We celebrate National Mutt Day on both July 31st and December 2nd for good reason -- it’s twice the love. Mutts are awesome and there are plenty of reasons to adopt a mixed breed dog. Because why settle on one breed when you can have a whole bunch rolled into one package? Read on to learn the advantages of having a mixed breed dog and why we love our non-purebred buddies.
- Fewer Health Problems
- They're Less Likely To Be Stolen
- They’re Unique From the Inside Out
- You Get the Best of Both Worlds
- Adopt Don’t Shop
- Finding an Ethical Breeder is Hard Work
Fewer Health Problems. Purebred dogs are often mated with their own kind, which means there is little room for genetic diversity in their lineage. This is a major problem amongst purebreds, which can lead to health issues down the line. Combining breeds helps minimize the chance of experiencing hereditary conditions passed down from their parents, so if you own a mixed breed, they'll probably be healthier for longer.
They're Less Likely To Be Stolen. It might come as a surprise to some, but stealing purebred dogs is a thing and has become more common in recent years. Although you think your mixed breed is worth its weight in gold, the fact of the matter is your dog probably won't fetch a high price for criminals looking to steal and sell them for profit. It's a shame that this type of crime even exists, but it does happen. And purebreds are much more likely to fall victim to dognappers than mixed breeds.
They’re Unique From the Inside Out. One of the best parts of owning a mixed breed is that they rarely look like another dog. They are truly one in a million and incredibly unique. When you mention a purebred, say a German Shepherd or Beagle, you have a clear idea of what that dog may look like. But if I list off a laundry list of breeds that make up a special pup, you’d probably need a photo for reference. Even dogs within the same litter can look different.
You Get the Best of Both Worlds. Each dog is unique to its breed. They look a certain way, act a certain way, and typically have the same health problems. With mutts, you get an awesome combination of whatever they’re made of. They may possess the loyalty of a Golden Retriever with the intelligence of a Border Collie, or the devotion of a Pitbull with the spunky side of a Frenchie. Regardless of what kind of mixed-breed you end up with, you'll have a one-of-a-kind dog and built-in BFF for years to come.
Adopt Don’t Shop. There are plenty of reasons why you should adopt a dog rather than purchase from a breeder. It can be quite expensive to buy from a dog breeder. Why fork out loads of cash when you can cruise over to your local shelter and see what rescue pups are in need of a loving home? Adopting from a shelter is the best way to save an animal in need, and adoption fees are affordable. You might not be getting that purebred puppy you always dreamed of but your new pet will love you just as much!
Finding an Ethical Breeder is Hard Work. If you're looking for an ethical breeder, you'll have to do your research. You'll need to check out reviews, gather info on their background, verify the papers, schedule several meetups, and the list goes on. It's a pain. Choosing to go to a shelter or rescue will allow you to pick from all kinds of pups and skip the research. You can quite literally let your interaction with the pup be your guide. Did you bond at the first meet? Did they go right up to you? Were they a little shy but once they felt safe it was meant to be? These are the queues that you get to you to choose your forever friend.
