Dog Breeding - The Advantages and Disadvantages of Purebreds

More and more people are becoming aware of the issues that purebred dog breeding creates problems when breeders put too much emphasis on selectivity. The main problem regarding this is the misconception that purebred dogs are better than mixed bred ones. There are indeed some undeniable advantages to using selective breeding to a certain extent; however, there is also a down side.

Pure-breeding often implies very strict and elaborate methods of discerning which traits to keep in the gene pool and which to discard. These traits usually refer to size, coat, color as well as other characteristics. Selective dog breeding can therefore lead to the development of strong, healthy puppies that you can choose depending on their own specific traits and how well they would blend in with your own lifestyle. This can of course lead to a very strong bond between you and your pet.

It may seem that there is nothing wrong with any of this, but, as we have mentioned earlier, there are disadvantages that come with selective dog breeding. First of all there is a moral issue involved that needs to be carefully considered, but that has not been brought up in most cases.

The fact is that dogs are intelligent, loyal and loving animals which deserve our love and respect. However, many people consider themselves as being superior to them, so they try to control them. When seen from this point of view, dog breeding is simply another act of control. While we do have more intellectual abilities than our canine companions, our duty and responsibility should be to care for them and assist them regardless of their breed.

Another noteworthy disadvantage of pure-breeding is the appearance of hereditary diseases. Large breed dogs, for example, are prone to hip problems, while other breeds have high chances of developing hearing issues or even epilepsy. Even though most dog breeders go to great lengths to ensure that all the dogs they care for are healthy, it has become a known fact that mixed breeds are far more resilient when it comes to fighting off certain diseases and many experts say that this has precisely to do with the diversity of their genes.

Of course, in the end, you have to understand that all dogs deserve to live a good life regardless of the way they have been bred or trained. Each dog has its own advantages no matter what his genetic background may be. While purebreds are usually trained and bred to follow certain trait and behavior patterns, mixed breeds have the advantage of uniqueness and stronger resistance to disease.

Everyone who hopes to become a pet owner should carefully research the type of dog they wish to buy or adopt and make sure to be able to offer them a happy home. Whether you consider selective dog breeding to be an advantage or not, you must still remember that all dogs deserve our love and respect.

Share this article on Dog Breeding - The Advantages and Disadvantages of Purebreds with friends.

If you enjoyed this article please take a look at our Pet Tips and Information Archive.