Are mixed breed dogs healthier than purebreds?

Question

Is it true that mutts are healthier than purebreds because of a bigger gene pool? I mean, it logical makes sense; they say the same thing about humans. A person who is half white half black is supposed to be healthier because of a bigger gene pool... or so i heard... is it true that mutt dogs are healthier?

Answer 1

Yes it's true. If you take one family and interbreed them for a hundred years do you think they would be healthier than a family that wasn't inbred? People who say otherwise are either lying because they make profit off of purebreds, or else are ill informed and gullible enough to believe what they hear without researching it.
How many cases of hip dysplasia do you see in the mutt population? How many cases of cerebellar abiotrophy? Inbreeding always causes more problems than a diverse gene pool.

Answer 2

To say mixed breed dogs are healthier than purebreds is also saying that purebreds are healthier than mixed breeds - neither one is correct! A dog with good genes and no problems can exist in either scenario - the only real difference is that purebreds are usually screened and are purposely bred for certain characteristics. Then you get the breeders who breed their dogs with anything - healthy or not - as long as it's a "purebred" that they can make more $$ off of... which flushes all the good breeders work right down the toilet & you're back to square one again.

Answer 3

Mutts aren't necessarily healthier per se, they are still prone to diseases like cancer etc same as any other dog. And need the same amount of veterinary care for annual checkups and shots etc.

However some purebred dogs that are extremely popular are more prone to certain genetic diseases due to irresponsible breeding. Labradors for examples have very high rates of hip, elbow and joint problems because they have been overbred by backyard breeders and puppymillers who have no regard for comfirming the health of the parents. So if you cross a dog that has some of these genetic problems with a mix or another breed you lower the risk of these genetic problems.

So yes, mix breed dogs can be less likely to carry and pass on genetic problems that plague some breeds. But they will not necessarily live longer or healthier lives.

Mutts make fabulous pets, just like purebred dogs. If you do get a purebred dog please contact a reputable breeder who has information about the genetic history of the dog, and a breeder that will give you information about both parents. This is the best way to avoid genetic problems in purebred dogs.

Answer 4

No, not necessarily. A top breeder does health screens for all genetic diseases in that particular breed so breeds only the top quality dogs that are free of health defects. Mutts often are the product of unplanned random breeding so can be doubled up on genetic defects. Such as a Lab/poodle mix doubles up on bad hips,or bad eyes so has more chance than a purebred Lab to Lab breeding where both parents and all their parents were screened for bad hips or eyes. I've carefully chosen most of my dogs from top breeders and had (knock wood) very healthy dogs. But you need to give the proper shots, feed a top quality food, have the dog neutered and spend time giving the dog exercise and grooming to insure the dog stays healthy. And dog unvaccinated can catch parvo or grow poorly due to cheap dog food.

Answer 5

Seems to me a bigger gene pool would make them more prone to health problems because they have who knows how many genes from different breeds. A pure bred dog may have a chance of certain problems for 1 breed. While a mutt has a huge chance of problems from many breeds.
Pure bred dogs are NOT inbred as long as you don't get one from a pet store or back yard breeder. On the other hand who knows the parentage of a mutt??

Answer 6

i was recently reading about just this...
i guess that it's very individual... for example... if two mutts breed that have the same recessive gene that gene could come out in their offspring...so a negative trait can come out in a mutt... if two purebred dogs mate and they have the same negative trait it will also come out... it is more likely that purebreds will have the same negative trait and that it will be passed on... but there's still a chance with mutts...
in my own experience mutts tend to be better dogs but i'm sure that a lot of folks would argue with that... who knows?

the only real advice that i can give you if you're planning to adopt a dog is that if you adopt a mixed breed you're saving a life ... so if in the future that puppy is driving you nuts and you can't figure out what you were thinking when you got her you can tell yourself "well.. i saved her from impending doom.. i made a difference in her life"... if you buy a purebred and the same situation arrises you don't have that comfort of knowing that you saved the dog and therefore are doing a good thing in raising them... \
good luck

Answer 7

While I know that the aphorism that mutts are healthier than purebred dogs is a popular one, it happens to be completely untrue. When bred carefully by a responsible
breeder, a purebred is less likely to exhibit health issues because those breeders work extremely hard to eradicate them from the breed. They will eliminate any dog from their breeding program who manifests them or whose
ANCESTORS, (on their pedigree) have manifested or produced them in their offspring. Responsible breeders also do health screenings and genetic testing
on their dogs.
A mixed breed dog has the potential of inheriting defects and health issues from both or ALL of the breeds whose DNA it carries. If you have a purebred dog who is a carrier of 3 defects known to the breed and you breed it with another purebred of the same breed with those same three defects, you will produce puppies that have the potential of inheriting those THREE defects. If you breed that same dog with a dog of a DIFFERENT breed who carries 3 defects known to THAT particular breed, you will produce puppies with the potential of exhibiting SIX inherited defects. Also, new DNA from a different breed can affect the way genes act, causing a trait that had been recessive to exhibit.
The gene pool for most breeds is large enough, and responsible breeders are very careful to keep it that way. With today's technology and the availability of shipments of fresh/frozen sperm, a breeder virtually has pick of stud's from all over the world.

Answer 8

No -- it is not necessarily true. It is individual, just like humans. Even with a larger gene pool, you may be increasing the odds of genetic faults. Some people think the mixed breeds will have "hybrid vigor" and thus be healthier, but most geneticists say that is not always the case.

Anecdotally -- I have seen as many mixed breed dogs with health problems as pure breds in the claases I teach.

Answer 9

No it is a myth. I have worked with dogs for 25 years, and I've seen just as many mixed breeds with health/temperament problems as purebreds.

In fact, if you get a purebred from a *responsible* breeder who does health testing and pedigree research, your chances of getting a healthy animal are actually much higher than if you get a random-bred mutt or BYB/puppymill purebred.

Answer 10

Sometimes this is true. It is rapidly falling into the confusion stage, because some breeders use insestial practices, to produce a puppy just like mommy or just like daddy, and that shortens the life of the offspring. Some breeders, however, have people bring dogs to Sire or Dam the litter. These, I recommend. A mixed breed is always, and will always be the pet owner's choice. They are fun, active, learn easy, loyal, and less troublesome in some cases. Go with your heart, and remember that the dog is homeless, until you take him home. Enjoy your pet! steve

Answer 11

All I know is my own experience. I always had dogs growing up and as an adult. ALL of my mutt dogs have been relatively problem free in regards to health issues.
On the other hand, the purebreds have had numerous health or temperament problems except for one. I am sure this was due to poor breeding (they were mostly rescue dogs or were purchased years and years ago before anyone knew about puppy mills).
The only reason I would ever intentionally have a purebred is if it were a rescue dog.