A purebred dog has both parents of the same pure breed – for example, mum and dad are both Beagles.
In most cases: not really. Unless you want a dog specifically bred for hunting, working, rescue capabilities, or for showing, breed is purely an aesthetic quality. This is because, even with stereotypical breed traits, not all dogs behave as their breed would suggest – and nobody knows which personality traits will be passed down from parents and other ancestors, even when the breed is pure.
Mixed breed dogs are less likely to suffer from issues like hip and shoulder dysplasia, eye disease, chronic ear infections, and certain cancers. There are far fewer inherited diseases and congenital issues.
There is nothing wrong with preferring a purebred or crossbred dog. But when you give a home to a mixed breed dog, you are choosing to save and give love to a dog that many others don’t want purely due to his lack of “pedigree”. These dogs are a joy, they give and accept love, they are cute and cuddly, and they are generally much easier to care for than a purebred dog, with generally moderate temperaments, moderate size, moderate walking and dog grooming requirements, and better general health. They are also much more affordable to purchase or adopt. It’s true that the little puppy may surprise you when he grows up to be bigger or smaller than you expect – but that’s part of the fun! At the end of the day, the dog you end up with depends most on how you raise him from puppyhood – with love, attention, affection, and proper training.
A crossbred dog has parents of two pure breeds – for example, mum is a Greyhound and dad is a Boxer.
If you don’t have space or inclination for a large dog, that last point is very important – you need to know how big your mutt will grow. If you’re having to make a decision based on a puppy, and no other clues, there are a couple of hints as to what lies in store, size-wise:
The word “Mongrel” has assumed negative connotations (as does the word “bitch”), making it a slightly awkward term. So let’s call them Mutts. What the term embodies is a diverse group of dogs of mixed and essentially unknown parentage. If you find a good natured one, he will be every bit as loyal, clever and priceless as the most expensive pedigree.
3 pros and cons of owning a Mongrel:
| Pros! | Cons! |
| Unique look: Mongrels can have a very individual and cute appearance based on the mix of different traits from the various breeds included in their makeup. | Less predictable behavior: Without knowing the mix of breeds in a mutt, it can be more challenging to anticipate their temperament and behavior. This can be especially troublesome for families with children. |
| Fewer health issues: Mongrels are often less prone to some health concerns since there isn’t as much inbreeding as you find with purebreds. | Unknown size: If you purchase a mongrel puppy, you may not be able to predict their full-grown size and could end up with a larger dog than you’re ready for. |
| Less expensive: Mongrels cost less to adopt than purchasing a purebred from a groomer. | Unknown appearance: You may also not be able to predict the appearance of an adult mongrel based on their appearance as a puppy. |
Since Mongrels feature a mix of different breeds, their size and weight can vary greatly. Mongrels that are a mix of two larger breed dogs, will likely be larger, and mongrels that are mixed from smaller breed dogs will likely be smaller in size. However, many Mongrels include a large mix of dog breeds and their size can vary a lot.
See all of our entertaining and insightful animal articles.
See all of our entertaining and insightful animal articles.
You can use the size of the feet on a Mongrel puppy to try to predict their full-grown size. Puppies with feet that look overly large for their body will end up being larger, whereas puppies that look more proportional in relation to their body will likely end up being a smaller or medium-sized dog. In general, dogs are about two-thirds of their full-grown size by the time they are four months old, so this can also help you predict the final weight a Mongrel will reach.
| Height (Male): | 6 inches to 32 inches |
| Height (Female): | 6 inches to 32 inches |
| Weight (Male): | 5 pounds to 170 pounds |
| Weight (Female): | 5 pounds to 140 pounds |
Since the genetic makeup of a Mongrel is unknown, the breed-specific health issues they may suffer from are also a mystery. There are, however, a few health concerns that are common among all breeds that you should be aware of before you adopt a mutt.
5 Reasons Why You Should Adopt A Mongrel
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