The biggest advantage to purchasing or adopting a purebred dog is predictability. Most breeds were created with a purpose (generally a type of work) that underlies their current temperment, structure, and type. Even many of the toy breeds maintain the characteristics of the dogs that were used to develop them. Obviously not all dogs of a breed are identical but when considering a type of pet you can get a pretty good idea of what the dog will look like, how he or she will behave, etc. Esp. If you have information about the dogs in its pedigree. You will also know the general pros and cons of the breed healthwise.
When someone crossbreeds they are doubling these options and creating dogs that can look completely different from each other. So although Morkies are usually darn cute, they don't look alike even within a litter. Same with health and temperment issues, you end up all over the map. Consistency and predictability are sacrificed. To be honest, I just don't get the point of doing this.
I am in favor of the adoption of non-purebreds in shelters but please remember that many of those dogs are there due to behavioral issues that may very well be complicated by the inconsistencies in the breeding of multiple types of temperments combining into one dog. I see a lot of this wiith beagle mixes, they have the barking and digging issue to begin with and if you combine that with a high strung dog like a lab (I am speaking in generalities obviously) you are ending up with a dog with a lot of potential for behavioral issues and a challenge for any owner. Again, it may make an awesome dog for someone willing to take the time for training but in the wrong hands that adorable 8 week old puppy ends up the hard to handle 11 month old at the local humane society. |