Mongrel or pedigree?

[Evediane]

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What is the best puppy to choose regarding a healthy pup.

We have just lost our beautiful yellow lab. She had Mast cell cancer and we are devastated.

The previous lab had to have both cruciate ligaments operated on,and we carefully nursed her back to health.

As you can imagine we are quite concerned that if we get another puppy we want it to be the healthiest we can possibly get. Apart from the heartache although insured,it has cost us both emotionally and our pockets!

Is a dog of mixed breed healthier in the long run.?

The dog we just lost had parents with excellent health scores and extremely well cared for by the breeder and us.

Any advise???

 

[JoanneF]

I am so sorry you lost your lovely labs. But crossbreeds being healthier? In short, no. It used to be believed that a cross or mongrel would be healthier but that's no longer true. Especially with the popularity of some crosses - anything ending in 'poo' can inherit, for example, conditions that are problems in poodles like luxating patella etc. So a Cavapoo could have congenital problems relating to both cavaliers and poodles. IF both parents were health tested (testing being very different from health checks) then you might be able to get a pup with a low chance of inheriting a congenital health problem. But crosses are seldom health tested. Sadly, many pure bred pups from popular breeds are also not tested, because of puppy farms and back yard breeders but I still think more are than crossbreeds. I despair at some of the pugs and French Bulldogs I see with such short snouts they can barely breathe. And let's not even start on temperament!

The bottom line is, in order to avoid long term health issues and vet bills, whatever dog you would like, make sure the parents are tested for whatever issues the breed (or breeds, plural) has. Or rescue something !

 

[spanielmad]

I agree with Joanne regarding mixing breeds - the trouble with mixing is you never know exactly what you'll get. I used to believe that a crossbreed was a dog bred from two full pedigrees, and a mongrel was from more than two pedigrees? Not sure if that's right. Incidentally, i now have what i believe is a cocker cross springer spaniel. I don't really mind what she is, she's a Spaniel, she's crazy and i love her. These are apparently called Sprockets. I'm not part of the gundog community, but have been reading up, and apparently some spaniel owners want 'sprockers' to be a pedigree recognised by the KC, as both parents are spaniels, they don't see them as cross breeds? Again, i don't know much about this but a friend told me recently that jack Russell have only just been recognised by the Kennel club as they were seen as crosses, any thoughts on this?

Above should say Sprockers not Sprockets

 

[Evediane]

Guess you just can't screen against something like mast cell cancer , just was very very bad luck that our lab got it so young . Only just turned 5 . But, she had 5 years of good life, we loved her and she loved us....

I think we can't have a complete home without a labrador in it!! So will be looking after we have grieved for Bea, when the time is right for us.

Until then I will do my homework and really choose carefully from well and properly tested parents of a litter.

Any tips on what to look for????

 

[JoanneF]

If you are looking at another lab, this might help -

http://www.thelabradorsite.com/health-screening-for-labrador-diseases/

If you are thinking of a different breed, we are probably all biased! But it really depends on your lifestyle and personal preferences. Do let us know what you decide.

 

[excuseme]

In my understanding (I am probably wrong) I thought and am sure I have read that the springer and the cocker were originally the same breed. That they were selected from the same litters of which the smaller ones became the cocker and the larger ones became the Springer (by weight), and at some stage became the two different spaniel breeds such as they are now !!

I will try to find out where I picked up this information. <_< There is a mention of this on Wickipedia . (springer spaniel: history)

 

[Evediane]

Thank you JoanneF. Really usefully information.

Will choose very carefully.

Yes I think only another Labrador for us!

Will let you know what happens! I'd like a puppy straight away but probably need a bit of space between saying goodbye and getting another, maybe late summer?

We'll take our time and ensure we get a puppy exactly right for our family.

Watch this space!

 

[spanielmad]

In my understanding (I am probably wrong) I thought and am sure I have read that the springer and the cocker were originally the same breed. That they were selected from the same litters of which the smaller ones became the cocker and the larger ones became the Springer (by weight), and at some stage became the two different spaniel breeds such as they are now !!

I will try to find out where I picked up this information. <_< There is a mention of this on Wickipedia . (springer spaniel: history)

I found a kennels called Uggeshall kennels when i was researching Sprockers online. They look really good and have lots of info on the spaniel breed, you have a spaniel too i think, what dogs do you have?

 

[excuseme]

Yes, cockers.

 

[gypsysmum2]

I do believe that true mongrels, rather than cross breeds, are healthier than pedigrees or designer crosses. The trouble is that it is very difficult, in some areas, to find mongrel pups. I live in a country area and there are lots of Labradors around here. Cancer, in its various forms, seems to be very common among them. Not sure if the working lines are healthier but they are very busy dogs so not to everyone's taste.

After losing several pedigree dogs, that we owned, to the various ailments that afflict that particular breed, we decided to look for a mongrel this time. The only one we could find came from Romania. Such a shame that we had to walk past all the other dogs in the rescue centres because I worried about the hereditary conditions that might be afflicting the pedigrees and cross breeds looking for homes