July 31 is National Pooch Day, so we’re here to celebrate the scruffy, the unique, the ambiguous, the literal underdogs. While encountering that purebred golden retriever pup or honest dalmatian at your local rescue might seem like hitting the jackpot, allow us to make the case for these classic Heinz 57s with less-than-obvious pedigrees.
While we never dissuade anyone from adopting a dog for any reason, here are some points in favor of mixed breeds.
The best of all worlds
Mutts offers a variety of strains in one package. If you like the pointy ears of a husky but are looking for the size of a beagle instead, you may not have to choose one or the other. Many of our popular “hybrid” breeds that are popular today are prime examples of this thinking. Both Goldendoodles and Maltipoos are technically pooches, but offer the best of both breeds.
Surprise is the spice of life
Although a veterinarian can usually make a solid estimate of the types of breeds that make up a dog, without genetic testing, this is hardly an exact science. To the untrained eye, guessing a mixed breed pup’s final form can be an even greater mystery, as pooches often grow up to look very different than they did when young. A puppy that looks like a Rottweiler can weigh 30 pounds and end up looking more like a beagle. Some might say it’s more of a rogue than a pro, but that depends on your level of adventure.
A one of a kind buddy
Each dog is unique, especially for its owner, who knows all the peculiarities of the personality and the physical characteristics of his dog. But many people choose specific breeds because they have characteristics and traits specific to those breeds. While pooches are just baskets of surprises. The only one who has a dog like yours is You. Even within the same litter, mixed-breed puppies can end up looking very different from each other. This part-beagle, part-Saint-Bernard but with a (probably) hint of Akita is unlikely to be bred.
The benefits of a breed at a fraction of the cost
A patient potential rescuer who has considered a particular breed but doesn’t want to shell out the money a purebred puppy might cost can often find an “unofficial” version of their breed. If you’re not concerned about AKC registration and just want all the benefits of, say, a Boxer or Black Lab, it’s possible to broaden your search and find a similar pup for just adoption fees. Sure, there’s a bit of guesswork in an undocumented dog, but if you’re adopting a young adult rather than a puppy, you can get a good idea of what it’s going to become. Imagine getting all the traits of a Bichon at a fraction of the Bichon price.
Pooches can be healthier (in some ways)
Let’s be clear: there is no conclusive evidence that pooches in general are healthier than purebred dogs. This is a study that in some ways cannot be conducted due to the wide variety of dog breeds and the great variation from dog to dog. However, studies have proven that pooches are less susceptible to certain health issues that tend to plague purebreds. The Institute of Canine Biology, after studying more than 27,000 dogs, found that the incidence of ten inherited genetic disorders was 42% more likely in purebred dogs than in mixed breeds. Aortic stenosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, elbow dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, hypoadrenocorticism, atopic/allergic dermatitis, bloat, cataracts, epilepsy, and portosystemic shunt are more likely to occur in purebred dogs. Thirteen other genetic diseases were found to have the same incidence, regardless of breeding.
Additionally, a pooch is less likely to be predisposed to a condition than a specific breed might have. So this Shepherd/Lab mix can provide all of the benefits of a Shepherd or Lab, but with less risk of suffering from hip dysplasia.
You are more likely to save a life
According to the Humane Society of the United States, 75% of dogs currently in animal shelters are mixed breeds, although some studies put the number as high as 95%. Whichever number you choose to believe, it’s a fact that people tend to cling to their purebred puppies more often, and most purebred puppies are more likely to be adopted s they end up in a shelter. So consider giving a home to a dog that might not otherwise be offered.
