Seeler
Well-Known Member
Not all pure breeds are over-bred sissies.
And not all mutts are easy-going, hardy, companions.
But with a pure-breed you know what you are getting. Our labrador retriever was 'field stock', not for show. She was a bit small for the breed standard (around 65 pounds), and did not have the big head of s show dog. But she had the temperment, laid back, friendly, reliable, intelligent, eager to please. I seldom had to put a leash on her once she learned to heel. She stayed on our property without being tied. Didn't get on the furniture and only entered the livingroom when invited, waited to be told and for the cat to have a nibble before she touched her food. Then she gulped her food. She would eat anything - stems of broccoli were her favourites. She shed all year round - long guard hairs and a surprising amount of fluffy undercoat. And she was high energy - long walks, swimming, running - you couldn't wear her out. A perfect dog - for us.
Chemgal is right about cross-breeding. You don't always get the best characteristics of both breeds. And as some crosses become popular they are sometimes over bred. If considering one, try to get to know the parents.
And mutts - we were lucky with our granddog. She was a foundling, dropped off as a very young puppy at the side of the road (in winter). She looks something like a golden retriever, but considerably smaller. We're thinking perhaps a fair amount of Nova Scotia Duck Troller. She absolutely loves swimming. She is high energy - and she sheds like crazy. But she is beautiful, friendly, good with kids (grandson and his friends), and now that she is past pupppyhood she has settled down somewhat and is fairly obedient. But without knowing her parents - who's to know about things like how big a puppy will grow, or what health problems they might have. She's already had hip surgery. (unfortunately when our daughter's marriage broke up, the dog stayed with her ex, to be there for the kids who spend half-time with him.
And not all mutts are easy-going, hardy, companions.
But with a pure-breed you know what you are getting. Our labrador retriever was 'field stock', not for show. She was a bit small for the breed standard (around 65 pounds), and did not have the big head of s show dog. But she had the temperment, laid back, friendly, reliable, intelligent, eager to please. I seldom had to put a leash on her once she learned to heel. She stayed on our property without being tied. Didn't get on the furniture and only entered the livingroom when invited, waited to be told and for the cat to have a nibble before she touched her food. Then she gulped her food. She would eat anything - stems of broccoli were her favourites. She shed all year round - long guard hairs and a surprising amount of fluffy undercoat. And she was high energy - long walks, swimming, running - you couldn't wear her out. A perfect dog - for us.
Chemgal is right about cross-breeding. You don't always get the best characteristics of both breeds. And as some crosses become popular they are sometimes over bred. If considering one, try to get to know the parents.
And mutts - we were lucky with our granddog. She was a foundling, dropped off as a very young puppy at the side of the road (in winter). She looks something like a golden retriever, but considerably smaller. We're thinking perhaps a fair amount of Nova Scotia Duck Troller. She absolutely loves swimming. She is high energy - and she sheds like crazy. But she is beautiful, friendly, good with kids (grandson and his friends), and now that she is past pupppyhood she has settled down somewhat and is fairly obedient. But without knowing her parents - who's to know about things like how big a puppy will grow, or what health problems they might have. She's already had hip surgery. (unfortunately when our daughter's marriage broke up, the dog stayed with her ex, to be there for the kids who spend half-time with him.
