinct!

Try www.epupz.co.uk to check whats available near you. Rmember if you get a dos from a shelter/rescue home the chances are you would be getting an adult dog rather than a pup!

Answer 4

I would recommend looking into different breeds and finding one that has character/energy/intelligence traits that suit you the most. Never just buy a dog because it's pretty, it could be the devil incarnate.

There's a good site (see below) I found that has most breeds listed and gives you an idea about how much exercise a particular breed needs, how expensive they are to buy/keep, they're character traits, how easy they are to train, particular health problems etc. It's really good.

If you find a breed that suits you, you could always check the local shelters for one.

Also, a pedigree is no guarantee of a dog's personality. You have to remember that some lines are very inbred which can lead to problems with intelligence and aggression.

Answer 5

Hi, i had the same question when we finally decided to get a dog and my husband said i could have any breed i wanted. As exciting as it sounded, I decided to pay a visit to the local anymal refuge first to see what dogs they had there, and it totally blew my mind! The animal refuge was full of all kinds of dogs, big and small, pedigree and mongrels, but all they all wanted was a good home and someone to love them. It took us several visits before we finally adopted a most beautiful 3 year old border collie, and we couldn't have done a better thing! Not only the dog is absolutely gorgeous and loving , it is also the knowledge that we gave her a good loving home when she was betrayed and abandoned by previous ''owners''. I honestly recommend that you do just that - have a visit to your local animal refuge and you will be spoilt for choice!

Answer 6

I've had two mongrels and one pedigree, the mongrels were good dogs and had good temprements. We now have a pedigree Rohdesian Ridgeback, and despite being a little skitty, she's also fine.
For your first dog I would research which breed and size suits your lifestyle best and relate it to a mongrel.

Answer 7

Get a mongrel. If you get a pedigree and get it neutered it is no longer a pedegree.Before you get the pup read up on the various breeds to find out which suits your life style best and then enjoy.

Answer 8

With a pedigree dog because you know what the parents are like, you Will always know how big your dog will be, what is temperament will be like and what it will look like.

With a mongrel it is more of a lottery because you don't know exactly what you are going to get.

Whatever you choose, mongrel or pedigree it will hopefully bring you many years of pleasure and happiness.

Answer 9

Don´t ever think that you can predict the temperment or health of a dog simple because you know it´s pedigree or because the breed is a good one. I have two mutts and they are the best dogs I could have ever asked for but I also know alot of amazing purebreds. Meet the dog, spend time with him or her and then decide. If you´re going to go with a purebred, meet the breeder and the parents of your litter before you even look at the puppies. Ask questions, do reasearch, invest in training and hope for the best. Any dog you have will only be as good as the work you put into it.

Answer 10

I have both, and as someone mentioned before the pedigree is at the vet more often.
Next time I think I would go for a mongrel again, I have a cocker spaniel crossed with I don't know what and she is super. Actually, I think you should get a spaniel!!!

Answer 11

In my opinion I would say to always, always, always get a pedigree dog. But more importantly that that, get your dog from a reputable breeder that is willing to give you references. As a breeder myself I always strive to do everything to make sure my puppies go to a new loving home and stay there.

With pedigree dogs you are more likely to find a breeder that has had her dogs tested to clear them of any genetic defects known to that breed. They usually spend more time and money to make sure they have a great tempered, healthy and happy sire and dam. Mongrel breeders usually just find the local idiot with a dog and pay him to breed with their female...or they let their dog wander the streets and are surprised when their precious girl comes home pregnant. They are completly irresponsible which is why there are so many mongrel dogs at the animal shelters.

Most breeders are breeding to improve the breed, which means their puppies will be great quality. The one thing to remember about buying a puppy is to ask as many questions as you can about the sire and dams past litters, current litter, health, temperment, living conditions. Question the breeder about his/her breeding background, why they started breeding, their titles in conformation...agility...obedience. Whether they start any type of training with their puppies before sending them home.

You also need to realize that taking home a puppy is a huge responsibility...they look cute and cuddly, but not after they leave a big smelly present on your carpet. You need to exercise the dog regularly (two 30 minute walks daily). You need to train the dog or have the money to have the dog trained. You need to have enough money to pay for any emergency vet visits you may have ($100-$2000+)...and you will have at least one in your dogs lifetime. You need to decide if you can properly stimulate your dog physically and mentally...and if not you will need to realize that you will have to deal with the consequences (separation anxiety, hyperactivity, barking, chewing, etc.)