SLUMDOG OR MILLIONAIRE?
Why you should adopt a mixed breed puppy
Guest contributor - Karen Gray-Kilfoil (Cape)
Pavement specials, mongrels, slumdogs, or whatever you call them……. You must admit they have a certain charm about them and, despite the derogatory names, they are often appealing in their sometimes odd, but unique appearance. However mixed breeds do have some real advantages over their more aristocratic cousins, the pedigreed dogs.
Many dog experts will advise against getting anything other than a properly bred pedigreed dog. The reasons for this are that it is easier to determine the character and behaviour of a pedigreed puppy, based on the genetic origins of the breed. For instance a Border Collie is almost guaranteed to be very active, very easily trainable and herd other animals as if they were sheep.
While there is nothing wrong with good genes, there are so many other factors that go into making a good dog. The genetic makeup of a dog is only a part of the story. The rest (and I believe more important part) of the story is the environmental influences on the puppy. Everything the puppy experiences affects its behaviour and temperament: such as its mother’s actions, the area where the pup is raised, how many littermates it has, its interactions with other dogs and people, and so on. The list is endless and environmental influences continue to affect the dog until it dies. So every puppy, whether pedigreed or of mixed parentage (even at 8 weeks old) comes with some “baggage”, both genetic and environmental. It is not a clean slate. Pedigreed puppies can (and often do) have as much bad baggage as mixed breeds, depending on the breeder and many other factors. Luckily, despite all this, the way we raise and train a puppy has a lot to do with how it turns out in the end, as young puppies are still so impressionable and sensitive.
It is a recognised fact by most veterinarians (although I have not seen a scientific study to prove it) that mongrels are less likely to have health problems. For example hip dysplasia seems to be more prevalent in certain large breeds, but less common in crossbreeds. Bad breeding practises can cause interbreeding-related health problems. Selection for a certain trait can make the breed less healthy, such as “squashed” faces, which affect breathing. Mixed breeds are generally more resistant to disease, being tougher and stronger than their well-bred relatives.
How to choose a mixed breed puppy:
The ideal age to adopt a puppy is between 8 and 16 weeks of age. After that age (four months) the risk of bad baggage increases and puppies are less able to adapt as time goes by, so you need to be a lot more careful. However this applies as much to pedigreed dogs as mongrels. Also, there are lots of slightly older dogs (juveniles) and mature dogs in rescue centres. Please consider giving these a hom, but check that the rescue centre gets a qualified animal behaviourist to assess each individual dog which will greatly increase the chance of getting a suitable pet.
The most important reason to adopt a crossbreed is that you are giving a home to an animal that may otherwise not find a home and have to be euthanased.
Slumdogs often make the best pets and are usually healthier, so they save us money. Better to feel like a millionaire, than look like one……
Many dog experts will advise against getting anything other than a properly bred pedigreed dog. The reasons for this are that it is easier to determine the character and behaviour of a pedigreed puppy, based on the genetic origins of the breed. For instance a Border Collie is almost guaranteed to be very active, very easily trainable and herd other animals as if they were sheep.
While there is nothing wrong with good genes, there are so many other factors that go into making a good dog. The genetic makeup of a dog is only a part of the story. The rest (and I believe more important part) of the story is the environmental influences on the puppy. Everything the puppy experiences affects its behaviour and temperament: such as its mother’s actions, the area where the pup is raised, how many littermates it has, its interactions with other dogs and people, and so on. The list is endless and environmental influences continue to affect the dog until it dies. So every puppy, whether pedigreed or of mixed parentage (even at 8 weeks old) comes with some “baggage”, both genetic and environmental. It is not a clean slate. Pedigreed puppies can (and often do) have as much bad baggage as mixed breeds, depending on the breeder and many other factors. Luckily, despite all this, the way we raise and train a puppy has a lot to do with how it turns out in the end, as young puppies are still so impressionable and sensitive.
It is a recognised fact by most veterinarians (although I have not seen a scientific study to prove it) that mongrels are less likely to have health problems. For example hip dysplasia seems to be more prevalent in certain large breeds, but less common in crossbreeds. Bad breeding practises can cause interbreeding-related health problems. Selection for a certain trait can make the breed less healthy, such as “squashed” faces, which affect breathing. Mixed breeds are generally more resistant to disease, being tougher and stronger than their well-bred relatives.
How to choose a mixed breed puppy:
- Do some research about what sort of dog you want. Look at breed books or websites for ideas. What do you want a dog for? Companion / Watchdog / Sport? Consider your lifestyle, living space and family composition. A small dog generally needs less space. A Maltese requires more grooming than a Jack Russell Terrier. A Jack Russell Terrier needs daily walks, games and training, while a Basset Hound needs less activity.
- Make a short list of the types of breeds you like and think will suit your home. Try to get pictures of these breeds and perhaps also of the puppies of these breeds.
- Go to your local adoption centre with your list and pictures. Explain what you would like and why, but also that you would be happy to take a mixed breed that fits most of your criteria. It is uncanny how often a dog that looks like a Labrador will behave exactly like a pedigreed one.
- If there is a suitable puppy available, have a look at its mother (if possible) and compare the pup and its mother to your pictures to check that it really is more or less what you had in mind. Size is the most important factor and a second opinion from an experienced veterinarian or breeder is a good idea before making a decision. It is often difficult to tell what size a puppy will grow up to be and looking at the paws is not always reliable.
- You may have to go to more than one centre or wait a few months to find the right puppy, but it will be worthwhile making the extra effort as your puppy may be with you for the next 15 years.
The ideal age to adopt a puppy is between 8 and 16 weeks of age. After that age (four months) the risk of bad baggage increases and puppies are less able to adapt as time goes by, so you need to be a lot more careful. However this applies as much to pedigreed dogs as mongrels. Also, there are lots of slightly older dogs (juveniles) and mature dogs in rescue centres. Please consider giving these a hom, but check that the rescue centre gets a qualified animal behaviourist to assess each individual dog which will greatly increase the chance of getting a suitable pet.
The most important reason to adopt a crossbreed is that you are giving a home to an animal that may otherwise not find a home and have to be euthanased.
Slumdogs often make the best pets and are usually healthier, so they save us money. Better to feel like a millionaire, than look like one……
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