Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, so you have the choice to choose which one you’d want to take as your pet. Whether it’s a purebred or a crossbreed, there are many dogs available for adoption. But if you’re curious about their differences and which one is better for you, you’ve come to the right place. 

There have been many discussions and questions about choosing between crossbreeds or purebreeds, where there are comparisons on costs, temperaments, and personality traits involved. Some of the most common questions on this topic typically revolve around whether crossbreeds are healthier compared to purebred dogs. 

Owning either a purebred dog or crossbreeding dogs has its pros and cons, which vary depending on the breed. If you’re interested to know more about crossbreeding dogs vs purebred dogs, check out the rundown below at Pretty Pets Kennel!

Crossbreeding Dogs VS Purebred: Which Is Better? 

Crossbreed and Purebred Dogs

First, we’ll discuss the differences between crossbreeding dogs and purebred dogs. Purebred dogs (also referred to as pedigree dogs) are born from parents of the same breed. Their ancestry can easily be traced and is usually bred from a small population with little or no diversity. 

On the other hand, crossbreeding dogs (also called mongrels, designer breeds, or in our country, Singapore specials) are self-explanatory – they are bred from two different dog breeds. Ancestry tracing can be difficult for some crossbreeding dogs, but most of the time, it can be traced back to the breeders and their intentions. Crossbreed dogs are produced intentionally to create a certain outcome, for example, a Covapoo. Other crossbred dogs are born from free-breeding, accidental breeding, or random breeding.

Genetics and Inbreeding

Genetics plays a big role in how dogs are bred.  Generally, when it comes to genetics, the dominant genes from their parents are inherited, and these genes make up the traits that will define them. However, it can get complicated, especially if no proper testing or breeding is involved. 

Between dominant and recessive genes, the dominant gene will most likely be expressed. Recessive genes can only be seen when paired with other recessive genes. They may not be as common as dominant genes, but once recessive genes get paired with the same type of gene, especially in a small population, that’s when it can result in genetic deformities. Although most of the traits are harmless, the development of genetic-related disorders in smaller populations can be passed around more than usual. 

This is why pairing dogs of the same breeds or Inbreeding, may be the cause of recessive traits that end up being harmful. This is especially common among purebred breeds. 

Purebred or Crossbreed Dogs: Which is Healthier?

There has been a long-standing debate to determine whether purebred dogs or crossbreed dogs are healthier. To answer this question, it varies depending on the breed, history, and intentions. More often than not, crossbreeding dogs are considered to have a lower risk of inheriting congenital diseases from the two mixed breeds. The pairing of two different breeds naturally leaves out defective traits. Despite the intentional trait selection for developing mixed breeds, crossbred dogs are not always healthy. Some crossbreed can inherit common genetic diseases like purebred dogs such as cancer and heart diseases. 

On the other hand, healthy purebred dogs developed from responsible breeders can also lower the risk of genetic diseases through selective breeding. To avoid the genetic deformities caused by inbreeding, responsible breeders make sure to match compatible pairs based on their traits, temperaments, and physical conformities. Responsible breeders can also match their dog’s genetic test results with their prospective pair to see if they can avoid the formation of diseases from both parent breeds.  

It’s also important to know that some mixed breeds are unregulated, which means that you might end up with a puppy that inherits all diseases. Not knowing the health background of both parents of a mixed breed can be risky. So, make sure to adopt from trusted breeders, whether they’re pure or mixed breeds, who are able to tell you about their temperament, adaptability, intelligence, and health issues. Adopting a mixed breed doesn’t guarantee that it is healthier than a purebred dog.

Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, but at the end of the day, it’s important to do your own research. You can learn more about the traits, personalities, behaviours, and temperament of your chosen breed, and in doing so, you’ll have an idea of what to expect when your puppy grows up. Be thorough in finding out more about  the ancestry of your chosen breed and if the source of breeding is regulated or not. 

The Pros & Cons

Getting a purebred dog or crossbred dog has its own pros and cons. You can check the general pros and cons for both below. 

PUREBREED DOGS

PROS:

• Temperament, personality, physical traits, and characteristics can be predicted to a certain extent
• The breed is regulated, and the ancestry has been registered, so its breeding can be traced easily
• Can be entered into competitions or shows

CONS:

• Some are more prone to inherited diseases
• Can be more expensive

CROSSBREED DOGS

PROS:

• Most of them are generally healthier, due to lower risk of hereditary diseases
• Some are believed to live longer compared to purebred dogs
• Usually are more affordable

CONS:

• Can be difficult to determine the ancestry and is less regulated
• Physical traits, characteristics, and hereditary diseases can be unpredictable

Conclusion

Choosing a purebred or a crossbreed dog, depends entirely on the owner’s preferences and where you will be adopting your pet. There are many things to consider, so pet owners are encouraged to do their own research and to make sure to only adopt from responsible breeders. Purebred dogs and crossbreed dogs both have their own pros and cons, but it is believed that mixed breeds are healthier since they tend to not inherit harmful recessive traits (that lead to diseases). However, purebred can avoid hereditary diseases through selective breeding. Either way, depending on which one you choose, you get to go home with a new family member to cherish and who will love you.

If you’re interested in adopting a crossbreed or a purebred of your own, Pretty Pets Kennel carries a variety of breeds that are ready for adoption. We put importance in proper and responsible breeding, and prioritise dogs’ health. Send us a message so we can find the perfect pup just for you!