Possibly the single most contentious factor in discussing what type of dog should be acquired is its ancestry the only common factor for all purebred dogs is that both parents come from the same breed, and even this is not an accurate guide, as some ma y be bred without regard to a definite program, while others may be closely bred from parents of different but similar strains.
A mongrel, a term which is sometimes used as a disparagement, can be the product of two purebred parents of different breeds, in which case the offspring is referred to as crossbred. Alternatively, the ancestry may include a kaleidoscopic array of mixed breeds; such mongrels are often jocularly known as 'Heinz' varieties. The term purebred is preferable to pedigree because the latter can have connotations of pampered show dogs or imply Kennel Club registration. While all Kennel Club registered dogs are purebred, there is no necessity for an owner to register a dog in order to prove that it is purebred.
The advantages of choosing a purebred dog include the fact that a source of supply can be found with relative ease. The various breeds all have clubs which will advise on purchase and handling. Virtually all purebred pups were conceived deliberately and will therefore have been reared, before birth and after, to reasonable standards; they will not vary from their ancestors, except minimally in size and coat type, and within the limitations that temperament is partly controlled by inheritance, they can be expected to behave to the breed pattern. In addition, the sire of a litter is, except in a tiny percentage of cases, totally identifiable and can, if required , be seen and handled so that the purchaser can get some idea of likely temperament.
The main disadvantages of the purebred dog can be attributed to the very fact that it is purebred. The emergence of a breed of dog which will breed 'true' is the result of a long selection process, and when the particular type is fixed in its characteristics and continues to produce generations of closely similar dogs, a new breed can be said to have been produced. Because closely similar dogs are thereafter used in a breeding programme, the chances of finding not only the desired attributes in many specimens but also any undesirable characteristics or faults arc increased. This is the reason why inherited defects occasionally occur in purebred dogs. Conscientious breeders, aware of an inherited defect emerging in the breed, do their best to eradicate it, but the warning signs may not be obvious; they may be missed or on occasions deliberately ignored.
In Britain, the Kennel Club and the British Veterinary Association have together devised methods of assisting breeders to tackle the more prevalent defects. A potential purchaser of a particular breed is advised to make inquiries from the local veterinary practice as to the known presence or absence of hereditary defects, such as hip dysplasia or Progressive retinal atrophy and hereditary cataract. This does not imply that purebred dogs invariably inherit some defect but certain breeds, including several of the more popular ones, seem more prone than others. All large breeds with the exception of racing Greyhounds may inherit hip dysplasia, for example, and several breeds, irrespective of size inherit generalized or central PRA. It is expensive to breed and rear strong healthy puppies, and some breeders are under pressure to try to keep alive some of the less robust members of a purebred litter. Many breeders cull those puppies which do not appear perfect, especially in the case of breeds which have large litters, such as Labrador Retrievers and Great Danes. Culling is less common with breeds having small litters, such as the tiny Chihuahua, which may produce only one puppy and rarely more than four or five the breeder consequently has more incentive to keep the pups alive.
Another, slight disadvantage of the purebred dogs lies with the owner rather than with the dog. Certain breeds attract a certain type of owner on a status-symbol basis: the Afghan Hound complements the tall, elegant couple the German Shepherd Dog appeals as a protector to nervous people, who may not consider the possible complications of handling a powerful, intelligent creature.
The mongrel is often considered by its devotees as more intelligent and healthy than the purebred dog, but there is little evidence to prove this one way or another. It may well be that because mongrels are difficult to sell or give away, only the biggest and strongest looking are, in many cases, retained at birth. Inherited defects are more likely to appear in cross breeds than in unrecognizable mongrels because of their closeness to the pure strains from which they originate. Defects do occur in mongrels, but to a lesser degree, probably because of the culling which takes place at birth.
Mongrels of any sort are accidents. Few pet owners set out to breed a litter deliberately, and often the fact that the family bitch is expecting is only discovered when the pregnancy is far advanced or even virtually completed. The identity of the sire is often shrouded in mystery, and there may well be more than one sire to a single litter, as the bitch ovulates over a period of days and may have been mated several times as she roamed unchecked.
Although it is obviously possible to see the mother of a mongrel pup and study her size, type, and temperament, the fact that she herself is the product of various canine characteristics means that she may give birth to pups which bear little or no relation to her or to each other. This coupled with doubts as to the character, background, or identity of the father makes it impossible to establish the future development and temperament of each individual pup. Records exist of matings between male Great Danes and female Dachshunds, and similar extraordinary couplings frequently occur. Mongrel puppies can, of course, be highly acceptable, but a prospective purchaser must approach the matter with an open mind and a readiness to accept surprises. These may well prove very satisfactory, but will always be unpredictable in the true nature of all surprises.
A mongrel, a term which is sometimes used as a disparagement, can be the product of two purebred parents of different breeds, in which case the offspring is referred to as crossbred. Alternatively, the ancestry may include a kaleidoscopic array of mixed breeds; such mongrels are often jocularly known as 'Heinz' varieties. The term purebred is preferable to pedigree because the latter can have connotations of pampered show dogs or imply Kennel Club registration. While all Kennel Club registered dogs are purebred, there is no necessity for an owner to register a dog in order to prove that it is purebred.
The advantages of choosing a purebred dog include the fact that a source of supply can be found with relative ease. The various breeds all have clubs which will advise on purchase and handling. Virtually all purebred pups were conceived deliberately and will therefore have been reared, before birth and after, to reasonable standards; they will not vary from their ancestors, except minimally in size and coat type, and within the limitations that temperament is partly controlled by inheritance, they can be expected to behave to the breed pattern. In addition, the sire of a litter is, except in a tiny percentage of cases, totally identifiable and can, if required , be seen and handled so that the purchaser can get some idea of likely temperament.
The main disadvantages of the purebred dog can be attributed to the very fact that it is purebred. The emergence of a breed of dog which will breed 'true' is the result of a long selection process, and when the particular type is fixed in its characteristics and continues to produce generations of closely similar dogs, a new breed can be said to have been produced. Because closely similar dogs are thereafter used in a breeding programme, the chances of finding not only the desired attributes in many specimens but also any undesirable characteristics or faults arc increased. This is the reason why inherited defects occasionally occur in purebred dogs. Conscientious breeders, aware of an inherited defect emerging in the breed, do their best to eradicate it, but the warning signs may not be obvious; they may be missed or on occasions deliberately ignored.
In Britain, the Kennel Club and the British Veterinary Association have together devised methods of assisting breeders to tackle the more prevalent defects. A potential purchaser of a particular breed is advised to make inquiries from the local veterinary practice as to the known presence or absence of hereditary defects, such as hip dysplasia or Progressive retinal atrophy and hereditary cataract. This does not imply that purebred dogs invariably inherit some defect but certain breeds, including several of the more popular ones, seem more prone than others. All large breeds with the exception of racing Greyhounds may inherit hip dysplasia, for example, and several breeds, irrespective of size inherit generalized or central PRA. It is expensive to breed and rear strong healthy puppies, and some breeders are under pressure to try to keep alive some of the less robust members of a purebred litter. Many breeders cull those puppies which do not appear perfect, especially in the case of breeds which have large litters, such as Labrador Retrievers and Great Danes. Culling is less common with breeds having small litters, such as the tiny Chihuahua, which may produce only one puppy and rarely more than four or five the breeder consequently has more incentive to keep the pups alive.
Another, slight disadvantage of the purebred dogs lies with the owner rather than with the dog. Certain breeds attract a certain type of owner on a status-symbol basis: the Afghan Hound complements the tall, elegant couple the German Shepherd Dog appeals as a protector to nervous people, who may not consider the possible complications of handling a powerful, intelligent creature.
The mongrel is often considered by its devotees as more intelligent and healthy than the purebred dog, but there is little evidence to prove this one way or another. It may well be that because mongrels are difficult to sell or give away, only the biggest and strongest looking are, in many cases, retained at birth. Inherited defects are more likely to appear in cross breeds than in unrecognizable mongrels because of their closeness to the pure strains from which they originate. Defects do occur in mongrels, but to a lesser degree, probably because of the culling which takes place at birth.
Mongrels of any sort are accidents. Few pet owners set out to breed a litter deliberately, and often the fact that the family bitch is expecting is only discovered when the pregnancy is far advanced or even virtually completed. The identity of the sire is often shrouded in mystery, and there may well be more than one sire to a single litter, as the bitch ovulates over a period of days and may have been mated several times as she roamed unchecked.
Although it is obviously possible to see the mother of a mongrel pup and study her size, type, and temperament, the fact that she herself is the product of various canine characteristics means that she may give birth to pups which bear little or no relation to her or to each other. This coupled with doubts as to the character, background, or identity of the father makes it impossible to establish the future development and temperament of each individual pup. Records exist of matings between male Great Danes and female Dachshunds, and similar extraordinary couplings frequently occur. Mongrel puppies can, of course, be highly acceptable, but a prospective purchaser must approach the matter with an open mind and a readiness to accept surprises. These may well prove very satisfactory, but will always be unpredictable in the true nature of all surprises.
