Many people who decide to get a Dog want a breed specific Dog or a purebred Dog. A purebred Dog is a dog that is the result of a litter conceived between two parent dogs of the same type. Often, if you purchase from a responsible breeder, the parents of purebred dogs have certain characteristics that are desirable because they reflect the breed standard or a specific appearance or personality trait that a breeder is trying to cultivate.
Purebred dogs have a certain appearance, or style, that appeals to many dog owners. Purebred dogs within a given breed have similar physical characteristics and all look a certain way. For example, most dog owners are very familiar with the long, soft ears of the beagle or the characteristic cuteness of the lab puppy. Owners want a dog that has these recognizable, breed specific features, and chose a purebred dog in order to ensure that they get a dog that has that "look".
Furthermore, purebred dogs tend to have breed specific temperaments, so owners can be reasonably sure of the types of behavior that their dog is genetically predetermined to exhibit. Certain dogs- like labs, golden retrievers and beagles- are known to be good with children. Other dogs, like Jack Russell Terriers, are known to be high in energy. Knowing the behavior that is typical for a breed can give new owners a guide to what their dog will be like, although of course every dog is different.
If owners wish to breed or show their dogs, purchasing a purebred dog with American Kennel Club Papers guaranteeing its pedigree are essential. The American Kennel Club registers dogs bred by responsible breeders that were conceived by two parent dogs that are also AKC registered. AKC registration ensures the "purity" of the dog and preserves the lineage of the breed.
However, there are downsides to getting a purebred dog as well. Some breeds of dogs have genetic issues inherent in the breed. For example, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prone to heart problems, and some labs are prone to hip dysplasia. While the loss of any pet can be traumatic for owners, pet memorials have shown that the early loss of a pet is especially devastating. Although owners memorialize their pets with pet urns or pet headstones, nothing can replace those lost years of love and comfort.
A responsible breeder will perform genetic tests on any dog they breed to ensure that the parents are free of genetic abnormalities, but this is not enough to ensure that you will not be getting a dog that is prone to health issues simply because of the breed.
In addition, some especially popular breeds of dogs have been inbred by irresponsible breeders. This inbreeding exacerbates health issues, and can even change the temperament or appearance of the dog so that the dog no longer reflects the ideals of the breed.
Mixed breed dogs, on the other hand, have certain advantages as well. They may have quirky or unique appearances that appeal to some dog owners. Because they come from different breeds of dogs, they can potentially possess the positive characteristics of each breed, while minimizing the negative characteristics. There may be fewer genetic or health issues as a result of the mixed breeding. Some mixed breed dogs have become so popular that they have almost become "designer" dogs- like the Labradoodle, for example, which is a mix of a lab and a poodle.
One risk when adopting a mixed breed puppy, especially if the origins of the pup are unknown, is the uncertainty factor. Although you can generally predict how large a dog will grow based on paw size, it is impossible to know exactly what you will end up with as far as size, temperament, or appearance, if you adopt a mixed breed pup.
Colleen Mihelich
Owner, Peternity . . . honoring your pet for eternity
http://www.peternity.com
colleen@peternity.com
877-PET-PEACE
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