Mutts are magnificent, there’s no question! Dog owners love mutts for their big hearts, eagerness to please, and unrelenting loyalty. There are also more practical reasons that mutts get so much adoration.
Mutts Are Healthier Than Purebreds
Mutts are inherently healthier than purebred dogs. Purebred dogs often suffer from hereditary diseases as the result of inbreeding. The sad truth is that many (perhaps even the majority) of breeders don’t bother to test and screen their dogs for genetic diseases. Purebred dogs, while considered perfect specimens of their breed standards, can be riddled with problems from inbreeding.
In contrast, mutts draw from a much more diverse gene pool, resulting in healthier dogs with longer lifespans, and sometimes, better dispositions too.
Having a diverse gene pool means that mutts are often physically and mentally better off than purebreds. Of course mixed breed dogs can still fall victim to disease and illness – even a diverse gene pool won’t help much if a dog’s parents were sick. Still mutts have better chances that most.
Mutts Make Better Family Dogs
Many consider mutts better suited to family life. Why do mutts make better family dogs? Since mutts have more mixed breed ancestry, their breed-centric compulsions (like herding or tracking) are more muted, making them easier to handle and often easier to train.
In addition, since 75% of shelter dogs have a mixed breed background, choosing a mutt often means giving a loving home to dogs who need them most. These dogs are often the ones who are most appreciate to their new owners and intensely loyal to their rescuers.
Knowing and Loving Your Mixed Breed Dog
When you have a mutt, you may discover a number of different breed traits present in your canine, from physical attributes to behavioral aspects. While some of these traits are more obvious than others, getting a dog breed identifier test can help reveal previously unidentified breed traits.
Often certain dog behaviors and physical manifestations are only obvious in retrospect. Upon discovering your dog is part terrier his wiry coat is more apparent. After learning your dog is part Australian Shepherd, you understand why he runs circles around birds (or tries to at least).
Owners love their mutts for who they are, not their breed ancestry. Still, if ‘to know is to love,’ than you may find that a more comprehensive understanding of your mutt’s ancestry can help strengthen your bond and love of your mixed breed mutt even more.
Long Live the Mutt
There are more mutts in the USA than any other kind of dog – most already know how awesome these mixed breed dogs are. Spread the world and stop people from buying puppy mill pets. While purebred obsession is damaging to dogs, if you know someone who must have a purebred, encourage them to at least find a breeder who promise genetic screening to ensure the dog’s health and wellbeing.