Please talk to me about 'mutts'!

[holmessweetholmes]

Hi. I started a thread a while back about what breed of dog to get. I love spaniels, labradors, pointers. Am basically a big fan of gundogs.

However I am starting to consider a crossbreed. Is it true they often have fewer health problems and are cheaper to insure?

Also, we would be wanting to get a puppy (I have the time to devote to puppy training). Where would be the best place to find my mutt? Do dog rescue places tend the have many young puppies? Or is it ok to get a puppy from an advert - I know there are lots of warnings about unscrupulous breeders selling pedigree dogs, but what warnings would apply to getting a crossbreed from a normal dog-owner?

I would still be keen to have a dog which was basically a gundog-type, or maybe gundog crossed with something else.

Many thanks!

They are much cheaper to insure.

Mutts have the same chance of illness as the average pedigree dog...contrary to the hybrid vigour myth.But in comparison to some breeds where there are known health issues common in the breed they have less inherited problems.

Where to source your mixed breed is a interesting question.Personally I would never pay more than a token gesture for a cross bred dog..cockerpoos etc are being bred in most cases for profit.the parents are rarely health tested and their is no guarantees that the puppys will be low shed/hypoallergenic.

Many rescues will have puppies and younger dogs available.They also are usually quite good at helping match you with a dog..ie you tell then your lifestyle and they usually can suggest you a suitable dog for it...

Your best bet is look at your own setup.
realistically how much time have you for walking a dog every day/do you need one thats safe with young kids/have you experience with dogs/do you have a secure garden/will you still have time for a high energy dog in 5 years time...and try and work out what level of energy and temperment you are looking for based on your actual life....ie working fulltime versus parttime...

Your other alternative is to get a purebred pup...from a health tested line(ie hips/elbows scared and eyes tested in both parents in labs)

Online adverts can be misleading and they are often used by people breeding dogs purely for profit(in spite of the dangers to the bitch or having many litters).But many a good dog was obtained from a surprise litter. A good check over the pup before hand and the strength not to buy a puppy because you feel sorry for it is highly recommended if going down this route. Sick puppies can be an expensive purchase and lead to longterm heart ache.

I love mutts I really do but I would only ever get them from rescue. I would not pay for one from a breeder, mainly because I believe that with the absolute crisis we have with regard to unwanted dogs, the only breeding that should be going on is very careful breeding (health checks, well researched and matched matings) to further particular breeds. Generally speaking decent breeders that breed for good reason and do it well will not be breeding crosses. Buying from backyard breeders encourages them to continue.

It's a gross oversimplification to say that crosses have fewer health problems. If you mix two pure breeds the cross may develop conditions that the parents are predisposed to. Even if you are going to put a dog to a dog of a different breed, it should still have tested clear for any hereditary conditions and have good scores on other health tests (e.g. hips). Contrary to Arudonto I haven't found my cross breeds cheaper to insure.

If you are set on a puppy, rescue places do sometimes have puppies. The exact same warnings as apply to purchasing a pedigree apply to purchasing a cross-breed. If you want a gundog and can't find what you are looking for in rescue, I would strongly advise you to go to a reputable breeder, which usually will mean one breeding pedigrees. Choose the type of dog you want then contact breed clubs to identify potential breeders. Expect to go on a waiting list for a litter and answer lots of questions. Run a country mile in the opposite direction of anyone advertising litters on Pets4Homes and the like. Decent breeders do not do this.

Thank you both. Food for thought... I guess I will see what is available.

Damn laptpop keeps chucking me out before I can post!

In short, beware of anyone that's advertising to sell puppy because their son/daughter has developed allergies. It's just a cynical, money-making scam to make you believe it's coming from a family home. It's not, it will have been "shipped" in a few days before. Same for story that goes "oops, it was accidental mating" It may have been, but you won't have any health checks on parents done.

A good rescue will have puppies in foster homes, so they are socialised and grow up with other dogs/kids/cats/ and are used to the hustle and bustle of a normal home. They will have had their first vaccinations and be microchipped. It's true that they won't always know the full history of the parents of the puppies but they will have been vet-checked.

Google rescues within the travel distance you're willing to do, try and join the rescue Facebook page, they're usually a lot more up to date than rescue website pages. Contact them via a PM on Facebook and get chatting. May take time as they're nearly always volunteers, so don't expect immediate contact/answers but they will be able to advise you if a suitable pup comes in, if you've already got a relationship with them.

They will want to homecheck you but it's mostly just to see that your garden is secure, you've thought about arrangements for holidays/work etc.

Good luck.

Thank you. Will check out the Facebook rescue page. I will not be working for a good while, and after that will probably go back very part time. We have people happy to look after our dog in holiday time etc. Not sure yet about secure garden as we are relocating (aiming to get a dog once we've settled in). I guess if not we'd have to dog-proof it!

Please consider a rescue. I am in Ireland where rescues and pounds are full of pedigree gun dogs and crosses, and very often litters of pups.

There are several reputable UK rescues who bring dogs over from Ireland.
As it happens I am fostering a stunning four month old pup at the moment, gundog cross type, but she is just one of many who desperately need good homes.

After the very sad loss of our last rescue boxer we rehomed a 6month boxer, but also bought (at the same time) a puppy pointer lab cross, not our intention but has worked out well. I don't know if we have been lucky but the lab/pointer is fabulous, with no health issues so far. Same goes for our boxer. Both have had extensive training classes and both are a joy to be with.

I will certainly look at rescues. Very excited at the prospect of getting a dog. I have always wanted to really but the time hasn't been right. Dd will go crazy when we tell her - she is dog-obsessed!