Only a mutt
- Thread starter Lilavati
- Start date
I get that people are happy with their mutts (I have owned some fab mutts) but why must there be a divide? Why can't people just aim to to be the best owners, have the best dogs (for them) and not need to worry about it. (I do dislike rampant championing if mutts, as I have met people who think intentional bred dogs are all bad and that one should never support breeders cause mutts are better)
All dogs are awesome to the person who loves them.
All dogs are awesome to the person who loves them.
I have both mutts and purebreds and have to say, there's a uniqueness about mutts that appeals to me. The knowing that there will never be another dog quite like this one - especially if you get a real heinz 57. Of course I would never deliberately breed a mutt or support such a breeding, but as long as there are mutts needing homes, I will happily include one in mine - along with my *giggle* regal danes, and one day a rhodesian too 
Not being divisive, just pointing out what the appeal is.
Not being divisive, just pointing out what the appeal is.
Atleast here, it is not the people that own the mutts that are the issues. It is the people that own the purebreds who look down on your dog cause they are a mixed breed.
But I agree, it is silly.
I cannot count the amount of times people have told me that my dog is not worth as much as their (insert breed here) is. I just look them in the eyes and ask what titles their dog has, which is usually met with a "none". Then I let them know that I guess their dog is worth the same as my mutt, then
ETA: I am not against purebreds, I will eventually have purebreds along with mutts And see, the funny thing is, I have NEVER heard somebody say that mutts are better than purebreds. And MOST purebred owners do not say that their dogs are better than mutts... not the good owners you want to socialize with, anyways.
But I agree, it is silly.
I cannot count the amount of times people have told me that my dog is not worth as much as their (insert breed here) is. I just look them in the eyes and ask what titles their dog has, which is usually met with a "none". Then I let them know that I guess their dog is worth the same as my mutt, then
ETA: I am not against purebreds, I will eventually have purebreds along with mutts
And see, the funny thing is, I have NEVER heard somebody say that mutts are better than purebreds. And MOST purebred owners do not say that their dogs are better than mutts... not the good owners you want to socialize with, anyways.
I don't know what the big deal is either way...mutts or purebreds. To me, they're all those phenomenal creatures, unlike any wild or other domestic animal...absolutely unique as a species. I don't think on it that hard about whether they're a mutt or a purebred. They're the incredible, wonderful dog. That's it.
That is not to say I don't appreciate purebred dogs if you're looking for breaking down some more specific traits. Or that I don't appreciate a mutt if you're not that particular or can single out some of their ancestory. I like both mutts and purebreds but often choose a purebred because I do have certain individual traits I can depend on somewhat with what I choose. But I've had both and may again.
That is not to say I don't appreciate purebred dogs if you're looking for breaking down some more specific traits. Or that I don't appreciate a mutt if you're not that particular or can single out some of their ancestory. I like both mutts and purebreds but often choose a purebred because I do have certain individual traits I can depend on somewhat with what I choose. But I've had both and may again.
The way I see it, a dog is a dog is a dog. This probably comes from always having mutts and never owning a "registered" purebred (Blackie may have been pure, but he was a stray and had no papers, so nothing could be "proven"). I don't care if it is a Lab, a Boxer, or a Heinz 57 - all dogs act differently. Sure, if you get a Golden Retriever you can be fairly certain the dog is going to chew on things, have long golden hair, shed like a beast, and be sweet and trainable. But the only thing different from that dog and a chewy, sheddy, long haired, golden, sweet, trainable mutt is that a.) the Golden is purebred and b.) has everything that goes along with purebred "status" - predictability of phenotype, registration, ability to participate in conformation shows, what have you.
If I wind up with a dog that is right for ME and has the personality traits I want, I don't care what his pedigree is. A dog is a dog. I don't care that your dog is purebred (or mixed) - I do care that it is a good, sound dog. If I'm looking for a puppy and want/need specific traits, a purebred from a reputable breeder is the best way to go. But if you don't have such rigorous demands and/or wouldn't mind an older puppy/dog, mutts are just as good of way to go. They're all dogs to me.
See, I wish people would actually understand what they mean when they say "hybrid vigor". If you take one unsound dog and breed it with another unsound dog of a different breed, you won't magically get sound puppies, "hybrid" or not. A Golden with bad hips bred to a Poodle with bad hips doesn't create puppies without hip problems. Breed doesn't matter; health, structure, and temperament do.
^(Sorry...pet peeve of mine. I know everyone on here knows what I mean.)
This is a good article on the matter (the Crossbreed and Mixed breeds articles, too): The Truth About Purebred Dogs
If I wind up with a dog that is right for ME and has the personality traits I want, I don't care what his pedigree is. A dog is a dog. I don't care that your dog is purebred (or mixed) - I do care that it is a good, sound dog. If I'm looking for a puppy and want/need specific traits, a purebred from a reputable breeder is the best way to go. But if you don't have such rigorous demands and/or wouldn't mind an older puppy/dog, mutts are just as good of way to go. They're all dogs to me.
See, I wish people would actually understand what they mean when they say "hybrid vigor". If you take one unsound dog and breed it with another unsound dog of a different breed, you won't magically get sound puppies, "hybrid" or not. A Golden with bad hips bred to a Poodle with bad hips doesn't create puppies without hip problems. Breed doesn't matter; health, structure, and temperament do.
^(Sorry...pet peeve of mine. I know everyone on here knows what I mean.
)This is a good article on the matter (the Crossbreed and Mixed breeds articles, too): The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Thus far, I've taken a mixed breed to eight AKC obedience and/or rally trials, and out of the countless exhibitors we've encountered, I've received a grand total of one dirty look from one person. Last year, I took Venus (borzoi) to a mixed breed workshop that was all people who do ob, rally, and/or agility with their dogs, and she was perfectly welcome there.
I've encountered far more nastiness in places like Petsmart where the shoppers don't like Argus and McKeever because they aren't purebred or they don't like Venus because she isn't a rescue and doesn't have a sob story.
It seems that people who really work with their dogs are more interested in what a dog can do than what it's background is, and people who do get snotty about whether a dog is a mutt or purebred or rescue or dog from a breeder have dogs that can't do much.
I've encountered far more nastiness in places like Petsmart where the shoppers don't like Argus and McKeever because they aren't purebred or they don't like Venus because she isn't a rescue and doesn't have a sob story.
It seems that people who really work with their dogs are more interested in what a dog can do than what it's background is, and people who do get snotty about whether a dog is a mutt or purebred or rescue or dog from a breeder have dogs that can't do much.
See, I wish people would actually understand what they mean when they say "hybrid vigor". If you take one unsound dog and breed it with another unsound dog of a different breed, you won't magically get sound puppies, "hybrid" or not. A Golden with bad hips bred to a Poodle with bad hips doesn't create puppies without hip problems. Breed doesn't matter; health, structure, and temperament do.
^(Sorry...pet peeve of mine. I know everyone on here knows what I mean.)
This is a good article on the matter (the Crossbreed and Mixed breeds articles, too): The Truth About Purebred Dogs
^(Sorry...pet peeve of mine. I know everyone on here knows what I mean.
)This is a good article on the matter (the Crossbreed and Mixed breeds articles, too): The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Yeah, things are getting better for mutts I agree. Bates was at a dog show a while back and for the most part we got a great reception. One couple was kind of snotty, but I have a feeling they would have been snotty if he had been a purebred they didn't like too.
I know personally I tend to be more sensitive about mutts because I have had a lot more rude comments about our mutts than our purebreds, but like I said, that's getting better.
I know personally I tend to be more sensitive about mutts because I have had a lot more rude comments about our mutts than our purebreds, but like I said, that's getting better.
See, I wish people would actually understand what they mean when they say "hybrid vigor". If you take one unsound dog and breed it with another unsound dog of a different breed, you won't magically get sound puppies, "hybrid" or not. A Golden with bad hips bred to a Poodle with bad hips doesn't create puppies without hip problems. Breed doesn't matter; health, structure, and temperament do.
^(Sorry...pet peeve of mine. I know everyone on here knows what I mean.)
^(Sorry...pet peeve of mine. I know everyone on here knows what I mean.
)
Now to step off my soap box.
Hybrid vigour does exist. But crossing to breeds is not a hybrid. So unless you are crossing dogs and coyotes it is kind of a myth when it comes to breeding dogs. (if one wants to be technical)
And increasing heterozygosity is not always a good thing. I can be, or it can backfire. A small population base is not always a bad thing. There is a balance to these things, humans like to meddle For example there was a type of puma (cougar) that people felt were too inbred. (they were having problems and it was decided that it was due to the isolated pop lacking heterozygosity. The brought in individuals of the same species but different sub pop. The kittens died in large numbers. Seems they reduced fitness by decreasing homozygosity.
And increasing heterozygosity is not always a good thing. I can be, or it can backfire. A small population base is not always a bad thing. There is a balance to these things, humans like to meddle
For example there was a type of puma (cougar) that people felt were too inbred. (they were having problems and it was decided that it was due to the isolated pop lacking heterozygosity. The brought in individuals of the same species but different sub pop. The kittens died in large numbers. Seems they reduced fitness by decreasing homozygosity.
Well to be honest the akc dog set looked down upon mutts and crossbreeds for a long time. When doodles and their sort were fetching high prices (and continue to do so) the pedigree crowd said "who'd pay that for just a mutt?" Well, truth be told, lots of people, who despite the claims knew what they were getting. I saw the anger at club meetings over the decision to include "mutt" events at shows including such charming lines as "let them form their own clubs", "who are these shows for?", and "at least they have to be neutered." Charming....
Anyway, whatever dog captures your intrigue enjoy it. The dog after all doesn't give a flying fart what breed he is or isn't, just that his owner likes him, the food dish is full in the morning, and that his game of choice is played for as long as he can play it.
Anyway, whatever dog captures your intrigue enjoy it. The dog after all doesn't give a flying fart what breed he is or isn't, just that his owner likes him, the food dish is full in the morning, and that his game of choice is played for as long as he can play it.