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Years ago people who wanted
a dog had two choices. Get a purebred or a mutt. In the last 10
years there has been the introduction of a third option.
Intentional Hybrids. People who decide upon Intentional Hybrids such
as the Yorkiepoo, Maltipoo or Yorktese have done so for many
reasons. A high percentage of the people choose a hybrid for
the reasons that are outlined below.
Why a hybrid dog?
A hybrid puppy has two purebred
parents of different breeds. This intentional mix of breeds
allows us to have the predictability of the purebred, while
maintaining the genetic diversity of a mixed breed dog. A
hybrid puppy's characteristics will fall within the range of the two
breeds his parents are from. All
of our puppies are first generation (F1) crosses. The F1
hybrid is the healthiest cross possible due to “hybrid vigor” or
genetic diversity. We carefully select
each purebred parent for the characteristics that would result in
puppies with the most desirable pet qualities. The hybrids are
bred just to be a perfect pet for you.
What
are the advantages of having a purebred dog?
Purebreds
provide predictability with respect to size, color, coats,
temperament and traits. If you want a friendly dog or an aloof dog,
a high-energy dog or a low-energy dog, a small dog or a large dog, a
dog with lots of fur or a dog with very short fur, you can choose a
purebred that tends to have those characteristics. The parents
produce offspring that are totally predictable.......they will be
just like their parents.
Disadvantages
Over
300 genetic health defects have been documented in purebred dogs,
the incidence of defects is extremely high.
Reasons for this include:
What
are the advantages to a Mutt?
Because
their genes are usually unrelated, the chances are good that the
parents of a mutt puppy did not both have the same defective genes.
It is the pairing up of the same defective genes that cause some of
the worst health problems seen in most purebred dogs. Most mutt dogs
have good genetic diversity, which tends to promote overall health
and vigor.
Disadvantages
A
mutt isn't usually intentional. It is almost unheard of for a mutt
dog to have even one parent who has been tested for any genetic
disorder. With a mutt, you have to put your faith in his genetic
diversity, rather than in medical testing and breed specific traits.
If
you get a mutt which looks like a combination of two breeds, does
not assure that only those two breeds created the puppy or, for that
matter, those breeds were involved at all. A mutt could have many
many other combinations of breeds to create the dog. Thus, you might
be able to have a hint as to the temperament of the dog, you also
might have a hint on how large or small the dog will be, or what
type of fur the dog will have, but you will never know for sure
until the dog has fully matured. You must be willing to accept
whatever size, coat type and shedding your puppy has, as all their
characteristics won't won't be evident until they are adults.
A
mutt all too frequently has not had the benefit of a good start in
life. Proper medical care, proper socialization and breeder
knowledge can be missing in an unintentional breeding.
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