Did you know that all my siblings and most of my friends at The Hipster Hound daycare are mutts!? They are a beautiful blend of all types of different dog breeds, but they’re all AWESOME! So December 2 has been dubbed National Mutt Day to raise awareness of the plight of mixed breed dogs in shelters, to educate the public about the sea of mixed breed dogs that desperately await new homes, and to celebrate the amazing characteristics that the mix of breeds creates in each individual dog.
A Sad Truth
The biggest percentage of dogs abandoned and euthanized is due to the constant over-breeding and public desire of designer dogs and purebred puppies that are sold to pet stores which are supplied by puppy mills that often produce ill and horribly neglected animals. Approximately 80 percent of dogs in shelters are mixed breeds. Most purebreds that end up in a shelter are generally rescued quickly while mutts are often overlooked.
Why Mutts are Best
- Mutts tend to be healthier: Purebred dogs are often mated with their own kind, which means they aren't that genetically different. Combining breeds allows for a bit more mixing. So some of the recessive disorders of certain breeds are drowned out by the dominant genes of other breeds. This means your mutt is more likely to escape the hereditary conditions of their parents, so they'll probably be healthier for longer.
- Mutts are less expensive to adopt: It can be quite expensive to buy from a dog breeder. But adopting from a shelter is a great way to save a dog who needs some love, and adoption fees are fairly low, especially compared to the hundreds or thousands of dollars you may have to pay a breeder.
- Mutts are less likely to be stolen: A mutt probably won't fetch a high price for criminals looking to steal and sell them for profit. It's unfortunate that this type of crime even exists, and we wish no dogs would ever be taken from their families, but it happens. And purebred dogs are far more likely to be targets for dognappers.
- Mutts don’t look like every other dog: Mutts are unique and special. If you have one, you'll probably be the only person in your town with a pup like yours. Even puppies of the same litter can look very different.
Final Thoughts on Mutts
Mixed breed dogs tend to be healthier, better behaved, and live longer. There are millions of loving and healthy mutts sitting in shelters, who are desperately searching for a new home. Please consider rescuing a mutt before going to a breeder!
Woof,
Rex, The Original Hipster Hound
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