

Having a fresh bloodline makes little difference if the parents aren't healthy. Producing a mixed breed, in other words, is the opposite of inbreeding.īut you can't assume your mixed breed will be the healthiest dog you've ever had. Mixed breed dogs are generally considered healthier than purebred dogs because they draw from a broader gene pool. The only guarantee is that whatever you end up with is something unique and inimitable. With any blend, there's no guarantee you'll get the best traits of the contributing breeds. A dog that appears to be a mix of Labrador and Border Collie, for instance, may have the easygoing friendliness of the first and the whip-smart agility of the second. This means it's likely some of those breeds' traits are carrying through.
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That is, you can identify a smattering of Australian Cattle Dog, or Beagle, or Collie. These mystery dogs are more accurately called non-breeds, than mixed breeds.īut a lot of mixed breeds truly are mixed. If you find one particularly baffling, it may be because he comes from a long line of dogs who were never selectively bred. Some mutts' heritage is impossible to decipher. As with purebreds, the mixed breed's temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and early socialization. Mixed breeds boast personalities as unpredictable and varied as those of their human owners. This can have the effect of stripping away expectations and so you appreciate even more deeply the surprises and joys that come from living with a dog.įinally, since about 75 percent of the dogs in shelters on any given day are mixed breeds, choosing a mutt usually means giving a home to a dog who really needs one, and that's nice, too. When you adopt a mixed breed you learn to think in terms of personality, rather than breed. You'll get along well with your dog because you both love to run, for instance, not because a piece of paper says he comes from a long line of dogs originating on the coast of Croatia. The truth is, heritage matters very little. (Choosing a purebred, on the other hand, is a little like saying, "I only date blondes." You can still find a love match, but you may end up overlooking someone who's even more perfect for you.)

Young children and dogs of any breed should always be supervised by an adult and never left alone together, period.Ĭlick here for more information on this characteristicĬhoosing a mutt is a lot like dating: you may meet a few dogs that seem interesting, and then fall in love with one for reasons that make sense only to you. No matter what the breed or breed type, all dogs have strong jaws, sharp pointy teeth, and may bite in stressful circumstances.
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Dogs from any breed can be good with children based on their past experiences, training on how to get along with kids, and personality. Our ratings are generalizations, and they're not a guarantee of how any breed or individual dog will behave. Small, delicate, and potentially snappy dogs such as Chihuahuas aren't always so family-friendly. You may be surprised by who's on that list: Fierce-looking Boxers are considered good with children, as are American Staffordshire Terriers (which are considered Pit Bulls). Being gentle with children, sturdy enough to handle the heavy-handed pets and hugs they can dish out, and having a blasé attitude toward running, screaming children are all traits that make a kid-friendly dog.
