I love ALL dogs, but clients often ask what my favorite dog breed is. I have to tell them, hands down, the "Mutt" is my favorite of all dogs! Here is a great article I found on just why they are so great!
(Dolly, is my girl and my favorite breed. All American Mutt. She is smart, athletic, healthy, loving and beautiful.)
The Advantages of Adopting a Mixed Breed Dog Why a Mutt Dog May be the Best Choice of Pet Feb 11, 2010 Kristie Leong
Mutt or purebred- which makes a better pet? Find out why a mutt dog may be the better choice. Dogs provide loyal and loving companionship and are a good source of company that never talks back. No wonder so many people select a dog as a pet! When it’s time to choose a canine companion, some people go to a breeder and buy a purebred, while others head to their local animal shelter and fall in love with a mixed breed dog. For the majority of people, the mixed breed is a wise choice. Adopting a mixed breed dog has significant advantages over buying a purebred. Let’s face it – most people love a mutt – despite the fact that they don’t come with papers or a championship lineage. What are some advantages of having a mutt as a pet?
Mutt vs. Purebred: Mutts are Usually Healthier Purebred dogs adopted from breeders are usually extensively inbred which puts them at risk for a number of health problems unique to their particular breed. The majority of purebred dogs are susceptible to some type of health issue that can shorten their life span or lead to hefty veterinary bills. Mixed breed dogs, on the other hand, have the genes of two different dog breeds which make them less prone to breed specific illnesses.
Mutt or Purebred: Who Lives Longer? No one likes to deal with the death of a beloved pet and dogs live relatively short lives as it is. A study done in Denmark showed that mutts generally outlast their purebred counterparts when it comes to longevity. This is because they’re less inbred and have fewer health problems. All in all, mutt dogs live longer because they’re healthier.
Is a Mutt Dog More Intelligent? Researchers at the University of Averdeen in Scotland tested the intelligence of a variety of mixed breed and purebred dogs. They found that mutts were better problem solvers and had greater spatial reasoning ability than purebred dogs. Purebred dogs may have the papers, but mutt dogs are the canine quick thinkers and scholars of the dog world.
Mixed Breed Dogs are One of a Kind In a world of sameness, a mutt dog is truly one of a kind. Mixed breed dogs are so varied in appearance that the same one is never seen twice. This gives them a certain distinction that’s not found with a purebred dog that looks like every other dog of its breed. Their individuality makes mixed breeds truly special.
Mutts are Easy on the Budget Compare the cost of adopting a mixed breed from an animal shelter to buying a purebred dog from a breeder. Add in the additional veterinary costs that a purebred dog will probably need due to health problems - and the mutt is truly a bargain. More importantly, adopting a mixed breed dog means saving a life and giving a dog a second chance. It also helps with the problem of pet overpopulation. Adopting a mutt is a decision to feel good about. References: Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 2003, 58, 53-74. http://www.zootoo.com Read more at Suite101: The Advantages of Adopting a Mixed Breed Dog: Why a Mutt Dog May be the Best Choice of Pet http://www.suite101.com/content/the-advantages-of-adopting-a-mixed-breed-dog-a200922#ixzz1Jk8DolRX
