The downside of owning a Mixed Breed (Mongrel)

I have been harping about the advantages of owning a mixed breed (or mongrel) but that doesn't mean it's all bed of roses. There will always be some disadvantages especially if you end up with a dog that does not fully mesh with the family. It happens in some cases but owners and their families can usually meet halfway to make the relationship work.

Perhaps the main reason why a lot of would-be dog owners are put off by mixed breeds is the unknown heritage of the dogs. There are those with apparent features from a certain breed, but it still does not guarantee that the dogs will act or behave in the same manner. As such, taking care of the mongrels will be a hit and miss or trial by error. The thing to remember is you can make it work with understanding and a whole lot of patience.

The Downside

1. Unlike purebreds, mongrels or mixed breeds do not readily show their true nature; that is, it's very difficult for the owners to determine their size, color, coat type, characteristics, and temperament, among others.
2. While it's very easy to acquire mixed breeds because they are cheaper, the maintenance cost will more or less be the same with that of purebreds. Let's face it, regardless of breed, dogs need to undergo regular check ups, eat nutritious food, take a bath, and get enough exercise. The efforts and costs will be the same, so others would prefer a purebred instead of some mongrel with questionable heritage.
3. Mixed breeds are a little more tough to train for certain functions. This can be true in certain cases. As it's difficult to predict the behavior pattern and characteristics of a mixed breed (since we don't know which of the traits of the parents will become more apparent), training the dogs for specific can be a little tricky. Unlike purebreds, mixed breeds are not bred with a specific function in mind.
4. Given the uncertainty surrounding the heritage of the mongrel, the physical defects or medical conditions may only become apparent later on in life. They can potentially inherit the diseases that their parents have (or may be more susceptible to getting such diseases).

The point of this article is that mixed breeds are not for everyone, but it doesn't mean that they should be completely ignored. It's important to weigh the pros and cons of owning a mixed breed. The decision will primarily depend on the function you want the dog to fulfill as part of the family. Those who do not like mixed breeds may be looking at the extreme and rare cases wherein mongrels are depicted as a bane to society. In general, mixed breeds can be great pets, it just takes a little more effort to train them.