Mixed-breed dogs are no longer the poor relation to purebreds. In fact, in recent years, the demand for crossbreeds, especially Doodles, has overtaken that for pedigree purebred pups!
But why are mixed breeds so much in demand? And why should you consider a mixed-breed dog over a purebred?
Read this article to discover some fascinating fun facts about mixed-breed dogs that will convince you to jump onto the designer dog bandwagon!
Mixed-Breed Dogs Are Healthier Than Purebreds
The first thing to know is that hybrid dogs are generally a healthier option than purebred pups.
Why?
Well, professional breeders use the very best examples of the breed that are as close to the dictated breed standard as possible. The idea is to produce puppies of show standard with perfect confirmation, color, coat type, and trainability. To do that, puppies tend to be very inbred.
Inbreeding happens when two related dogs that have common relatives are mated. The more inbreeding that takes place, the greater the likelihood of the offspring inheriting congenital health disorders.
Mixed-breed dogs are not inbred. So, the chance of their puppies inheriting any congenital disorders is much reduced, thanks to a phenomenon known as “hybrid vigor.”
Essentially, the gene pool hybrid dogs come from is very diverse, so common mutts are typically stronger and more hardy than their purebred, pedigree cousins.
Longer Life Expectancy
Unsurprisingly, designer, mixed-breed dogs generally live longer than many purebreds, thanks to hybrid vigor.
It’s thought that mixed-breed dogs can survive for as long as 20 years or even more, which is incredible! I know that’s true since my mixed-breed Border Collie, German Shepherd, and whatever else hybrid hound lived to be almost 19 years of age. That’s amazingly good going for a large dog.
Mixed-Breed Mystery Appearance!
The wonderful thing about designer dogs is that you have no idea how your puppy will turn out when he reaches adulthood.
Although that’s undoubtedly a fun thing, it can have drawbacks too. Although most puppies are cute, the adult version might not be. For example, random curly tails, one floppy ear and one upright ear, and unexpected coat colors can all appear as the dog matures.
Mixed-breed pups take some DNA from each of their parents. So, if your puppy’s parents are also crossbreeds, no one has a clue how the puppy will turn out when he’s grown! You might be hoping for a light-shedding, curly-coated pup and finish up with a straight-haired, heavy shedder!
However, the main issue with not knowing exactly how your puppy will turn out is that you have no clue how big your dog will turn out to be. If you live in an apartment and you want a small pup, we advise you to pick some variety of Doodle. Doodles are usually bred by responsible, ethical breeders who know what size their puppies will be when fully grown, especially if you opt for an F1 generation dog.
You Can’t Predict Mixed-Breed Temperament
The same goes for predicting a dog’s personality. You might be hoping for a calm, chilled-out dog who’s not fazed by anything, only to end up with a hyperactive escape artist who can easily force his way out of a heavy-duty crate.
That said, if you choose a mixed-breed dog whose parents have a similar nature, it’s a fairly safe bet that your puppy will have a similar temperament when he grows up. On the other hand, if you choose a random crossbreed dog from a rescue or shelter, you have no idea what his temperament will be.
Mixed-Breed Mutts Are Less Expensive To Buy
If you decide to take an unwanted mutt from a rescue or shelter, you deserve a pat on the back! Not only are you saving that dog from a life on the streets, but you could save yourself a lot of money, too!
How so?
Well, rather than buying a dog from a rescue, you “adopt” one. The idea is that you donate to the rescue that helps pay for dog food, vet bill, and the facility’s day-to-day running expenses. Generally, the adoption fee is around $100 or maybe more, depending on the rescue.
Of course, if you have your heart set on a Doodle puppy, you can expect to pay up to $5,000 for the most popular breeds.
Yes, you read that right! Many designer crossbreed dogs command a higher price than purebred pooches.
Mixed-Breed Service Dogs
Did you know that hybrid dogs often work as service dogs?
So, it’s not only purebred dogs that get to work as service animals these days. In fact, the Labradoodle was originally bred in the late 1980s to work as a guide dog, carrying on the tradition of the Labrador retriever, one of the breed’s parent dogs.
Today, mixed-breed dogs work in many different roles, including in law enforcement, as therapy animals, with search and rescue services, and as disability assistance dogs.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it! If you decide to take on a crossbreed dog, you’ll join the many thousands of people who are doing exactly that.
Mixed-breed dogs are often much healthier than purebreds, are longer-lived, and are unique in temperament and looks. As an added bonus, you can enjoy your furry friend’s fun and affection for a lot less money than you would have to spend if you bought a pedigree purebred dog.
So, if you’re considering welcoming a puppy or adult dog into your home, you might consider bringing a mixed-breed pup home.
