Humans first domesticated our four-legged best friends over fifteen thousand years ago from gray wolves. Anthropologists believe that these wolf cubs were taken from dens, raised within communities, and eventually selectively bred for various positive traits. Selective breeding continued until there was a wide range of physical and temperament varieties of these adaptable animals. From hunting assistants to lap dogs, there was a breed for every job.
Although many people and organizations believe that selective breeding to develop purebred dogs is wrong, there is a good reason why dog breeding took, and continues to take, place. For example, let’s look at one of the most uniquely developed breeds on Earth – the Lundehund.
The Norwegian Lundehund developed as far back as 1600 AD to hunt puffins, an almost impossible task for their human masters. Lundefugl, or puffins, nest in caves and hollows on the craggy cliffs along the Norwegian coast. To help them navigate these cliffs, Lundehunds have extra, fully functioning toes with complete musculature and joints. On average, instead of the four functioning toes of other breeds, Lundehunds can have over six toes per foot. Additionally, to aid in maneuvering through the tight passages preferred by puffins, Lundehunds are extremely flexible. Their forelegs can stretch backward until they are perpendicular to their bodies, and their necks allow their heads to bend back along their spines. Furthermore, their ears can close over to prevent dirt and contaminants from entering the ear canals, and some Lundehunds even have missing teeth so that more puffins can fit in their mouths without damaging the valuable meat.
Was the Norwegian Lundehund vital to the survival of the rural folks eking out a living on the harsh coasts of Norway? It’s hard to say for certain, but it is difficult to imagine that the care and attention required to breed such a unique set of genetic traits was done on a whim.
Why Do You Want a Purebred Dog?
The difference between purchasing a purebred puppy and a mixed breed is that there are predictable physical and temperament traits in the purebred puppy. Although there are exceptions, if you are able to view a pedigree and generational photographs, along with meeting the parents of the pup, you can be relatively certain of what your dog will be like as an adult. This consistency is attractive on many levels—size, coat type, behavior, health, and temperament are all within moderately known parameters.
The ability to predict traits is highly desirable. For example, what if you have allergies to dogs but really want to share your life with one? Knowing that your dog will be non-shedding and most likely hypoallergenic is vital to your life together. There are also solid arguments for knowing what size your pet will be when they are full-grown. What if you live in an apartment building that only allows dogs up to twenty pounds? Or you don’t want a dog that you can’t lift into the back of your car? Purebred dogs generally are similar in size to their parents, whereas a mixed breed dog can be nearly any size depending on what breeds are in the mix!
Is it vital to know your dog is hypoallergenic or that it is a specific size? Yes. Is it wrong to want a purebred dog? No, not at all.
The Cons of Purebred Dogs
Along with the positive aspects of owning a purebred dog, there are also some drawbacks. The positive hereditary traits are only one side of the coin. There are negative traits that can be passed along as well, and they are often overlooked by excited puppy buyers. Health concerns, aggressive or other unacceptable behaviors, and musculoskeletal or growth issues are all common amongst purebred breeds.
Many of the negative traits are avoidable, and proper health screening of breeding stock by the breeder is necessary to limit these problems in the offspring. Unfortunately, not all breeders are in it for the betterment of the breed and are anything but reputable. Reputable dog breeders not only health-screen the breeding stock but also guarantee their puppies to be free of genetic defects and undesirable behaviors.
What to Avoid When Buying a Purebred Dog
There is nothing wrong with wanting a purebred dog—just be aware of what you are buying. Poor breeding practices not only affect the overall health and well-being of the dog, but they can also contribute to ‘puppy mill’ breeding and pet store puppies.
A puppy mill is a breeding facility that caters to buyers who do not understand or care about how or in what conditions the adult dogs are kept or where their new puppy was born. These dogs are often sold in pet stores without kennel club papers proving their pedigree and are often less-than-ideal examples of their supposed breed. They are frequently sickly or suffer from avoidable genetic conditions that will affect them—and you—their entire lives.
Is it wrong to want a purebred dog? No, wanting a purebred dog makes perfect sense for many people. Just be aware of what you are buying, from whom, and why you want a purebred dog versus a mixed breed.
