What's the scoop on mixed breeds?

Myths About Mutts

With pure breeds, I know exactly what I'm getting. With mixed breeds, it's always a gamble. True or False?

False. While the general physical and behavioral characteristics of a breed are predictable, the size, appearance, and temperament of most mixed breed dogs can be predicted as well. After all, these days, mutts are simply combinations of different breeds.

Certainly, breed dogs have parents and other ancestors who are all members of the same breed. But mixed or "pure", every animal is an individual. Two pure bred cats in the same litter are never the same "person." They"ll have individual quirks, their own hearts, and their own response to you. Meeting an animal is by far the most important step in knowing what you're getting.

Mixed breeds are "inferior" dogs and cats. True or False?

False. All breeds are manmade, created as a deviation from "the original." Back when all animals picked their own mates, they were naturally more like the mixed breeds of today.

The truth is, breed dogs often have health problems as a result of in-breeding and breeding for characteristics that were attractive to humans, but not so good for the animals (hairless dogs, for example, or dogs with flat or tipped-back noses).

Overbred dogs and cats can pass problems down to mixed-breed puppies. So getting a mix is no guarantee that you won't have breed-related genetic problems. However, the chances of avoiding them are much better with a mix.

Mixed breeds are less prestigious. True or False?

False. What could be more prestigious than a dog or cat who is the only one of its kind? Lots of people can say they have a Persian cat. How many people can say they have a 14% Persian, 27% Himalayan, 31% Maine Coon, 2% Turkish Angora, 18% American Shorthair, and 8% Russian Blue? You may be the only one! Now, that's something to boast about!

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