Do most Pedigree Dogs have health problems?

I want to get a dog but dont know whether to buy a pedigree or mixed-breed dog? Is it true that most pedigree dogs have health issues? If you own a pedigree dog, have you experienced any breed related problems such as eye, joint, skin, breathing problems…

    Do most Pedigree Dogs have health problems?

    I want to get a dog but dont know whether to buy a pedigree or mixed-breed dog? Is it true that most pedigree dogs have health issues? If you own a pedigree dog, have you experienced any breed related problems such as eye, joint, skin, breathing problems…...
    General Dog Discussions : Do most Pedigree Dogs have health problems?...

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    • Do most Pedigree Dogs have health problems?

      Do most Pedigree Dogs have health problems? General Dog Discussions
      I want to get a dog but dont know whether to buy a pedigree or mixed-breed dog? Is it true that most pedigree dogs have health issues? If you own a pedigree dog, have you experienced any breed related problems such as eye, joint, skin, breathing problems etc.? Otherwise, if you have a mixed-bred dog, does it make a good pet and has it had any health problems? Thanks!

      Do most Pedigree Dogs have health problems?

      Do most Pedigree Dogs have health problems? General Dog Discussions
    • Not all pedigrees have health issues, but it is very common, as inbreeding is still extremely common in pedigree breeding. Most of the time if you look back at a certificate you'll see the same name more than once in the line, which indicates inbreeding - and this is what makes the dogs more prone to problems. Different breeds seem to experience different health issues e.g. GSDs = hips, Westie = skin etc.As a general rule, cross breed dogs do seem to live longer and not have as many hereditary health problems.

    • MOST pedigree dogs do not have health problems until just before they die. Mixed breed dogs seem healthier because common ailments found in purebreds is bred out of the mutt.As long as you feed your dog a high quality food, no junk, and take it to the vet regularly, it'll be fine.

    • Unless you want a pedigree to show in breed championships, then there is no reason why you shouldn't consider a mixed-breed dog. All dogs, whether pedigree or otherwise, make equally loving pets. Why pay the 100s a professional breeder will ask if you just want lovable pet?I can't speak for pedigrees because I don't have one. My dog is a Staffy cross and he has no health problems whatsoever. The thing about pedigrees is that they can pass on hereditary disorders that are common in that breed. This is especially common if they haven't had their genetics tested so if you do buy from a breeder, only find one via your Kennel Club as they only list reputable breeders who breed genetically healthy dogs. Mixed-breeds only have half the chance of having a genetic disorder from a breed because they are only half that breed!

    • I have 9 dogs. 6 are pure bred. 3 are not. (of course). Every one of them has a physical problem. Whether it is related to their breeding or not is anyone's guess.But they are all rescues except for one.So, as far as I am concerned, it can go either way.

    • ANY dog mutt or purebred can inherit genetic diseases. And no, a mutt is not less prone to those sorts of things. Get a dog from a reputable breeder and you should have very little issues with genetic problems.

    • yes most pedigree dogs have health issues because most breeders inbreed. which has the same effect on animals as it does on humans. but i have a lot of pet and i think the mixed ones are the best. And why pay a bunch of money for a dog when you can go to the shelter and get a pure breed or a mixed dog for next to nothing and you SAVE A LIFE!

    • Purebred dogs from reputable breeders that screen prospective parents for major genetic diseases common to their breed are probably the healthiest dogs you can obtain. Poorly bred purebreds that have not been screened can be subject to health problems as can mixed breed dogs. Some breeds are more more subject to health problems than others and need to be screened more thoroughly than other breeds.There is no truth to the myth that mixed breed dogs have "hybrid vigor." They can get sick with any disease passed on by either parent. There is no reason to obtain a mixed breed dog from a breeder with the expectation that it will be healthier than a purebred.

    • The myth that mixed breed dogs are healthier is a lie. In fact, if you mix more breeds into it, you can get just as bad, or worse. Two breeds prone to epilepsy are going to produce dogs *just* as prone to epilepsy, for example. A breed prone to hip dysplasia (sp) mixed with one prone to epilepsy will produce pups prone to BOTH.If you get a purebred dog, you'll want one from a truly excellent breeder. That's the only way to be sure of getting a healthy dog--good breeders health-test, bad ones don't. The good breeders will be striving to give you healthy, happy puppies/dogs, bad breeders are selling something "cute" and are trying to make some money.That said, there are NO good breeders of mutts (good breeders undersand that there are far too many mutts in shelters, and that without a standard, there's nothing to be expected--health, look, or temperament-wise) so if you want a mixed breed dog, please adopt.Personally, I have both. A 6 year old Lab mix who has minor joint issues, and an Aussie/Catahoula mix who is happy, and healthy, with just a couple minor seizures in her lifetime. I also have a Sheltie (purebred, but not well-bred; he's a puppy mill pup) who has minor joint problems and had parvo as a pup, but has since been pretty lucky and healthy.

    • ALL dogs can have health problems - even mixed breeds... period! With purebred dogs, and if you do your research, you should be able to pinpoint the particular health disorder commonly associated with that breed. However, that doesn't mean that your purebred will automatically suffer from the disorder - it just means that there is a know predisposition in the breed to suffer from things such as hip dysplasia, cancer, skin problems etc.BUT, the same is true for mixed breeds since at some point there is a purebred(s) in their background. It's pretty much the luck of the draw since a mixed breed could conceiveable suffer from any or all of the breed problems associated with either of its parents.There is no guarantee - mixed or purebred, some or healthy while others are not.

    • With a pure bred pup you are going to know what you get as far as size and temperament. However, owning several mutts in my live, and also raising/showing Lhasas and being involved in the dog show world for many years - it's been my experience that I've spent a 'bit" more. (and I do mean, a "bit.) money on my show dogs, but it was never an instance of any breed related problems.But it's such a fine line. Unless a breed you are interested in, actually has breed related problems (not all do) I wouldn't hold back on getting a purebred if that's what you want. I've enjoyed and loved my purebreds and mutts equally, although in general I'd say I've taken my mixed to the vet less often, but not by much.

    • Any dog can have health issues.A well bred purebred is the *least likely* to have genetic issues because responsible breeders screen for these types of things prior to breeding.All other purebreds and mixed breed dogs (results of BYBing or strays, etc.) play the genetic crap shoot on breed-related health problems. They may get none, one, some, or all of the problems.Again, though, ANY dog can get sick.I have a purebred lab and a mixed breed (both shelter dogs.) No genetic issues have shown yet in either one (and maybe they never will...who knows.) They are both incredible companions.

    • Any dog can get ill, and have health problems.i have a pedigree chihuahua, and the only visits to vets we make is a yearly booster.she has never been ill, and hopefully won't be.But any dog can get ill.i would suggest pedigree's though as long as you know they have been breed properly.i would have thought mixes make good pets too.xxx

    • As with humans, there is no guarantee that any puppy will remain healthy for the whole of its life. Do your research, find out what diseases are common in whatever breed you are interested in, then buy from a knowledgeable reputable breeder who does all the necessary screening for both parents. That reduces your risk of buying a puppy who will develop problems.My 3 neighbours all have rescue dogs - one has fits, one has crippling HD and one is on medication for life because she is incontinent - all were from irresponsible breeders. Not the dogs' fault but they and their owners are the ones who pay the price.

    • its doesnt matter what type of dog you get (pedgiree, crossbreed or mongrel) they can all have health problems. Dont listen to the bbc's pedigree dogs exposed about pedigree dogs because although there are those problems in the dogs shown it doesnt mean that they will all have that problem and the probability is that the majority of them wont. even in mix breeds you can have that problem. you can try to asure yourself that your dog wont have any health problems by getting your dog from a responsible breeder and checking that they have had their hips and eyes tested (hip dysplasia and cateracts checking) although this will not guarantee that your dog will have a clean bill of health, it is a step in the right direction

    • I have had pedigree dogs all my mostly poodles and i have only had health problems with one. She had ingrowing eye lashes which she need two op to fix and she still some time needs eye drops but apart from that they have all been very health. Any dog can have health problem. I have know people who have had mixed breed dog which have health problems. Thats why pet insurance is so important when you have any kind of dog.

    • It is true that all dogs, especially pure breed dogs have health issues. It does not mean that if you get a pure breed dog it will automatically get health problems. When you read about a breed and it lists the health issues, it just means that that breed has a history of having them.Mixed breed dogs are supposed to have fewer chances of having health problems, unless both breeds that make up the mixed breed have the same gene for a particular health problem. I hope that makes sense.I have pure breed and mixed breed dogs. A couple of my pure breed dogs have had health problems, but I never regretted having them. Also, I'vehad pure breed dogs that never had anything wrong and they lived long happy lives. My mixed breed has not had any health problems, but he's still young, so I just hope nothing happens to him.When you decide to get a dog, don't dwell on the health problems if you read the history about the breed. Just make sure you check out the breeder, to make sure they are reputable and don't have or breed sick dogs. Some breeders just do it for the money and so they don't breed carefully.Choose the dog, pure breed or mixed breed that suits you and that you like the most. Best of luck on getting a dog. Hope I helped.

    • ALL pure "pedigree" dogs has health issues sonomous with their breed. There is no way to be 100% a pure breed dog will have issues or not. However you can go to extra lengths to reduce your risk buy purchasing a puppy from a breeder who has had the parents certified by a specialist. When I say certified I do NOT mean a health certificate, which only means the puppy was fit to sell and has vaccines. When I mean certified, I am referring to OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) which will certify Kidney, Knee, Elbows, Hips, Heart, etc. Also another certification program is Penn Hip (University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program). Each certification is conducted separately and most breeder will NOT have all if any certifications done. The more tests the more expensive the puppy initially, but the less heart break and vet bills later down the line. Whatever breed you are interested in, do the research and ask lots of questions. Breeders will telll you whatever you want to hear, remember they are after your money. You need to be your best resource. And always have your new puppy thoroughly checked by an independent veterinarian immediately after purchase.Mixed breed dogs in general will ALWAYS be a safer bet. They can have health issues too, but remember the broader the gene pool = less probability for resessive genetic issues to arise.Also keep in mind that just because your breeder is top notch, and the parents have every certification available, its still a gamble but the odds are in your favor.Also you can have health problems that are not always breed associated such as my 10 month old 7lbs AKC japanese chin with bilateral hip dysplasia, bilateral luxated patella and open fontenell. I adopted him from a rescue and was fully aware of his health issues. I wanted to save his little life and he has since undergone corrective surgery and is doing exellent with acupuncture and physical hydrotherapy. If you are unable to rescue a baby with issues, then make sure you take all procautions.