Mixed breed question

[starglass22]

I have a question if anyone knows the answer...when buying a cross breed puppy if you choose one that looks like one of the breeds does that mean it'll likely have more of that breeds character? For example if it was a Labrador x with a collie and you chose the one that looked very much like a Labrador would it have more lab than collie traits? Probably a very silly question but one that has been puzzling me!

There's absolutely no way of telling. It's pot-luck.

i wouldn't see how genetically the traits for coat tye/colour for example could impact the different genetics of temperament . it would be pure luck.

Thanks, just wondered. So a collie x lab for example could look like a lab but behave like a collie?

I would say it doesn't hold true

we have had a a lot of Lab/GRet crosses and they nearly always look like Labs, but have had the slightly brighter GRet temperament

Also a few GSD/GRet one who looked very GSD but was totally unlike the three full GSDs we have had.

So the character is as random as the looks imo.

Nope they’re totally separate...

It's pot luck. A random chance of what you'll get more of. If you would prefer to have more of one side of the family than the other, why not go for a purebred version of that?

@AvocadosBeforeMortgages

It's pot luck. A random chance of what you'll get more of. If you would prefer to have more of one side of the family than the other, why not go for a purebred version of that?

I’ve had a few mix breed dogs, because they were rescues... so going for a full one not really an option, lol

With puppies where the traits are kind of important because you can’t gauge what the dog is like it always been a case of, well I like both those, so it won’t matter really if it’s more one or the other or s mix of both.

Go for a young rescue dog and you'll be able to get an accurate assessment of its temperament, energy levels, drives etc.

There are so many dogs out there looking for homes - I reckon it's best to think about what temperament, energy levels etc would suit your lifestyle and then look for a dog with those attributes than get hung up on breed.

I did a lot of looking and research and ended up adopting a 1yr old mixed breed from Spain. I posted on a rescue FB group and said 'I'm looking for a dog with these kind of characteristics for this kind of home' and a few people with dogs to rehome shared suitable dogs with me.

I am thrilled with the dog who arrived. He has a perfect temperament for our household and has slotted in really well.

@tabulahrasa Mine's a rescue crossbreed too. He seems to have come out a fairly even mix of the two breeds, though it's hard to tell sometimes, and I have no prior experience with either breed. He's just DDog to me now!

My Lab x Springer looks just like a black lab. He is all Springer in his head though.

Interesting, thanks for the replies! I'm looking at a cross breed...I would like a bit of both of these breeds but don't think I would want it to be 100% one or the other. Is a cross breed likely to be a mix of both personalities or could it be possible to have one that is 100% one and none of the other?

@starglass22

Interesting, thanks for the replies! I'm looking at a cross breed...I would like a bit of both of these breeds but don't think I would want it to be 100% one or the other. Is a cross breed likely to be a mix of both personalities or could it be possible to have one that is 100% one and none of the other?

You have no way of knowing.

Cross breeds can be a fairly even mix, or you could end up with one that's 90% one breed and 10% the other. It's luck of the draw.

I would say if you're not willing to deal with 100% of one breeds personality traits, then a mix of that breed certainly isn't a good idea.

I don't know if it's the personality as such as both of these breeds are lovely affectionate dogs. I'm just scared of getting a dog that turns out to be too hyper or difficult in another way. I don't know, it's just the risk you take with any dog I guess.

If you’re looking at puppy crosses and one of the parent breeds wouldn’t suit you, then it’s not a great idea to get it tbh.

You've mentioned lab x collie a couple of times and also mentioned being scared of getting a dog that turns out to be 'too hyper or difficult'. Hopefully you were just using the collie x lab as an example, because it would be a very poor choice of mix if you are looking for a calm, easy puppy.

And it's not just breed traits, but the individual dogs that the puppies have been bred from. If they're both working dogs like a working type Lab and a working Collie, you better like walking, have a few acres of your own and rarely like sitting down.

If high energy levels are a concern, don't get a dog with Collie in it for starters.

No collie in it but another herding breed. I'm not wanting a calm, easy puppy. We would be looking for an active family dog and would be walking it most likely one long walk and two short/medium walks per day. Happy to have an active dog but a couple of mix breeds I know are relentlessly active so I'm just thinking it all through. But perhaps that signals it's not right for us. Thanks

I had a lurcher who was border collie x greyhound. Pretty much 100% greyhound in the head (not sharpest tool in the box, selective hearing, sensitive but calm and so so dear). She had stamina of a border collie out on walks and could go for hours but then would come in and sleep for hours.
Also had a full BC who was much more involved in everything (and much much cleverer).
I would be v careful with BC mixes as if they inherit the brains you've got to be fully prepared to organise full-time employment for them for their whole lives otherwise they make their own jobs up which isn't ideal.

Not a border collie but Australian Shepherd so I'm just trying to research how alike they are to Border Collies.

@starglass22

Not a border collie but Australian Shepherd so I'm just trying to research how alike they are to Border Collies.

Well they’re popular with agility people for a reason.

@starglass22

Not a border collie but Australian Shepherd so I'm just trying to research how alike they are to Border Collies.

Aussies will have very similar energy levels and intelligence to the Border, but a tiny bit larger in body size. And yes, often used for agility, see them a lot with trick-training as well, that's the intelligence bit coming in to play.

Aussie or Border crosses will be high maintenance and need jobs to do, as @Babamamananarama said, otherwise they find their own jobs which could mean destroying your house a bit...

Thanks. I'll speak to the breeder more too as she owns the mum (Australian Shepherd) and also ask what her previous cross litters have turned out like, if she knows.

With a cross breed you get a bit of both breeds. They are unique and you don't know which breed with be more dominant in the dog.

@Sitdowncupoftea thanks, yes that's what I was thinking. I suppose that's part of the appeal and part of the worry!