Cross Breeds

Why is it that cross breeds are more healthy?

I know it would not be healthy if you crossed a basset hound with a dachshund(because of the back problems) but why would a pug cross cocker spaniel be more healthy(that's my dog). Thank you My Cocker cross pug looks more like a pug and has a longer snout so this eliminates the problems pug gets with there breathing.

Public Comments

1. No way to guaranty a mix would be healthier than a decently bred pedigree dog. Same as a mix can inherit the good genes of both parents, it can also inherit all the bad genes - so you take your chances. That "cross breed vigor" is a myth, makes no sense at all. A mix is always random.
2. No they aren't, because there is a wider gene pool (and who knows what the dog will get) and only backyard breeders/puppy mills breed mutts, so they would be poorly bred as well (no genetic testing/health clearances, sometimes not even basic wellness exams for puppy mills). EDIT: Great, he has a longer snout and has a better time breathing. But, is that the only thing you should look at? Anyway, because he has Cocker in him, I would not call him a Pug. If you adopted, good job! If you bought him...not so good.
3. They would not be this is a lie propagated by BYB and puppy mills. Mutts are only as healthy as their parents and as BYB and puppy mills don't do health checks on parents than they are actually less healthy than a tested purebred dog.
4. i don't believe they are. the argument is pure breds are inbreed. but that is not by responsible breeders but by byb i have seen plenty of mutts that were not healthy as they were bred without generic testing, so the pups have the health problems from both parents.
5. Certain breeds have a tendency for genetic disorders such as hip dysplasia or corneal dystrophy. Cross-breeding dogs can help breed out these defects making a stronger, healthier dog. This is why muts are said to be the healthiest dogs.
6. Thats a MYTH cross breeds are not more healthier, both mutts and purebred dogs can be unhealthy. Both can have diseases, however, muts generally do not have many of the genetic diseases common in purebred lines. getting a purebred from a reputable breeder and has been bred from healthy lines will reduce the chances of genetic problems.
7. It is in the genes (dna). I pure bred say Poodle is more likely to have flaws or health problems because they are bred so pure. If you mix the genes and make a Bichpoo or Maltepoo the genes are not as weak. This is especially true for Champion Lined puppies. The purer they are ( more show quality or lesser of the flaws according to breed standard). The more chance they will have a heart murmur , liver shunt, or other sickness. The dna chains kinda like break from having too much of the same traits. So basically a pure bred will come up with something in their life. Most don't until they get old 13-15yrs though.
8. You don't even make any sense. Think about it.....even if you breed a Basset to a Basset, or a Dachshund to a Dachshund, there can still be back problems, so of course there could be with a mix as well. Who says if you breed a Pug to a Cocker, it will be healthier? Nobody but you! Your logic is flawed. You get genetically healthier dogs when you selectively breed and genetically test for health issues that run in that BREED, before you breed them, not mix up a bunch of junk of unknown health issues. Healthy at age 2 could be a disaster at age 3. ALL dogs are no better than their breeder.
9. "why would a pug cross cocker spaniel be more healthy" It wouldn't be. Reputable breeders (people who breed for health, temperament, and quality) do not mix breed dogs. Ever. Only irresponsible BYBers do that, usually for profit or for "fun". Most do no test for genetic diseases and most own below-par low quality animals. When crossing two breeds you get two sets of genes from which pups can inherit traits - there is no guarantee WHICH traits will be inherited (could be good, bad, or both) and/or how they will mix together. It's entirely possible for a Pug/Cocker cross to be stuck with the Pug's respiratory issues and the Cocker's medium to high energy. In addition the animals being bred to produce this mix will not be quality to being with (quality dogs are sold by reputable breeders and pets are put on contracts - breeding animals would be sold ONLy to those responsible enough to not mix breed) so genetic diseases are very likely to be passed to offspring. Plus these animals will already have issues from being poorly bred. No such thing as "hybrid vigor". Mutts are not "healthier" than purebreds.
10. They arent. Its a myth. It comes from people irresponsibly breeding dogs that are not fit to be bred which means they inherit all sorts of health problems. Some mutts are healthier because they combine the best elements of each breed. Some combine the worst. There is no telling with cross breeds whether they will be healthier or not, it depends which traits they inherit and there is no way of predicting that. A pug/cocker spaniel could inherit the pugs tendancy for eye problems and the spaniels tendancy for eye problems leading to a very unhealthy dog since both breeds are prone to cataracts and other eye issues. Or you could be very lucky and end up with a cross breed that was bred from two genetically healthy parents and would not have eye problems and the cocker spaniel in it would make breathing problems less likely while the pug genes would make hip dysplasia less likely. It could swing either way. A well bred pure breed is no more prone to health problems than a crossbreed.
11. Mutts are more healthy than pure bred dogs because they're not being inbred with the same genetic defects. So when the pug and spaniel mated, the strongest genetic material from both dogs are combined and are used for the formation of the puppies. Even a basset hound/dach. cross will be more healthy than a pure bred basset or a pure bred dach.
12. you cant say that for sure but in the example of my dog she is healthier because she has Akita (Japanese fighting dog" they can be quit hostile and aggressive but prefer to live outside but she is mixed with a German shepherd and this narrows down on the aggression and they prefer to live inside and she is also crossed with an Alaskan malamute which gets rid of the hip problems of the German shepherd and makes the dog a overall great companion
13. Mutts in general are not more healthy 1. not all pugs have breathing problems 2. Even if your dog may not suffer from breathing problems that does NOT mean your dog can't/won't develop issues from either breed. Both can have hip or eye issues
14. they are not a pug mixed with cocker spaniel can still have all the same problems seen in pugs AND cockers. mixing breeds doesnt cancel out health problems.. it just gives a wider range of health issues that can be found.
15. Would you like to argue this question with these people I know? 1) 2 mixed rescues that have needed patella surgery? 2) 1 mix rescue that has chronic allergies to food, grass, pollens and carpet? 3) 1 mix rescue with epilepsy? These are a few people I personally know.....