Pure Breed vs Cross Breed - Which Puppy is Right for Your Family

Deciding whether to buy or adopt a new puppy is not something you should rush. You have to be sure a puppy will fit into your family and that you have the time and resources to take care of a new four legged friend. There is also the question of whether to buy a pedigree puppy – and if so, what breed should you buy – or a cross-breed pup. So which one is likely to be right for you?

Bolt is Mixed Breed of Miniature Pinscher and Doberman Pinscher

Champ is a pure breed Jack Russel Terrier

Buying a Pure Bred Puppy

Pure bred puppies have two parents that are the same breed. For example, say you love yorkies, you would be looking for a pure bred puppy from a registered breeder of yorkies. What you wouldn’t want is a yorkie puppy whose parents were of dubious parentage. To avoid this happening, make sure you look for breeders who are registered with the American Kennel Club. 

Why Choose a Pedigree Puppy?

A lot of people want a pure bred pup because they have fallen in love with the idea of a particular breed, perhaps because they had a dog of that breed as a child, or because their favorite celebrity owns one. There is nothing wrong with buying a pure bred puppy, but expect to pay a lot more for the pup. Pure bred pups are also more likely to have health problems – many breeds are prone to serious genetic disorders.

Buying a Mixed Breed Puppy

Mixed breed puppies are not difficult to find. You can probably visit the local animal shelter and be greeted by dozens of cute puppies all waiting for a new home. Or you can try looking online at puppy websites such as Little Puppies Online, which sell cross breed puppies such as Cockerpoos and Morkies.

Why Choose a Mixed Breed?

Mongrels, mutts, whatever you want to call them, mixed breed dogs and puppies have a lot to offer. Mixed breed pups are less likely to have genetic disorders and other health problems. They can often be more suited to family life, and if you can’t afford to pay pedigree prices, a loveable mongrel is a much better choice.

What Dog is Right for You?

Is there room in your life for a puppy? You may assume the answer is yes, but don’t rush into buying a puppy without giving the matter some serious thought. A dog is for life, not just for a few months and it isn’t fair to take a cute puppy home and then give it up once it grows into an adult dog.

Puppies require a lot of time and care in the early months. Toilet training, exercise and visits to the veterinarian can be time consuming and expensive. You need to be prepared to treat your new puppy like a baby in the early weeks, as it may take him a while to learn some manners and get the hang of toilet training.

Puppies can be immensely rewarding little creatures. Like many animals, they have a lot to offer and if you give a puppy a home, you will be rewarded with a lifetime of unconditional love.