A mixed-breed puppy often has the advantage of having a much lower chance of being born with inherited congenital diseases, since the mating process naturally leaves out the defective genes. This is a general truism.
There are many dog lovers who are devoted to mixed breed dogs. They feel that mixed breeds are much less likely to exhibit the results of interbreeding, such as temperament, intelligence and health issues.
Mixed breeds are likely to have a lower risk for receiving a high dose of specific purebred genetic material that can lead to inherited disease, I believe they’re healthier than purebreds in this particular sense. As a result, many mixed breeds have a lower rate of hip dysplasia, certain knee diseases, most spinal diseases, many heart diseases, plenty of cancers and a whole lot of skin, blood, brain, liver and kidney diseases, among others.
Of course a good diet and the good physical routine will keep your pet healthy and happy.
Health benefits
A mixed-breed puppy often has the advantage of having a much lower chance of being born with inherited congenital diseases, since the mating process naturally leaves out the defective genes. This is a general truism. there are many dog lovers who are devoted to mixed breed dogs. They feel that mixed breeds are much less likely to exhibit the results of interbreeding, such as temperament, intelligence and health issues. This is generally true, but being a mixed breed is not a guarantee of superior health.
Scientific data
Data from –
- Bellumori TP, TR Famula, DL Bannasch, JM Belanger, & AM Oberbauer 2013 Prevalence of inherited disorders among mixed-breed and purebred dogs: 27,254 cases (1995-2010). J Am Vet Med Assoc 242: 1549-1555. (pdf)
Here is what they found:
1) The incidence of 10 genetic disorders (42%) was significantly greater in purebred dogs.
2) The incidence of 1 disorder (ruptured cranial cruciate ligament; 4%) was greater in mixed breed dogs.
3) For the rest of the disorders examined, they found no difference in incidence between mixed and purebred dogs.
| MORE IN PUREBREEDS Aortic stenosis Dilated cardiomyopathy Elbow dysplasia IVDD Hypoadrenocorticism Atopy / allergic dermatitis Bloat Cataracts Epilepsy (total) Portosystemic shunt | MORE IN MIXED BREEDS Ruptured cranial cruciate ligament | NO DIFFERENCE Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Mitral valve dysplasia Patent ductus arteriosus Ventricular septal defect Hemangiosarcoma Lymphoma Mast cell tumor Osteosarcoma Hip dysplasia Patellar luxation Hyperadrenocortism Hypothyroidism Lens luxation Epilepsy (confirmed) Epilepsy (probable) Epilepsy (suspect) |
