Mongrel or Pedigree?

[Kels]

We are wondering about getting a mongrel or a pedigree dog. Reason is because pure breds can be quite costly. I really want a pedigree, but could anyone tell me the ups and downs of both choices? :204

Thanx =) paw

[suzysues]

I owned 2 Cross breeds before I got Abbey. They were fantastic!! No trouble at all and cheap to run. I think they are hardier. I worry all the time about Abbey, but I am older now so I worry more anyway. ;) I have more issues with Abbey that I had with my x breeds, but she is very easy to train as she is so intelligent. But that can make it harder unless you are prepared to work with them. The more inteeligent they are the more you have to stop them getting bored. My X breeds used to chew everything. Abbey never has. They used to run off & not come back, Abbey comes back (eventualy) but this may be due to training. I have enjoyed both and would be happy with either now. Sorry I can't help. I think all dogs are great! :029

[Kels]

Does Abbey have more health problems than with your x breeds? And if so, were they serious? :dogbark And were both her parents hip and eye tested with good results? Where did you get your X breeds? :woofpup

Thanx =) :050

[Goldenglittergirl]

kels,

If your thinking of a dog why not adopt a shelter or rescue dog? Shelters are so full of loving dogs that need homes! ;)

[allie,hannah,brinkleygold]

Kels- what state are you from? we are in texas and have a female Golden for adoption, she is gorgeous!! :p

[angenbear]

If you can't afford a pedigree, then perhaps you should try a rescue/shelter. Most mongrels/mixes are great, just spend time and observe how they are.

[Kels]

Allie etc- I live on an island quite far from the USA called New Zealand :094

Kels paw

[goodtim'n]

KELS:
What is the price of a well-bred Goldenin New Zealand?

[Kels]

goodtim'n

One breeder said that her pups would be around $750. Not USA dollars of course. :050

Kels=) paw

[suzysues]

Does Abbey have more health problems than with your x breeds? And if so, were they serious? And were both her parents hip and eye tested with good results? Where did you get your X breeds?

Abbey is onlu 11 months old, so its too early to know if her health will be a problem. She came from a puppy farm (mill) so she was very sick when we first got her and I doubt that her parents were hip and eye tested. :mad: She is now bouncing with health. But as for the future, we will have to keep our fingers crossed. If you look in "Seniors and Longevity Forum" there is a data base, whch I found very interesting. Going by that, it seems to me that Goldens have the same life span ect as my X Breeds. But I am still learning about Goldens.

Both my X breeds were very healthy all there life. They both had arthritus when they were older, but medication helped that. My X Lab had a few very mild seisures, but never had medication as they weren't severe enough. He lived till he was 15. My Rough Collie X had pancreitus, but that was controled by diet, she was a fussy eater as she was small, so that helped her tummy too. Apart from that she was great untill she died of acute Pancreitus at nearly 17. She was only sick for the last week of her life.

[Shannon]

I grew up with a mixed breed (golden and cocker, we think, he was adopted) and he is STILL very hearty. He had mild seizures as a pup but hasn't had one in more than 10 years. He's 17 and not showing any signs of slowing down, although his eyes aren't what they used to be. Aside from a puppy incident where he got deathly ill from eating a neighbor's flowers, he's never had any health problems. However, we think he may have been abused, because he was hand-shy at first (would shrink from you if you put your hand out) and we did have some aggression problems. But I know a ton of mixes that are absolute sweeties. When I was little we had what the humane society claimed as a cockapoo, but she was HUGE and looked more like an English sheepdog (one day a lady was driving by and pulled over, begging to buy our "sheepdog," since she was so beautiful). Don't know what breeds she really was, but she was an angel. She was my brother's dog, and he'll still get teary if he talks about her. She lived to be 18, and was never, ever sick until the day she died. RIP Daisy. She was a sweet pea.

When I got a dog, I wanted to get a purebred and start from scratch, so to speak. I now have a golden and I do worry that she'll have more health problems. We'll just have to wait and see!

[ChicagoCanine]

We are wondering about getting a mongrel or a pedigree dog. Reason is because pure breds can be quite costly.



If the expense is the problem, why not get a rescued Golden? There are many many Goldens out there who desperately need homes! Most areas have breed rescue groups and many of these are overloaded with dogs looking for homes. If you don't have a breed rescue in your area, check local shelters and rescue groups.