today's Puppy Search instalment Pedigree or Mutt - are mongrels healthier A look at the arguments for and against pedigrees, mongrels, and crossbreeds
Re: Which is healthier - pedigree or mutt My Heinz 57 (Collie/Manchester terrier/Lab/who know what else) dog - Boogie who I name myself after - lived to a happy and health 19 years ;D
Re: Which is healthier - pedigree or mutt My previous dogs were both Heinz 57 bitches. I remember the Vet grinning at me and muttering the words "hybrid vigour" when I took Holly to be checked out after I got her from the RSPCA. We really didn't see much of the vet, other than check ups, until Alice developed cancer at 13 and Holly had a massive stroke at 13. I got a Labrador this time because they have a very good reputation with children and I have 3 Grandchildren. However, they are very boisterous when young and you really have to be prepared to work very hard and 'hang in there' over the first year.
Re: Which is healthier - pedigree or mutt My Collie/Springer Spaniel never went to the vet until she was 14 and half years old and was diagnosed with osteo sarcoma, dead 10 days later. My 4 GSPs lived to around about 13 and a half to 14, but had trips to the vet. 1 GSP died aged 8 due to epilepsy. I always thought mongrels were considered more healthy, as only the brightest male had cunning and bravery to find the bitch But then of course that is only half the story!
Re: Which is healthier - pedigree or mutt Wow, that's amazing. My mother's springer/collie cross made it to 17, I thought that was pretty good. But 19!
Re: Which is healthier - pedigree or mutt Our pups' "Uncle Drake" (family dog), is a lab x doberman and is 19 years old. He used to live in Edinburgh and was given a couple of months to live, but that a year ago and, having moved to just outside Bordeaux with its better weather, he runs around like a puppy
Re: Which is healthier - pedigree or mutt One of my JRT, basically a mutt , lived until two days before his 20th birthday , he rarely saw the Vet , and being quite some years ago , was fed table scraps plus tinned food, shock horror Not long before he died of a stroke, he seemed lethargic so a rare Vets trip for him , whereupon our lovely scratched his head after examining Toby and declared that he hadn't a clue how he was still alive due to leaky heart valves and a massive murmur , he was without doubt the strongest willed and healthiest dog I have ever owned x
Re: Which is healthier - pedigree or mutt I had a springer/lab cross who lived till a few weeks short of his 14th birthday, he hardly ever saw the vet until 13.5 when he developed heart problems. A springer/collie cross rescue however had a lifetime of health problems ranging from ear infections, borderline addissons, arthritis and severe heart problems, she died at approx. 11yrs old from a huge fit she never came around from. I've also lost 2 pedigree dogs very young, a GSD aged 7yrs to CDRM and a Weimaraner aged 8yrs to stomach cancer/ MCTs, yet my Golden Retriever lived till 13.5yrs with hardly a days sickness. I've come to think it's really down to pot luck whether you end up with a healthy dog or not.
Re: Which is healthier - pedigree or mutt There has to be an element of luck, definitely. But I think it doesn't hurt to try and swing the odds in your favour
Re: Which is healthier - pedigree or mutt Our first dog, Fergus a lab/collie cross passed away at 17 due to a kidney problem. Other than that he was health throughout his life!
Re: Which is healthier - pedigree or mutt My brother's Jack Russell x Labrador passed away last year aged 15. She was the length of a lab and the height of a Jack Russell and looked ridiculous! Conformation wise it was mental and we always thought she would have back problems. However she never once needed the vet until her last month. I have never seen a dog that could consume so many disgusting things and yet look so well. Quite amazing!
