Mongrel or purebred dog: which one to choose?

Appearance and character

A breed is a group of pets of the same species artificially bred by man. Breed – these are certain features of the exterior and the likely qualities of character. 

Representatives of the breed involved in breeding meet a single standard in terms of appearance, character, psyche, instincts. This ensures predictability.

The breeder with a high degree of probability can guarantee that puppies with certain working qualities, character and external characteristics will be obtained from the parent pair of dogs. This is a huge plus since you know what kind of pet you are introducing into your family. You have every chance to find the perfect companion just for you.

The mongrel does not belong to any of the officially recognized breeds. Her ancestors can be a variety of dogs. She can have any dimensions, qualities, appearance – it depends on the parent couple and their ancestors. With cur puppies, it is impossible to predict what size a representative will be when they grow up, as we are dealing with a chaotic set of innate qualities and characteristics. Experts call a mongrel dog a pig in a poke. By purchasing such a puppy, you cannot know how he will grow up. But he will have an original appearance: you will definitely not find a second such dog. 

Mutts are usually unpretentious in care. But pedigree pets, which are shown at exhibitions, will need the services of a groomer and special cosmetics to maintain an impeccable appearance. To win titles, the pet will also need additional training: he must be able to behave with dignity in the ring or, for example, on an obstacle course. You have to be willing to work with him a lot. 

Titles make a pet a desirable mating candidate. Breeders want puppies to be parents with champion dogs with an interesting pedigree. The owners of the mutts have no problems with the organization of matings and breeding, since outbred dogs do not participate in breeding.

Pet health

When it comes to outbred pets, many experts talk about their strong immunity and disease resistance. This is true, but only partly. Many dogs on the street are dying due to lack of medical care and warm shelter, inadequate nutrition. The few that can adapt to harsh conditions survive and give offspring. Therefore, only those with strong immunity remain in the ranks. 

If you decide to adopt a mongrel dog from the street, the first thing you have to do is go to the veterinarian.

A street dweller may have diseases that are dangerous for your loved ones and other pets. So strong immunity can manifest itself only when you have already invested time, effort and money in the health of your new ward.

Under the care of a caring owner, both purebred dogs and mutts have every chance to live a long happy life.

The key to longevity is not only regular visits to the veterinarian and vaccinations, but also a balanced, proper diet. It should not be assumed that the mongrel can eat anything. A high quality complete food or a balanced natural diet is essential for any dog ​​at any age. 

Another key thing to do is the right conditions of detention and upbringing. Even the most beautiful dog by nature will be “ruined” if you do not create optimal physical activity for it, do not use its potential, do not properly educate and socialize it.

Not everything is determined by genes. What exactly your dog will be depends on his genetic factors and the environment in which he lives. From the quality of interaction with its owner and others.

Whom should you choose?

And yet, whom to choose – thoroughbred or mongrel? All dogs are beautiful, the only question is what kind of pet you are looking for.

You can derive a formula: if you need a dog to perform specific tasks, it is better to choose a thoroughbred. And if you just need a pet and companion, then both purebred and thoroughbred will do.

Do not be afraid to listen to your intuition and feel free to consult with experts: animal psychologists, breeders, veterinarians. Listen to other people’s points of view, they will help you strengthen your own.

There is something that unites all dogs. Loyalty to a person and readiness to interact with him, learning ability, game motivation… These and other important qualities made a dog a friend of a person many centuries ago. So whatever dog you choose, remember that she is ready to give you her huge heart and expects attention and care from you. Love your pets!