There are many reasons why people love dogs of either a certain breed or mixed breed pooches and all those reasons are typically valid. There is the right dog out there for everyone.
A mixed-breed dog could be better or worse for you, depending on what you are looking for in a pet. Mixed-breed dogs are less prone to hereditary health problems, so a mutt could be healthier than certain purebred dogs. For that reason, a mutt can also be less expensive to maintain. The background of the dog determines how responsive to training the animal is, or if it is prone to certain behavioral issues. Consistent training, however, is important for all dogs, regardless of their background.
Of course, some things are harder to predict with mutts. You might not even know how big a mixed-breed puppy might grow up to be or if the dog will be outdoorsy and active or a couch potato. Certain characteristics can predict the likelihood of some problems, too.
Are Mixed-Breed Dogs Smarter Than Purebred Dogs?
The mixed-breed dog’s intelligence and responsiveness to training depend on their heritage, there is just more variation, given their background might be unknown. A dog whose parents are a border collie and a corgi would likely have higher working intelligence than a pup whose mom and dad are a pug and a basset hound. If the breed’s background is unknown, it is harder to predict.
Consistent, methodical training is key to good behavior in canines, regardless of how bright the animal is.
Dogs that have at least one parent of a bright breed – and of course it is often an unknown value in mutts – are usually responsive to training by even inexperienced owners or trainers. A dog of mixed heritage might acquire new skills and commands promptly or need frequent repetition, depending on its background.
If an animal has anxiety or does not experience sufficient socialization, the dog is more likely to struggle with comprehension and retention of new skills.
Are Mixed-Breed Dogs More Aggressive?
Overall, mixed-breed dogs are not more prone to aggression or behavioral issues than purebred dogs. Anxiety, lack of socialization, and a history of mistreatment are the most important factors that put animals at risk for aggressive behaviors. Lack of consistent training contributes to behavioral issues, regardless of the breed.
Some behaviors, such as barking and chasing can be mistaken for aggression. Dogs of certain groups, namely herding and guard dogs, were historically bred to bark, for example, so being vocal is a trait that is passed from generation to generation. If your mutt has a herding background, the pup could be naturally quite vocal. However, there is plenty of variation even within a specific breed, let alone in dogs of mixed backgrounds.
A geneticist at the University of Michigan Jeff Kidd notes that the correlation between dog behavior and dog breed is much lower than most people expect, which is one of the conclusions of a study of canine behavior. There is still a predisposition of certain breeds to howl or chase, based on the breed’s role historically, but the variation is great even among the dogs of the same breed.
Many people believe that mutts are more aggressive or harder to train because their background is unknown. In reality, any given mixed-breed dog is not any more likely to have problems with behavior than a purebred animal.
Are Mixed-Breed Dogs Healthier?
Dogs of mixed breed, or unknown background, are less likely to have genetically inherited health conditions due to their greater gene pool. Overall, they are less likely to inherit faulty genes, which is a factor that is protective against some ailments. Since many health problems are genetic, mixed dog breeds are, in some ways, healthier.
At the same time, there are plenty of afflictions that are not genetic so a mutt could still have health struggles. A dog’s features could also play a role in the development of some ailments just due to physiology.
Some features predispose an animal to very specific problems:
- Flatter noses, for example, are associated with breathing and snoring issues because the dog could have some traits of brachycephalic airway syndrome. Brachycephalic dogs are usually intolerant of vigorous activity and hot weather too.
- A dog with a long torso and short legs is at risk for problems with joints and back and could struggle with long walks and running
- Hip dysplasia is common for large dogs
- Larger canines are also at risk for gastric dilatation-volvulus, also known as bloat, which is a relatively common and potentially dangerous condition
And, of course, your mixed-breed pup is likely to accumulate some health issues with age, just like a dog of a specific breed.
Do Mixed Breed Dogs Live Longer?
A dog’s life span is usually related to the size of the breed, and dogs of some heritage backgrounds, such as Berners or Great Danes, live shorter lives on average due to multiple health concerns.
The size of the dog usually also correlates with life expectancy. A mutt with bigger parents is likely to have a shorter life expectancy than a small or medium dog. The dog’s general health status of course also affects the life expectancy to a great extent and the excellent care you provide to your pet maximizes both the span and the quality of its life.
Are Mixed Breed Dogs Cheaper?
The initial cost is likely to be lower for a mixed-breed dog, since, by definition, mutts do not come from breeders who make money by breeding animals.
The cost of maintenance does vary significantly but it depends on the animal’s features and health status:
- Since it is difficult to predict health concerns because the breed is usually unknown it is also hard to tell what the cost of veterinarian care and pet health insurance could be.
- If your mixed-breed pup grows to be large, you will need to provide more food and larger supplies, so basic maintenance could be more pricey.
- Animals with double-layer long fur might need a groomer now and then, which adds to the expenses.
- If you work long hours and your pet develops separation anxiety, you may choose to consider a doggy daycare or dog walker visit.
Can Mixed Breed Dogs Compete In Shows?
Mixed breed dogs are not allowed in conformation shows but are welcome to take part in skills shows, for example, agility shows.
The reason mutts do not come to confirmation shows is that, by definition, those shows are intended to show specimens of specific breeds and to plan for the further development of dog breeds. Conformation shows are events for breeders and fans of purebred dogs.
Skills shows are entirely different and dogs are judged based on their abilities and talents, and a mixed breed dog is just as likely to shine at such events as a purebred one. Agility is a great example of skills competitions and a mixed breed pooch is always welcome and encouraged to join.
To Conclude
The dog has to be the right match for you and your household so a lot depends on what you and your family are looking for in a pet.
Proper socialization and training are key to any dog’s happiness and good behavior so those are the most important factors, more important than the breed. If you are considering a dog from a shelter, the staff and volunteers at the shelter will likely be able to provide plenty of information on the behavior and the needs of the animal. If the dog is still young, in particular, you are likely to achieve great results with training the pup and welcome a forever grateful dog into your family.
If you adopt an older dog, he or she may need more time to adjust but older animals do learn new commands and skills too, and might just need more repetition and positive reinforcement to retain the new skill.
