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November 26th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Too often, prospective dog owners searching for an ideal breed overlook the simplest and most obvious choice – a mutt. Hung up on whether a Shih Tzu will be too “yappy” or a golden retriever will have too many health problems, people don’t bother to visit their local animal shelter and consider one of the many wonderful mixed breed dogs that inevitably populate these places. Mutts like many types of dogs, are generally easy to groom if using the right dog cleaning supplies. Genetically speaking, mutts are less predisposed to the kinds of congenital health problems that affect purebred dogs, such as hip dysplasia in Labrador retrievers and breathing problems in pugs.

With a robust genetic stock due to their mixed origins, mutts tend to live longer, healthier lives than many pure breeds. Additionally, purebreds tend to suffer behavioral quirks that mutts don’t seem to often exhibit. While environment and training absolutely have an effect on these traits, mutts are generally well-adjusted, even tempered dogs, and make excellent family pets. Many even like to travel, or course you should use a dog booster car seat if traveling. You can find in mutts a mix of characteristics simply not possible in a purebred. A dog the size of a terrier with the temperament of a Bernard, or a big dog like a Great Dane with the energy of a Jack Russell, for example.

Aside from the cost factor (shelter dogs are much cheaper than buying from a breeder), taking a dog from a shelter is oftentimes saving its life. Mutts tend to cost less, medically, than purebreeds do in the long run. Mutts can make excellent companions if treated with the love and compassion that they deserve, and they will give you the same. If you are thinking about buying a dog, consider first visting your local shelter (prior to contacting a breeder) and meeting one of the many wonderful mixed breeds that are waiting for a home.