Pedigree or Mongrel?
There is absolutely nothing wrong with owning a mutt or mongrel dog, and the good news is that there is no evidence that they are any more or less happy than their pedigree cousins.
Mongrels can still be beautiful to look at, and even those that are not quite so aesthetically pleasing can have fantastic personalities and make brilliant pets and loving companions. The great thing about mongrels is that they are totally unique in every way - you’ll never see anyone with a dog that looks exactly like yours!
What’s the difference?
Pedigree: When you buy a pedigree dog you will receive papers giving full details of the dog’s family tree, going back at least three generations. Pedigree dogs are sometimes called purebreds.
Cross-breed: The (often accidental!) result of two different but recognized breeds mating. It may be easier to predict the characteristics of such a dog than it is for a mongrel, particularly if the breeds are from the same group, such as hunting or herding dogs.
Mongrel: The result of two dogs of unknown breeding mating. This unknown lineage means it can be difficult to predict how the offspring will eventually look and behave.
Mongrels: Pros and Cons
In the USA, mongrels are sometimes referred to as mutts, mixed breeds, mixies or ‘All Americans’ reflecting their unknown, multi-racial backgrounds! These dogs:
Pros
- Look unique.
- Often enjoy good health.
- Cost less to buy.
- Are readily available.
- Are cheaper to insure.
- Are less likely to be stolen.
Cons
- May look cute as puppies but not necessarily as adults.
- Can inherit behavior problems.
- May be excluded from top showing or agility competitions.
- May not be fully vaccinated.
Pedigrees: Pros and Cons
There are over 400 pedigree breeds to choose from. With these dogs:
Pros
- You know exactly what the dog will look like.
- Health problems and behavior traits are predictable.
- You will be buying a dog fully vaccinated against disease.
- A properly recorded family tree will be provided along with the dog.
- Breed clubs can provide advice and support.
Cons
- Your puppy will be expensive to buy.
- You may have to wait months for availability.
- Your pet may be targeted by thieves.
- Some are prone to health problems.
January 4th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I have both a pedigree and mongrel dog right now. I picked up one from the local shelter and the other one was bred as a guide dog (he’s still in training). Both dogs are great and actually look very similar like black labs.
The main drawback I had with picking up a dog from the shelter was he was very sickly and anemic from fleas and a stomach virus. It cost about $300 in vet bills to get him healthy, but was well worth it and probably cost less than most pedigree dogs.
January 5th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
I have one Chihuahua who is 18 yrs old. Still hanging on but has CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease)which the Vet gives 3 to 6 months. His name is Poncho after the coat. Bosco was also a Chihuahua but Psycho was more his line. He passed away almost 4 yrs ago at age 17. Was too smart for his britches and very agressive to strangers, great watch dog. Have a picture of Bosco with my husband looking at a 12 pack box of tacos from Taco Bell a few years before Yo Quiero Taco Bell Dog came. Should of sent it in then for the idea. Both are Dear Chihuahua, weight 10 to 12 lbs. Larger the dog, the less likely the life it will have as the same for human, larger the person more problems they will have. Will adopt from a rescue but prefer to find a Chihuahua again for people throughout the last 20 years, that’s all we own, Chihuahua presents. It’s our trademark.
January 5th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I prefer to think of my dog as a “custom blend”. He is free of the inherit genetic weaknesses that result from generations of inbreeding to produce pedigreed dogs (which reinforces the genetics, bad as well as good, from a limited gene pool). He’ll never win a dog show but he’s worn our hearts and has been the best four footed friend we could ask for these past 12 1/2 years.
January 6th, 2008 at 2:26 am
I prefer a mongrel. They just seem to make nicer pets.
January 6th, 2008 at 3:48 am
Excuse me, Dogs that have happy, loving homes, with positive reinforcement training, (yes, dogs need to be trained just like our children do), to become a welcome part of a loving family, and not a dog that is kept outside, or kept in a basement, or chained to a tree, make nice pets, not just mongrels as Jane says, but any dog, purebred OR mongrel….I have three purebreds, that’s all I have had, that is all I will ever have, (standard poodles), great dogs, smart, fast learners, obedience, agility and rally trained, many titles and lots and lots of ribbons.
January 6th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
We own a full bred Chihuahua and initially costed as much as $ 450 in vet visits, medicines and else, plus whatever we paid to get him, so I think that cost wise both full bred and mutt cost lot. We haven’t had to take him to the vet for a couple of months now, so he is not that expensive to keep, plus he loves everyone who loves him… you can take a look at him at our blog http://www.dogs-news.com look for Dali, we’ll be pleased. Thanks
January 11th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
As far as I’m concerned it’s mutts for me! All 4 of my dogs are mutts and have been found or rescued in some way. I have 2 that are going on 10 and they both have been very healthy for their whole lives no special problems like you get with some purebreds.
Not that I’m against purebred dogs but I would rather rescue one from the pound like our dog Baron than pay for a pedigree dog. There is no shortage of people looking for purebreds and I’d rather give a rescue/pound dog a 2nd chance.
January 19th, 2008 at 4:35 am
All I have ever had is mutts as many as 4 at a time and to me they are personality plus. They love unconditionally. It is the only way to go.