Should I Get A Purebred Dog Or Mixed Retriever?

Before purchasing a retriever, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself. Probably one of the most important is whether or not you are going to get a purebred dog or a mixed breed retriever. A purebred dog by definition is one where the lineage of the mother and father are all of the same breed of dog. For example, a purebred Labrador retriever will have a labrador as a mother and father, and only labradors all the way back in the paperwork.

A mixed retriever is generally going to have a retriever as one parent and something else as the other. When the word "mixed" is used, there are a couple of options. One, retriever mother, father unknown. Secondly, a few breeds, but the dominant gene in appearance is the retriever. Some dog owners will take the name of each breed of the parent and give the pups a new name. Examples of this are "goldendoodles" who are golden retrievers mixed with poodles, and "labradoodles" who are labradors crossed with poodles.

There can be advantages and disadvantages to either option.

Purebred dogs offer their owners a dog whose appearance and personality can be pretty well determined. Coat colors within breeds can sometimes be one of the only choices for the buyer apart from gender. Buyers of purebred dogs tend to want the safety of knowing their dog's personality and traits before hand. For example, many people get themselves a labrador because they are looking for the specific personality and traits that they admire.

There are many people who claim that purebred dogs can be less healthy than a mixed breed. Research has shown that this is not always true. A responsible breeder will only breed dogs that have been checked and cleared of genetic susceptibility. If you are planning on getting a purebred retriever you should check that the breeder has had both the parents cleared for hip dysplasia and has all the proper paperwork to prove it.

Purebred dogs trend to cost more than their mixed breed cousins. However, with specific mixes, this is not always the case. Labradoodles are now an extremely costly puppy to purchase.

Mixed retrievers can make fantastic pets. Some breeds are mixed together to improve personalities, or in the case of the poodle, for its non allergenic coat. A mixed retriever will generally have the appearance of the dominant breed. Some mixed breeds will have the personality of the dominant gene and others may display a mix. Purchasing a mixed retriever as an adult is one way of ascertaining the dog's personality. Many retriever breeds share fairly similar personality traits, so you may well end up with the perfect retriever at less cost.

Mixed retrievers do not come with a guarantee for better health. Several of the health problems faced by retriever breeds are encountered by many other dog breeds as well. For example there are some breeds of dogs who have an even higher incidence of hip dysplasia than the retriever. Indiscriminate breeding between these dogs could easily produce a dog with a worse genetic history.

Mixed retrievers are always going to be a little more unique than their purebred cousins. Their appearances could be more individual, and there is always going to be the mystery of the personality. Many people prefer a dog that is a little different, and for these people a mixed breed retriever could be the ideal solution.