Cross Breeds

Is there Evidence to support that Cross Breed dogs are healthier?

I own a Dogue De Bordeaux x Rottweiler. Both these dogs can have serious health issues especially the Bordeaux. Is there any evidence that a crossbreed is healthier and thus should live longer etc. The bordeaux tend to live from 8 - 10 years. This is a very low lifespan and I would like to think that my crossbreed might live longer and be healthier. What are your thoughts?

Public Comments

1. Healthier than what? A poorly bred purebred, possibly. But compared to a properly bred purebred from champion parents, genetically your dog would be inferior. There is a "theory" about mutts being healthier than purebreds, however, it remains to date unproven. Just enjoy the time with your dog. Kayla: We don't like mixed dogs? No we don't like people breeding mixed dogs. Ok um how the hell is a mutt healthier than a champion purebred? If you have dog A with crap genetics and mix her with dog B with crap genetics, how on God's green earth can you say that the pups those two produce be healthier than a litter of purebreds from CHAMPION parents. FYI there are morons who do breed purebreds with crap genetics, get your facts straight. DOG A (heart problems) X DOG B (heart problems) + X (I throw X into the equation to prove that there must be a additional source to cause the heart problems from this litter to magically disappear) = Litter AB (heart disease).
2. Matter of fact, I was watching something on TV just last week about this. I wish I could remember what it was. Anyway, breeders who want a certain type of dog with a certain color and temperament, and even eye color, have become so savvy in breeding that they can get pretty much whatever they want. The problem with that is you are breeding out the strengths that the dog inherently would have had if you had left it alone. It's a common truth that mutts almost always have better temperaments and health than do purebred dogs, and I have seen a mutt live 15 years or more. The mix of breeds in a mutt brings the strengths of all those breeds together. That is as it should be, IMHO.
3. It is very proven that mixed breeds live longer. Most people here are going to say that it's not true just because they don't like mixed breeds. You can read it or search anywhere you want, it will always say that mixed breeds are not only healthier, but smarter too. Scientist have researched it, and there is like, a gene or something that makes this happen.
4. No not really. Especially of the 2 dogs that are crossbred share the same genetic problems. I you crossbreed two breeds that don't share a particular genetic problem then the chances of offspring having that particular problem are lower obviously but if you cross 2 untested dogs of a breeds that both have the problem then you have as great a chance of them having the problem as you would breeding 2 untested purebreds of the same breed and a much greater chance than if you had bred two tested and cleared purebreds of the same breed. Edit: despite what Kayla says I don't have a problem with mixed breeds at all I have had wonderful dogs both mixed breed and purebred. Its not a matter of liking or not liking its just a matter of simple genetics. As you said both breeds have serious health issues many of which they likely share so your dog has just as much likelihood of having one of these health issues as a poorly breed purebred of either breed (except on the off chance this was a whoops litter where both parents were fully heath tested and clear of the problems)
5. To those of you who say that their is a "scientific study" showing mixed breeds are healthier... I'd love to see the study. No there is no evidence of the dogs being more healthy or living longer.
6. From what I have read concerning pure breeds and mongrels, pure bred dogs will have any deficiency passed on through the breeding process. Mongrels, or cross breeds, will have these deficiencies reduced or eliminated. I have had only one pure breed of all my dogs, but he was poisoned by a neighbor who didn't like dogs. Rex was only four years old at the time, so I don't know how long he would have lived or any health issues.
7. Very untrue. When a responsible breeder breeds, they do all the health testing on the prospective parents to make sure that they are breeding for health and longevity. Mixed breed dogs have no history behind them so you would never know if either one or both parents dropped dead of cardio, for example, at the age of two. Don't get me wrong. This is not to say that pure breed dogs are healthier; that would depend on the what health testing, if any, is done by the breeder. A BYB does not do health testing because they want to put money in their pocket, not dish it out for health tests.
8. I think the big problem is no one knows the 'pedigree' of the mutt. They could be inbred, brother to sister. The parents could both have numerous genetic health problems. So, your mutt could be healthy or could have tons of health problems. There is no way to know....you take your chances.
9. Yes and no. There is a thing called hybrid vitality that many really mixed up pups tend to possess. These are those dogs that people don't know what the heck they are and tend to keep on going forever. My dad had an old mystery mutt who lived to 19 with few problems. A friend of mine had a Heinz 57 who lived to 17 with no problems at all until a surprise seizure took her. We have a little mixed up mongrel right now my husband and I joke will out live us all. The reason for this as dog breeds interbreed with each other, their genes begin to revert back to the original dog, a much healthier species than these things humans have created. Because of the way breeders have had to make many pure bred dogs and because of the intense amount of inbreeding that unfortunately still goes on, most pure-breeds still have problems within the breed. In crosses between two breeds, it really comes down to dominate versus recessive traits. The Dogue De Bordeaus or French Mastiff gets many of its problems because of its short and stocky build. Its body simply wears out because of it's bone structure. If your dog didn't inherit this, it will probably have a healthier life. Rotts are pretty hardy, just watch his hips and keep an eye out for cancer. I would simply cherish every moment you have with your dog and never take stock in breed life expectancies. If you do everything you can to ensure that your dog lives a healthy life. Good, high quality dog food, lots of exercise, and lots of love. Just like with people, the healthier the life the longer the life.