Thinking of Getting a Dog? Consider a Mutt

All too often, wanna be dog owners searching for an ideal dog breed tend to overlook the most obvious choice – the mutt. Hung up on whether a Shih Tzu will be too “yappy” or a golden retriever will have too many health problems, people don’t bother to visit their local animal shelter and consider one of the many wonderful mixed breed dogs that inevitably populate these places. Mutts like many types of dogs, are generally easy to groom if using the right dog bath supplies. Genetically speaking, mutts are less predisposed to the kinds of congenital health problems that affect purebred dogs, such as hip dysplasia in Labrador retrievers and breathing problems in pugs.

Due to their genetics, mutts usually live longer, healthier lives because their mixed origins are can give them a stronger foundation than pure breeds. Additionally mutts tend not to suffer the same behavioral quirks that purebred animals do. Although the environment and training has a direct effect on these traits, mutts are generally well tempered, adjust well, and make superb family pets. Many even like to travel, or course you should use a dog car seat belt if traveling. You can find in mutts a mix of characteristics simply not possible in a purebred. A dog the size of a Yorky with the temperament of a Saint Bernard, or the size of a Great Dane with the boundless energy of a Jack Russell, for instance.

Aside from the cost factor (shelter dogs are much cheaper than buying from a breeder), taking a dog from a shelter is oftentimes saving its life. In addition, over the course of its life, a mutt is likely to need less expensive medical care. As with almost every dog, mutts make excellent companions and if treated with love and care will respond with the same for a lifetime. If you are considering purchasing a dog, before contacting a breeder, consider first going to your local animal shelter and meeting one of the many fine mixed breed dogs just waiting for a home.