I know a lot of people recently have been talking about the health differnces a purebred versus a mixed dog has. I've heard some say mixed dogs are healthier then purebreds. Usually the people saying that are the people who breed the mutts though. My understanding was there's never been serious testing on that. And in my own personal experince, I've never noticed a diffrence. Whether is true or not, it's kind of dangerous to pass around. People will start going to people who breed mutts in the hopes of getting a healthier dog.

There never has been any serious testing done on purebred health issues vs. mixed breed health issues. Of course many purebred dogs have certain health problems associated with their respective breed, but no serious studies have been done in mixed breeds to see what health issues they exhibit.

People already breed mutts... I think 90% of people are already breeding for all the wrong reasons, and in puppy mills, back yard breeders, accidental litters, etc. No one is breeding for health, just money, and I believe that will continue to be the case.

Until more people become more educated on the ills of over breeding, and what it really takes to be a GOOD breeder, over population of unhealthy and healthy dogs will take place.

I find it to be very inaccurate actually most mixed breeds often suffer from the genetic problems of both breeds rather than just one. They are trying to apply hybrid vigor to the situation. Hybrids are NOT mixed breeds though hybrid vigour only applies to different species such as a dog and a wolf.

angeeleeta,
are you against all dog breeding? I can't remember what you might have said in other posts. My aunt's rottie mix got cancer, which I know to be a rottie thing. But her other pure rottie hasn't gotten cancer yet. And the mix was younger then the rottie when he got it. So obviously it's more of a thing mutt breeders tell their customers.

quote:

Originally posted by talltail:
angeeleeta,
are you against all dog breeding? I can't remember what you might have said in other posts. My aunt's rottie mix got cancer, which I know to be a rottie thing. But her other pure rottie hasn't gotten cancer yet. And the mix was younger then the rottie when he got it. So obviously it's more of a thing mutt breeders tell their customers.

I think any dog can get cancer, just like any human can get cancer. Some things like sickle cell anemia are secular to only black people, as some diseases are to dogs. However, I don't believe that any specific ailment has been linked to any specific breed of dog.

I am not against all dog breeding. I am however against about 90% of a people who do choose to breed their dogs. I feel that they do it for all the wrong reasons, and don't understand the hard work and the money that goes into doing it the proper way. Their are millions of unwanted dogs in the world, and dogs are pets. Any dog can be a pet if it's just giving a chance.

Lol yeah angeleeta you should see the new babies ^-^ And our female who just hit two is getting her x-rays next week.

No specific type of ailment is strictly connected to any certain breed. But I know a lot of rotties get cancer. And both of her poodles came down with something common to poodles.

I'm against 90% of breeders as well. I actually have gotten in an argument recently with some PETA people against all dog breeding. Rottie pups? How cute!

quote:

Originally posted by badkittyamy:
Lol yeah angeleeta you should see the new babies ^-^ And our female who just hit two is getting her x-rays next week.

Amy is obviously in the 10% of people who are doing the right thing, for the right reasons.

I would love to see the new pups! Pictures up soon?

Yes, it's good to see some responsible people out there! I love rotties, I would love to see pics of them!

lol i will upload some once i get the time and link you guys to the new pics. Soon I'll also have a video of the demonstration we did with personal protection dogs.

I've never heard of any rotties getting cancer so that one is new to me. (obviously some dogs get it) I would say there are definite genetic ailments linked to certain breeds however. OFFA.org has statistics on genetic defects such as hip and elbow dysplasia and whether a breed is predisposed to it and if so how badly.

Rottweilers are VERY high on the list for HD. However you will not see a rottweiler with the spinal problem dachshunds have.

You can't really do anything about the risk of cancer in a dog as the genetics aren't there. That and many forms are operable and so on.

I found this, rather interesting.

Cancer Incidence in Dogs

Although ample circumstantial evidence exists for cancer incidence in dogs, detailed, epidemiological data is hard to come by. We have compiled the following list from a wide variety of sources as a guide to malignancies affecting specific high risk breeds.

It is a sad fact that many of the high risk breeds, also tend to make the most popular pets.

High Risk Breeds:

Golden Retrievers

Boxers

German Shepherd Dogs

Cocker Spaniels

West Highland White Terriers

Rottweilers

Doberman Pinschers

Schnauzers

Flat Coat Retrievers

Bernese Mountain Dogs

Great Danes

Greyhounds

Standard Poodles


The most common types of cancer found in dogs:

Lymphoma. Accounts for approximately 20% of all canine tumours. It can affect any breed at any age. Males and females are at equal risk. Particularly high incidence is found in Golden Retrievers, Boxers, German Shepherds, Scottish Terriers, West Highland Terriers and Pointers.

Mast Cell Tumours. Reportedly shows a similar incidence to lymphoma of 20% of all canine tumours. Can occur in dogs of any age (average 8 to 10 years). Boxers are especially prone as are Pugs and Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

Mammary Tumours in un-spayed females. Intact female dogs are at high risk of developing malignant mammary tumours. 25% of intact females over the age of four will probably develop one or more mammary tumours. German Shepherds, Dobermans, Poodles and Cocker Spaniels have a greater incidence.

Melanoma. Occurs commonly in dogs with dark pigmented skin and accounts for approximately 6% of all canine tumours. Any dog can be affected, but Cocker Spaniels, Gordon Setters, Standard and Miniature Schnauzers, Doberman Pinschers, and Scottish terriers, among others, are at increased risk to develop melanoma.

Osteosarcoma. The most common type of primary bone cancer accounting for up to 85% of tumours that originate in the skeletal system. Of total canine malignancies, Osteosarcoma accounts for about 5%. The disease usually becomes evident during middle age (~7-10 yr), although bone cancer can affect dogs under 1 year of age. The giant breeds are particularly susceptible, for example, Great Danes, Mastiffs, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Irish Wolfhounds. Large breeds such as Rottweilers, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Shepherds, Dobermans, Weimaraners, Greyhounds and Boxers are also at an increased risk.

hmmmm well this is a tuff descision..... purebred vs mixed well i think it doesnt matter every dog is different and i think that ppl shouldn't judge dogs on their breds.