8 Reasons To Adopt A Mixed-Breed Dogs

Designer dogs produced by crossing two purebred dogs of different breeds are super trendy and very much in demand. For that reason, a designer mixed-breed pup can cost you the same to buy as a purebred or more. 

Common or garden mixed-breed mutts are also gaining in popularity, especially with dog-lovers who would love to own a dog but can’t afford to spend upward of $1,500 on one!

So, what’s so good about a mixed-breed dog? Read this guide to learn eight reasons you should adopt and love a mixed-breed dog.

8 Reasons To Adopt A Mixed-Breed Dog

Adopting a mixed-breed dog has many benefits. Here are eight reasons why you should consider adopting a mixed-breed dog:

1. Mixed-Breed Dogs Are Healthier

Mixed-breed dogs are generally healthier and longer-lived than purebreds, thanks to a phenomenon known as “hybrid vigor.”

How so?

So, purebred dogs of all breeds tend to be highly inbred. That means that any conformational defects or congenital health problems are passed down from generation to generation. Consequently, you eventually end up with a dog, almost certainly carrying hereditary health problems.

Purebred dogs are often affected by the following health problems:

● Hip and elbow dysplasia

● Cardiac conditions

● Bloat

● Skin allergies

● Epilepsy

● Addison’s Disease (Hypoadrenocorticism)

● Eye problems

However, when two dogs of different breeds are crossbred, it’s possible to breed many of those congenital conditions, leaving you with a healthier, stronger puppy. Of course, the more different dog breeds involved in the mix, the healthier the puppies should be.

2. You’re Saving a Life

Sadly, many mixed-breed mutts finish up in shelters. Most rescues and shelters operate a no-kill policy, so the pup will not be euthanized unless it’s dangerous, has severe health conditions, or is too old to be considered for adoption.

In all cases, these dogs are usually put to sleep because the shelter can’t afford to keep them for the long term. That means you could save a life by taking home a dog with medical conditions or a senior citizen pup.

3. You Fund the Shelter

When you take a dog from a shelter, you don’t actually buy the dog. Instead, you donate to the facility. You can also buy some of your new pet’s stuff, including food, clothing, quality dog crates, collars, leashes, etc., from the shelter. 

All the money the rescue center receives goes toward its running costs, helping to save more canine lives.

4. You Give Another Dog A Chance

When someone adopts a dog from a rescue center, space is freed up for another unwanted dog.

Many strays are turned away from rescues simply because there’s no room. If you adopt a dog, you’re effectively giving another dog a chance to find his forever home. That means you’re actually saving two precious doggy lives!

5. Mixed-Breed Dogs Are Unique

Next time you’re at the park or the beach, check out the dogs there. 

All those purebreds of the same breed look alike, right? The same goes for designer Doodles to some extent.

Now, look at the mutts! No two dogs are the same! So, if you choose a mixed-breed dog, you can be certain you’ll never come across another pup that looks like yours.

6. Crossbreeds Can Be Allergy-Friendly

Many people are allergic to pets or would rather not spend their time vacuuming up shed dog hair. As it happens, many mixed-breed dogs are very light shedders, making them the ideal choice of pet if you fall into either of those categories.

But did you know that hairless dog breeds can trigger pet allergies?

Why is that?

Well, pet dander triggers allergies, not the hair itself. Dander is made up of dried saliva and dead skin flakes. It’s a lightweight substance that floats in the air whenever your dog moves around, jumps onto the furniture, or you stroke him. The allergy sufferer inhales the dander, and symptoms start.

Dander can also be caught up in shed pet hair. So, the more the dog sheds, the more likely it is to trigger a reaction in an allergy sufferer. Dogs with curly coats tend not to shed as much as those with straight coats. Instead, any loose hair is caught up in the curls and must be brushed out.

For that reason, many Doodle crossbreeds are crossbred multiple times to maximize the chances of the puppies being born with curly coats.

A very curly coat reflects the Poodle parent’s genetics, meaning that the coat will naturally be light shedding, too. So, allergy sufferers and those with an aversion to vacuuming tend to choose a curly-coated canine.

7. Some Mixed-Breed Dogs Are Cheaper Than Purebreds

With the exception of designer breeds, mixed-breed mutts are usually much cheaper to buy than purebred dogs. Despite their greatly reduced-price tag, a mixed-bred pup will be just as loving and provide his human family with as much fun and companionship as a purebred.

So, if you prefer the idea of donating a few hundred dollars to your local shelter to shelling out over $2,000 for a Doodle, a mixed-breed mutt is the way to go! 

8. Put Puppy Mills Out of Business

One major downside of the massive increase in the popularity of dog ownership is the huge upsurge in puppy farms and backyard breeding operations.

Puppy mills are basically dog breeding operations that are run by unscrupulous breeders looking to catch the current wave of breed popularity to make money. These unlicensed puppy factories use breeding dogs that are usually not health-screened to produce as many puppies as possible, as quickly as possible.

That means the puppies are often born with hereditary health problems. Whereas reputable breeders usually offer to take the puppy back under such circumstances, backyard operations certainly won’t. Once you’ve handed over your cash, that’s it.

So, by adopting an unwanted mixed-breed dog from a rescue or shelter, you’re helping to put puppy farms out of business for good.

Final Thoughts

If you want to bring a dog into your family, a mixed-breed pup offers many advantages.

Right off the bat, your mixed-breed mutt will probably live a longer, healthier life than a purebred dog. Mixed breeds are also cheaper to buy than pedigree pups and fancy designer dog breeds.

Suppose you take a dog from a rescue center. In that case, you’re freeing up space and giving another unwanted pooch the chance of finding a forever home.

But most importantly, you’re almost certainly saving a life by adopting a mixed-breed mutt.

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