A Question From A Friend

[jess live die]

my friend dose not have her net up atm and has asked that i ask for her.

shes looking in to getting a puppy late may early june and was wondering what people thoughts are on x breeds?

she loves SBT and American bull dogs and done some research into both breeds and thought to try the rspca and she would rather save a dog before looking into pure bred.

she said shes not worried if they are crossed or pure breed dogs she has owned both breeds in the past after i told her how great this fourm was with advise and love for every dog/puppy she said would i ask.

can a x breed be just as good as a pure breed?

in your own opinion would it be better to try rescue groups/ rspca 1st?

[FranVT]

Oh gosh.

Well, this is a purebred dog forum, so we don't promote cross breeding, there are always rescue puppies and dogs in need though.

[megan_]

A cross breed from a rescue org can be just as healthy, happy and loveable as a pure breed.

Intentionally breeding cross breeds is another kettle of fish all together.

I would also be wary of a rescue group that had loads and loads of puppies available, but that is just me. If she wants a rescue puppy, she may have to wait a while. It is also a bit of "pot luck" becasue the parentage of the puppies is NEVER 100% guaranteed. She'd need to be prepared to have it grow and grow and grow, or go for something slightly older.

[FranVT]

Yeah puppies don't come along *that* often do they? Good advice megan.

[Nic oh lah]

she would rather save a dog before looking into pure bred.

Keep in mind that there are plenty of Pure Bred dogs available for rehoming - if she'd prefer to rescue a dog rather than purchase from a Breeder then that's fine, some would prefer to give an abandoned dog a 2nd chance which is a great thing, but there are plenty of dogs, purebred and X looking for loving homes. I've noticed there always seem to be SBT in the non-Euthanasia shelter I volunteer for - maybe help her get online at your place and have a look at the dogs available in shelters in your state.

Also i'd encourage her not to dismiss an older dog rather than a puppy, yes puppies are cute but one thing about rescuing an older dog is that you can see their personality and temperment, I got my Soph when she was already 18months, and it means I didn't have to deal with her barking all night, seperation anxiety, house training, and the puppy "chew on everything that moves" stage. I love my dog, and personally at this stage I prefer to have purebred dogs, but each to their own. The important thing to remember is that your freind needs to consider what type of dog and temperment she's looking for, and then commit to providing it with unconditional love for the next decade and beyond.

Edited January 19, 2010 by NicGSDlover

[jess live die]

i just called her well am on the phone and have read out what you have advised she said she dosent care how old the puppy is she throught puppies are between birth and a 12months and she not worried if it is a older puppy. she said thankyou while she is waiting for her net to be put back on she will ring around shelters and rescue groups see what there terms are and all the info she needs and if she can get one now she dosent mind but is looking for one that will love her.

she will be over later so she will be able to read all your advise for her self

[lappiemum]

Hi Jess-

Your friend should read the following:

http://www.dogzonline.com.au/pedigree_dogs.asp

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=90139 (you'll need tissues for this one)

http://www.vca.org.au/Content.asp?ID=171

http://www.vca.org.au/Content.asp?ID=143

There is also a frequently asked questions on pedigree dogs from the VCA site, which I have copied below:

PEDIGREE DOGS – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why should I buy a pedigreed, purebred puppy?

Purebred dog breeders put a lot of time and money into ensuring their puppies are healthy. Careful records

are kept with the pedigree of each dog and many breeders even go to the trouble of using artificial

insemination from purebred dogs around the world to ensure the bloodlines in Australia stay strong and

varied. Purebred dogs have consistent, predictable characteristics.

Are crossbred dogs healthier?

NO. Crossbred dogs are unpredictable in many ways, including health and particularly inherited defects.

Purebreds are tested for issues known to affect the breed to make sure only healthy dogs are bred with. Many

diseases are being eradicated through the careful breeding practices of caring, dedicated breeders. Crossing

breeds creates a genetic lottery with unknown results that therefore cannot be tested for in advance.

Do crossbred dogs have better temperament?

NO. This is one of many ways in which purebred dogs are more predictable. When you get a crossbred dog

you don’t know how it will turn out. Responsible breeders make sure they use animals with good

temperament in addition to health checks. Purebred dogs are just as loving and playful as any other dog, and

a predictable energy-level means you can find a dog that fits easily into your lifestyle.

Are crossbred dogs non-allergenic?

NOT CONSISTENTLY. When you create a crossbred puppy out of one breed that sheds and another that

doesn’t, there is just as much chance that your dog will shed as that it won’t. And there is no way to tell when

the puppy is young what its adult coat will be like. Once again the only way to guarantee a non- or lowshedding

coat is to purchase a purebred puppy with a consistent coat type.

What about designer dogs?

Designer dogs are just crossbreeds with a fancy name. They have the same unpredictability as any other

crossbred dog in terms of heritable disease, coat type and temperament.

Are purebreds for showing, and not house pets?

NO. Most dogs bred by DOGS Victoria breeders are chosen to be much loved family pets. People choose

purebred dogs because they can select a predictable pet that suits their lifestyle. When you hear the word

purebred do you think of a poodle with a lion clip? A hairless Chinese Crested Dog? Those “showie” breeds

can make great pets, and don’t forget that predictable purebreds include Labrador Retrievers, Schnauzers,

Cairn Terriers, Beagles and Border Collies!

Do breeders breed to win shows?

NO . . . and YES. Each breed has a written standard that defines the perfect specimen of a breed. No dog

will ever be perfect, but the standard serves as a guide for breeders to keep the consistent characteristics that

make purebreds so predictable. All dogs should be able to function in their day-to-day life whether they are a

house pet, a show dog or a working farm dog. No responsible breeder wants to create an unhealthy or

unhappy puppy. Judges reward dogs for being physically and temperamentally sound. Extreme exaggerations

do not result in award winning dogs. If breeders produce dogs that are healthy, well socialised, functional and

a good representation of the breed then they WILL win. And they will produce puppies that make excellent

family pets with long, healthy lives.

Rescue Option:

Is def worth considering, but does have pluses and negatives. If your friend wants to get a rescue, she can either go through the pound (note - most of the dogs in pounds are usually mixed breeds) or rescue, which may or may not be pedigree depending on the rescue. Its up to her, but she must keep in mind that particularly with pounds there is often very little info on the dog's history, so she must be prepared for any surprises (for example, the loveable small dog she bought home may be a chronic escapee!!). The advice above re crosses applies no matter where your next furfriend comes from.

Having said that, I have had crosses as well as pedigree dogs in my life, and have loved all of them!

Hope this helps.

[megan_]

Rescue Option:

Is def worth considering, but does have pluses and negatives. If your friend wants to get a rescue, she can either go through the pound (note - most of the dogs in pounds are usually mixed breeds) or rescue, which may or may not be pedigree depending on the rescue. Its up to her, but she must keep in mind that particularly with pounds there is often very little info on the dog's history, so she must be prepared for any surprises (for example, the loveable small dog she bought home may be a chronic escapee!!). The advice above re crosses applies no matter where your next furfriend comes from.

Having said that, I have had crosses as well as pedigree dogs in my life, and have loved all of them!

Hope this helps.

LM - If she gets a rescue that has been in foster care, they will know a lot about how the dog fits into a family, its issues etc. A pedigree dog can aslo have issues (eg be an escape artist, be a yapper etc).

Some of those links only apply to puppy farmers - not cross breeds in rescue (eg Leo's story). From the OP, it doesn't seem that the friend is interested in getting a DD oodle, but rather a rescue which will, in all likelihood, be a cross breed. Also, there are pedigree breeders who are puppy farmers also. Pedegree does not, unfortunately, euqate to "always ethical".

I would never advice someone to get a dog from a pound, but a ethical rescue is a totally different kettle of fish.

[jess live die]

aww thankyou ill get her to read through eveything when i see her this avo