I want to get a dog but dont know whether to buy a pedigree or mixed-breed dog? Is it true that most pedigree dogs have health issues? If you own a pedigree dog, have you experienced any breed related problems such as eye, joint, skin, breathing problems etc.?

Otherwise, if you have a mixed-bred dog, does it make a good pet and has it had any health problems?

Thanks!

No - but you need to check for breeding, health checks etc! You also need to research the breed for any health issuesw, and don't always believe what the breeder tells you - check for yourself,

My are certainly healthy!
DT

Hi Welcome to the forum.
No it's not true that most pedigree dogs have health problems, although having a Batchelor in Veterinary Medicine I'm slightly surprised that you have not already come across data and research into this.

You have posted this twice I think!
DT

Oooooooo that was well spotted. l dont think that there is an answer for this one there are so many things that need to be considered. Catch question and someone starting an everlasting thread here me thinks.

no, its all about finding a good responsible breeder. You need to check the health concerns for a particular breed, and then check the breeders records for the health tests and certificates for the parents. If the parents pass the tests .e.g genetically free of PRA, good hip scores for their breed etc you should have a resonable assurance of healthy pups.

Healthy crossbreeds is a misnoma. Look at the post about zach having tests for elbow displasia, he is a crossbreed, it is no guarentee of health. The "designer" crossbreeds are unlikely to come from health tested parents, as they are being bred for the money, therefore you could get a puppy who is suffering from the diseased and health problems of both breeds combined . I have seen many heinz57's at the rescue needing treatment for hip problems, deaf dogs, blind dogs etc.

Saying all of this it doesnt mean that a crossbreed over a pedigree is going to be healthier than the other (although that is the general public opinion). It just means that with a pedigree dog from a good breeder you have some reassurance of the chances, and can have guarentees in some cases!

Not all pedigree dogs have health problems and not all mixed breeds don't have any problems. If you research the breed you want find out the problems and get a good breeder that health tests their dogs then theres a lot less chance of there being problems.

Health testing doesn't guarantee you'll have a dog free of genetic or any health problems, but it does mean hopefully the breeder has done everything possible to ensure they breed responsibly. The information from health testing is a tool to try and ensure you make a good decision about breeding.

'Hybrid vigour' isn't guaranteed with a cross breed either, mixing two different sets of genes can sometimes end up with disastrous consequences. Cross bred dogs can still suffer from the same sort of diseases and afflictions that pedigree dogs can, some genetic, others not.

Good advice re reading up on the specific breed you're interested in, and researching what health testing is available and what the results mean.

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I feel a can or worms being opened with this thread.

I think sometimes its the luck of the draw, we bought a springer from a reputable breeder, would imagine had had health checks, we also got his brother from the next litter they were 18mth apart. The first one Monty became ill and collapsed teats showed Dilated Cardio myopathy (enlarged heart) he was 6 yrs old, we were told it was genetic we did loads of research and they went back generations and generations no trace of this ilness we were concerned because of having his brother but was told it usually shows up at around 6 roughly, harvey is 9 this year so should be in the clear although its always on your mind.

If we had bred with him before this or for some reason cross bred then it would be in the safer non pedigree catagory but not really we could have easily been passed on through him. So it must be the ones that have lots of breeds in one. Iknow people with crossbreeds and have had lots of health problems, and people with pedigrees have had no problems and visa versa, so which ever you prefer go for it.