Pure bred or mutt?

By Amy
Abernathy, Texas
May 15, 2008 6:46pm CST
Some like the beauty and breeding of purebred. The distinction of a pedigree. Some like the idea of breeding their dogs and entering them in shows. Others feel mutts make the best pets. Great personalities, none of the diseases and problems involved in inbreeding and it gives homes to the millions of homeless dogs. What do you have or would you have. What is it about pure breds or mutts you like? Was money a factor?
5 people like this
11 responses
• United States
17 May 08
I choose mutts for no particular reason other than they are most often the ones I come across that need a home.
1 person likes this
@Seraphine (385)
• Finland
16 May 08
I have a purebred and will choose a purebred over a mutt at all times. I like knowing what I get, and with mutts you just never know what temperament they will have as adults nor how healthy they will be. It's just a myth that mutts are healthier than purebreds. I know it's a risk regardless what, but the chances of getting a healthy dog with the correct temperament for its breed is much higher when choosing a purebred. And money is not a factor at all for me. I will gladly pay 1k euros or more again for my next dog just like I did for my current dog as long as I know he comes from a great breeder that does proper health-testing and not some lousy backyard breeder who breeds just to make some money out of his poor dogs.
• Abernathy, Texas
17 May 08
Sounds like you really know and love your purebreds. What kind of dog is that in the picture - is that yours - and will that be your next breed as well?
• Abernathy, Texas
29 Apr 10
he's very cute! is he a member of your family? what's his name?
• Finland
17 May 08
Yes it's mine. It's a cavalier king charles spaniel, and most likely I will get another of this breed in a couple of years.
@ambkeb (782)
• United States
16 May 08
I have a mutt right now! I choose a dog strictly on how it acts with my children. I dont care if its purebred or not as long as we all like it and it gets along well with the children. Right now we have a pitt bull mix dog. We got him from the local animal shelter when he was really little and as he has gotten older you can for sure tell he has pitt bull in him. Everyone told us we were crazy about getting him with having toddlers, but I am a firm believer that there are never any bad dogs just bad owners. Jake (dog) is so lovey with the kids. He even sleeps in bed with my 3 year old son. He has his moments where he just wants to be left alone, but hey everyone has those moments right.
• Abernathy, Texas
17 May 08
How wonderful that he gets along so well with your son. Great criteria too - that he gets along with kids. So you'd return him I guess if it had turned out differently?
@lucy02 (5016)
• United States
16 May 08
It doesn't matter to me if they are mutts are pure bred. All of mine are mixed breed I think. Well 2 are rat terriers or fiest but I was told that is a mixed breed in itself. Two of them found there way to our house on their own. I guess they were abandoned. They are all beautiful dogs and very loving. I wouldn't trade any of them.
• Abernathy, Texas
17 May 08
I love to hear stories of pets who find their human caretakers on their own! Sounds like you're willing to love any dog of any pedigree equally!
@wooitsmolly (3613)
• United States
16 May 08
I do not have a dog at the moment. I am a total cat person (but I love dogs too!) Anyway, I would never every "buy" an animal.. there are just too many homeless ones. I have no interest in my pets being purebred and I feel that breeding is wrong. So I guess I am trying to say I am all for muts (unless there is a purebred dog in the shelter, in which case I would equally consider adopting either kind!)
• Abernathy, Texas
16 May 08
I'm in agreement. It can be expensive for some to get one from a shelter, between shots and the adoption fee, but the money goes to help the dogs, just like the donation to other animal organizations when you adopt rescued pets from them. I would adopt either kind that I really bonded with at the shelter as well. Thanks for contributing! You say at the moment - are you planning on adopting?
1 person likes this
• United States
16 May 08
Someday, yes, when I get my own place. Right now I'm living in apartments and moving around a lot.. I have two cats and my roommate has another cat, so no dogs for us!
@makingpots (11915)
• United States
16 May 08
I have to mutts. Both have been the best pets I could ever imagine. They have great personalities and have been extremely healthy. I rescued both of them from a shelter and would never consider buying a purebred. Money was not a factor, I just couldn't bring myself to pay so much money for a dog when there are some many homeless dogs in the world.
• Abernathy, Texas
16 May 08
Or at least besides the vet bills for check ups, teeth cleanings and shots and the adoption fee at the shelter - all worth it for the love dogs! I love homeless dogs too. I wish more people would one, spay and neuter and two not let their dogs just wander about unattended!
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
15 May 08
I would prefer a mutt any day, I think they are healthier in most cases, I like the idea of rescueing animals from a shelter rather than going to buy one from a breeder....
• Abernathy, Texas
16 May 08
I think they're healthier as well. No inbreeding to cause physical and emotional problems. I love the idea of reescuing animals too - especially the older ones not as likely to be chosen - but trained already and used to having a home!
@joimarquez (1836)
• United States
16 May 08
maltese - dog. maltese dog.
i dont really have a dog right now but if i do decided to get one...i would prefer a pure bred dog than a mutt...i would like a maltese dog.
• Abernathy, Texas
16 May 08
What is it about pure bed dogs, specifically Maltese dogs that you like? Also, what do you mean when you say you don't "really" have a dog right now - do you share one with your family?
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
16 May 08
I had almost a purebred but not quite. we got to pick him out of the litter.....sort of. He was 3/4 cocker and 1/4 springer spaniel. When the day came for us to get him there had been a mix up. The one we actually picked had already been promised to someone else so we got the runt.....and we were truly blessed for he was something else....We had to put him down about 4 years ago. Somedays I still miss him so much I cry.
@jakesmum (154)
• Australia
16 May 08
One of the best dogs we ever had was a mutt - she was a rottweiler bull terrier cross, with a bit of stag hound as well. We couldn't keep her because she killed chikens - she lived a good and long life as a factory guard dog though. But I breed pure bred dogs and I love them heaps. We have schnauzers and pharaoh hounds.The pharaoh hounds are the most wonderful dogs, but we have schnauzers pups at the moment and they are so cute! As for which is healthier - I've seen and heard of lots of cross bred dogs with a myriad of health issues - sensitive stomachs, bad teeth, bad bones, bad joints, bad temperaments. The thing about dog breeders who show their dogs is, they are trying to breed the healthiest, happiest dogs to win in the show ring. Bad temperaments and unsoundness don't make for good show dogs, so pure bred breeders who show are aiming for the best with their pups.
• Abernathy, Texas
16 May 08
Hey jakesmum, thanks for showing us the other end of the coin. So much info, and such a dog lover!
@Java09 (3075)
• United States
7 Feb 10
I love the mixed breeds because that's what I own.I love any dog I own.I bought my dog.He's a Lhasa Apso mixed with something.