So, is a mutt (mixed breed dog) really healthier then a purebred?
It is commonly believed that mixed breeds and cross breeds are generally less prone to hereditary illness then purebreds. This belief is used often to promote mixes as superior in health and temperament to purebreds.
Personally, I am simply pro-dog, be the pooch mixed or 'pure' and I actually have one of each!
What is a 'Breed'?
To make a very complex question as simple as possible...a breed is defined as "a line of descendants perpetuating particular hereditary qualities" (Oxford English Dictionary). Clearly, this leaves a great deal of room for interpretation. I would venture that a 'breed' can be
described as a dog having been bred from a limited gene pool for a number of generations, having been selected for appearance and temperament. To fix certain characteristics, breeds must be developed over at the very least, seven generations. 'Fixing' traits means that the
offspring of a purebred will look and predictably act like his parents, great grandparents, great great grandparents and so on. Breed development has been accomplished at the hands of humans, as dogs are opportunistic creatures and on their own, would seek to perpetuate based on natural selection, not who looked most like them!
Genetic Concerns in Purebred Dogs
Since the lineage of breeds are genetically closed, it is easy to track health susceptibilities within a given breed. Certain breeds are prone to certain disorders. For instance, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is likely to develop Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) over the course of a lifetime. Because the gene pool is closed, breeding out these health disorders poses a problem. All the members of the breed have a similar lineage, predisposing them to a disorder,
so continuing to mate these dogs to one another only seems to heighten the prevalence of disease within a breed. Responsible purebred breeders use genetic testing and regulations for breeding in order to establish criteria to result in healthier offspring. A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should not be bred until a certain age and only after proving him or herself to be 'heart clear.' By breeding the healthiest specimens, ideally the offspring will carry those same healthy traits and over the course of generations, we can see improvement. All this said, irresponsible breeders are plentiful and these unscrupulous individuals are continuing to exacerbate the prevalence of genetic illness. If you choose to acquire a purebred, make sure your breeder is up on all the hereditary illnesses in her breed and takes every precaution to ensure the healthiest offspring.
Health Concerns in Mutts
So, is a mutt healthier?
By introducing new genetics into a closed gene pool, it would make sense that there would be a dilution of hereditary disease. However, this also introduces the newbie's own hereditary vulnerabilities to the offspring. Basically, mutts seem healthier because we cannot track their hereditary traits with as much simplicity as exists in purebred dogs. That said, a mixed breed dog carries its own hereditary baggage and you just don't know what you will get!
I would say a healthy mutt is as healthy as the most responsibly bred purebred and an unhealthy mutt will require the same veterinary care as a purebred exhibiting hereditary illness. In humans, we see people wearing glasses every day. We know people who suffer from allergies and asthma. These are hereditary conditions! Should we 'breed' ourselves to be as optimally healthy as possible?? I should think not!!
Every person and every dog have genetics that will play a large part in determining the individuals health and simply generalizing that mutts are healthier then purebreds isn't true. Some people feel there is something 'heroic' about having a mixed breed. It symbolizes a lack of pretension, a mix is likely a rescue, so the guardian did a good deed in saving a life. Well, many purebreds need rescuing and are in shelters, too!
In Conclusion...
If you think a mixed breed guarantees you a dog less likely to have illness, think again. The only guarantee is that your dog will love you, be a loyal friend and will likely enjoy playtime, walks and lots of treats.
From the tiniest Chihuahua to the largest Mastiff, dogs have the largest physical variation in any single species. Purebreds are great because there is a kind of 'what you see is what you get' predictability. Mixed breeds are great because they are one of a kind and absolutely adorable.
If health is the determining factor for choosing that mixed breed over the Beagle who also needs a home, think twice. Choose the dog who has the best temperament for you, the exercise requirements most in line with your lifestyle, mixed or purebred.
No matter what kind of dog you invite into your home, they all require responsible guardians who can provide food, care and exercise in accordance with a dog's individual needs!
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