Dog Breeding: Purebred Vs. Mixed Breed

Breeding dogs takes considerable responsibility. Reputable and responsible breeding begins with an honest evaluation of both parents, and you must have the objectivity to resist kennel-blindness---the belief that your dog is suitable for breeding because of how great he is. While breeding dogs of different breeds is generally frowned upon, some specific mixes are popular and are frequently bred.

  1. Function

    • For responsible breeding, both parents should be show quality.

      The function of responsible breeding is bettering the breed. In the case of mixed breeds and purebreds, breeding should only produce quality puppies that are healthy and temperamentally sound. Both parents should be show quality with no abnormalities (not meeting breed standards), diseases or bad behavioral traits (aggression, unsound fears or the inability to be trained).

    Time Frame

    • Breeding is not a simple or a quick task. There is much to prepare for before breeding even takes place. Before breeding, the bitch will need a series of tests in a prebreeding check-up. These will include parasite testing, genetic disease testing and making sure her heat cycles are normal, among other tests. She must also be up-to-date on all vaccinations.

      A breeder must also find the most suitable stud. Evaluate his health records and papers. Check him against breed standards and ensure he meets them all. The dogs also must complement each other and get along for successful mating.

      After breeding, the dam will require several check-ups. Gestation takes approximately 63 days, and you must care for the puppies for at least eight weeks, though many responsible breeders keep the puppies even longer.

    Differences Between Mixed and Pure Breeds

    • Designer dogs---also known as crossbreeds or hybrids---are mixes of two breeds (either multi- or single-generation). Both mixed and purebred dogs are popular among pet owners. They sell for similar amounts and are treated, bred and raised in the same manner. A mixed breed often has an advantage, however, as the desirable traits of the two breeds can be capitalized upon, while many health problems and undesirable traits of a single breed are significantly reduced.

    Considerations

    • Approximately 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters each year.

      Many people frown upon mixed breeds, primarily because they are "mutts" and closely resemble so many of the dogs found in shelters. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters every year---one every eight seconds---in the United States alone. Breeding is a serious undertaking because of the massive pet overpopulation. Even purebred dogs end up in shelters and as rescues, as well as mutts, designer dogs, hybrids and crossbreeds.

    Creating the Mix

    • Hybrids are not always a mix of two pure breeds. For example, a puggle (a pug and beagle mix) can be bred in one of four ways: by mating a pug and a beagle; a pug and a puggle; a beagle and puggle; or two puggles. The mixtures may produce different appearances, coats, traits and other features; however, they are still all considered Puggles. The first-generation mix (two purebreds of different breeds) may also produce different appearances, depending on which breed was male and which was female.