Really??????
Our shelter in the somewhat large town that I live in (400,000) appears to be the opposite of what many of you are describing.
They rarely has small mixed breeds. In fact, many people go there regularly hoping to find one. And, these people (let's be thankful for them) are definitely not looking for purebreds. They just want a "small dog" -- often because they are elderly and need to be able to lift their dogs or live in apartments, etc. There is not doubt that more people are looking for smaller dogs these days.
And alternatively - our shelter does, indeed, have a lot of purebreds. I can't count the labs and golden retreivers I have seen there....plus numerous other purebreds.
As far as breeding a Maltese and Yorkie - many of you here have small mixed breeds and love them to death. I have seen some that I would give an arm and a leg for. Our world is full of mixes and purebreds and always will be. I think the important thing whenever we deliberately have any litter of pups is that they will be happy, healthy, well taken care of, and go to loving homes.
So - I'm going to take the opposite stand and say that little mixed breeds are on the top of my list for being wonderful little pets. I have two purebreds - but if I had encountered a little Maltese/Yorkie mix while I was looking for my pup - it might well be with me right now.
Carol Jean |