Dear Designs: In a word – no. It’s not true that mixed breed dogs are healthier or live longer than purebreds. And that is exactly what puggles and the like are – mixed breeds. It saddens me to see these “breeders” taking advantage of an unsuspecting public by claiming their dogs are something that they are not … a purebred with a health guarantee that is worthy of such a price tag.

Reputable breeders of recognized breeds have spent a lifetime bettering their breed through selective breeding, health screening for problems known in their breed and temperament testing. Breeders of puggles (does anybody even know what a puggles is? It’s a cross between a Pug and a Beagle) have no road map for genetic soundness or physical health.

Some will argue that these dogs are healthier because of something called “hybrid vigor” which is an assumption that mixing two diverse gene pools will not double up on any of the bad recessive traits in some breeds that may cause health issues. This theory has never been proven. While many breeds started out as crosses, it took multiple generations before they were allowed to wear that “purebred” moniker.

Purebred Dogs

To better understand what it takes to be a “pure breed” one can look to the requirements for recognition from the American Kennel Club. For example, the Bullmastiff started its road to “breedom” as the cross breeding of Mastiffs with Bulldogs. In essence, all breeds where created by blending gene pools to create a dog which humans needed to do a specific job from hunting to herding to just being a great companion.

To stand on its own a breed must demonstrate that it has recognizable breed type for many decades, sometimes centuries. How is this accomplished? First, a breed must have a detailed written history. This usually comes about through a club of fellow enthusiasts who document the breed through pedigrees, ownership and breeding records. In addition, a written standard is developed. A breed develops to the point of being recognizable and then applies to a kennel club for recognition.

Lisa’s Pick of the Litter

Meet an internationally renowned panel of authors this Saturday, February 12, at the Dog Writers Association of America Book Signing from 10 am to 8 pm in the Thompson Room at the Southgate Hotel, 371 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY.                  

– Eve Adamson (Iowa City, IA); “Simple Guide to Grooming Your Dog,” “Guide to Owning A Bulldog,” “Complete Idiot’s Guide to Pet Psychic Communication,” “Your Outta Control Adopted Dog.”

– Darlene Arden (Framingham, MA); “The Irrepressible Toy Dog,” “The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventative Care for Dogs,” “Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can’t Get Unless You’re A Dog.”

– Louise Cole; “An Eye For A Dog-Illustrated Guide to Judging Purebred Dogs.”

– Caroline Coile, PhD (Live Oak, FL); “How Smart is Your Dog,” “Show Me.”

– Pam Dennison (Blairstown, NJ); “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Positive Dog Training,” “Bringing Light to Shadow: A Dog Trainer’s Diary.”

– Deb Eldredge, DVM (Vernon, NY); “Pills For Pets.”

– Amy Fernandez (Forest Hills, NY); “Dog Breeding As A Fine Art.”

– Denise Flaim (Sea Cliff, NY); “The Holistic Dog Book: Canine Care for the Twenty-first century.”

– Cheryl Smith (Port Angeles, WA); “The Rosetta Bone,” “Quick Clicks,” “The Trick is in the Training,” “Dog Friendly Gardens, Garden Friendly Dogs,” “The Absolute Beginners Guide to Showing Your Dog.”

– Kim Thornton (Lake Forest, CA); “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Beagles,” “Your Healthy Cat.”

– Chris Walkowicz (Sherrard, IL); “Choosing A Dog for Dummies,” “The Perfect Match,” “Successful Dog Breeding.”

For more information call (212) 320-8017.

Lisa Peterson, a long-time breeder of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the Club Communications Manager at the American Kennel Club. Contact her at ask@lisa-peterson.com or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.