You can choose either a specific breed otherwise known as pure bred as we discussed in the previous chapter or choose one that is if a mixed breed or a mutt.
For people involved with professional breeding, there is a huge difference in purebreds and so-called “mutts.” “Mutts” are of mixed breed. Some are actually purebred but have no documentation proving that they are purebred. If you are looking for a pet and have no interest in entering into competition with your dog, this might be a viable option for you.
Choosing a dog depends on many things. The size of one’s home, how much exercise is needed, does it shed often or if you wants a gentle or playful companion.
Deciding to own one whether it is large or small involves a lot of responsibility. It is not just about feeding it but includes other chores such as grooming, watching its health and diet, cleaning up after it and most importantly, giving it some tender loving care. There are many places you can get a dog such as a kennel or the pet store but if you want to get a pure bred animal, you must seek a reputable breeder to get the best results.
As we discussed in the previous chapter, breeding done in purebred dogs is done carefully. The pair is tested for every possible disease which includes having all the information regarding the pair’s ancestors and health records on file. Should there be no problem in the history of the pair, then the breeding can begin. If in testing, the pair is not compatible due to diseases that are common in a specific breed, another dog will be selected to match with the other dog.
Since the demand for the breeder’s pure bred dogs are well sought after due to the selective nature of the breeding practices, the newborn pups will still have to be raised with the breeder and will only be released when a number of pre-screened homes have been found.
This is done for the welfare of the select few of owners and to control population growth. If you opt for a purebred as we discussed previously and do meet the criteria that a responsible breeder will request, you stand a good chance of getting the dog you want. The restriction may seem severe but responsible breeds care a great deal about how “their” offspring will be raised.
Mixed breeds on the other hand or mutts as people call them could have been bred out of experimentation to produce a breed which could be better and stronger than the two breeds. Most likely, these were the results of accidents. This is the reason why dogs of mixed breeds just like pure breeds must be neutered since millions of dogs every year that are not wanted by people die in animal shelters.
Health wise, pure bred dogs that come from a line of strong parents won’t have problems. This is because breeders screen the pair before the process happens.
Unfortunately, there are instances where certain breeders are more concerned about financial gain rather than the welfare of the animal. This is especially true of those breeders who do not practice the strict guidelines of proper breeding thereby producing inferior dogs.
Mixed bred dogs on the other hand, will fall somewhere in the middle since proper screening was poorly done or never carried out. Certain dogs carry varied deficiencies common to the breed and mixing the two will just pass on to the mixed breed.
Some people prefer pure bred dogs than mixed bred ones. The primary reason is that it is easier to sell and carries a certain prestige with it. Mixed bred dogs are seen as inferior and since no one is interested, most of these are rounded up and die in an animal shelter.
Pure bred dogs are seen as a higher class which is why they are always featured at dog shows. Mixed dogs are not allowed to join. The reasons given have not been that clear which is why mixed breed owners still contest the rule.
