CHOOSING THE RIGHT DOG FOR YOU – Purebred, Designer, or Mixed Breed?

The Election is over, but there is apparently a most important decision to be made by the new First Family – who is going to replace Barney the Scottish Terrier as First Dog?  While this issue may not rank up there with economic crises or world affairs, it has become a story regularly featured on the news.  Choosing the right dog is not only a decision faced by the newest White House occupants, it’s one that you may encounter as well. So what will it be?

There are many issues to consider when you decide to add a fuzzy canine face to your family.  The key to a successful placement will be homework on your part and avoiding a rash decision based on seeing a cute puppy in a store window, the latest “breed movie” released by Hollywood, or seeing your idol on TV  toting her four-legged fashion accessory.  What should you take into consideration?  To begin, take a look at whether you want a purebred, designer breed, or mixed breed.  There are advantages and disadvantages to each.

Purebreds were created to serve a specific purpose – retrievers to collect game for hunters, border collies to herd.  That should be a clue to future owners that these dogs will need lots of exercise and room to run.  If you are an apartment dweller, it might be better to consider a smaller dog or, at least, one with a quiet, calm reputation (greyhounds are often referred to as 40 mile an hour couch potatoes).  Check the AKC website ( www.akc.org ) or a breed specific website to search for characteristics common to the dog you are considering.  Even better, go to a dog show and speak with owners of the breed you are considering.  They will usually be very honest, letting you know of all the good and bad points of their chosen breed of dog.  Advantages to buying a purebred include knowing the personalities and health of the parents, general characteristics like size and color, and the ability to show the dog in AKC events if desired.  Disadvantages can be expecting the dog to fit a mold (“all labs are good with kids”), price, and genetic health problems like hip dysplasia.

One of the dogs selected by the public for the President Elect’s family is a goldendoodle.  This is one example of a recent trend in dog breeding in which two different breeds of purebred dogs are combined to make a cross.  The goldendoodle, for example, is a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle.  The list of cross breeds is extensive: puggle (pug/beagle), border jack (border collie/jack Russell), cockapoo (cocker spaniel/poodle), and many more.  These dogs are usually bred for specific reasons.  The labradoodle (Labrador/poodle) is marketed as an “allergy free” for those allergic to dogs, the border jack was bred for competitors interested in fast, driven dogs for sports such as flyball, and cockapoos were bred as a loving family dog with a low-shedding coat. Two advantages of designer dogs are first generation crosses tend to avoid the health problems that may plague one breed and you still have the advantage of parental histories.  There is even a registry for crosses – the American Canine Hybrid Club (http://www.achclub.com/). There are disadvantages as well.  No one can guarantee which traits will be the most prominent – the dog may be larger or smaller than expected or harmful breed traits such as extremely short noses may be exaggerated.  Breed specific health problems may reappear in second generation crosses, yet it may be this generation or later that actually produces the trait being sought such as the hypoallergenic qualities.  Designer dogs often come with hefty price tags – sometimes more than the parents cost.  Sadly, many puppy mills are cashing in on the designer craze, creating pricey dogs that share the same problems as any other puppy mill puppies:  poor health, poor behavior.

Of course, the All American Mixed Breed (aka Mutt) is certainly worth your consideration.  Mix breeds come in every style, shape, size, and color imaginable and are readily available.   While it’s fun to try to guess which breeds make up the dog, it is usually just that – a guess.  There are DNA breed tests available, but the jury is out as far as accuracy is concerned.  The mixed breeds even have a registry (AMBOR - http://www.ambor.us/ ) which records titles for dogs participating in sports such as obedience, agility and flyball.  The advantages of a mixed breed are easy availability, low cost, unique looks and personalities.  The disadvantages can be lack of information about the parents, size and temperament can be a surprise as a puppy grows up, and they cannot participate in AKC sanctioned events, though they are welcomed by many other organizations. Shameless plug - an adult dog from the shelter is a wonderful option!

There is so much to consider when choosing a four-legged companion who may spend the next decade with you.  Do your homework to avoid a possibly heartbreaking mistake.

Jan Casey is a reward-based dog trainer and owner of Smiles and Wags Pet Services (www.smilesandwags.com) in Cookeville, TN.