When looking through an animal shelter for a dog, the choices are endless. Each county usually has a shelter and if you search online or call around, you can usually let them know to keep an eye open for a particular dog that you are looking for. If you are not really fussy about the type of dog you want, choosing a mixed-breed dog could easily turn out to be one of the best decisions you have ever made! Mixed breed dogs are great for so many reasons.

1. Mixed breeds are totally unique in appearance. Since you are crossing characteristics, no two dogs will look exactly alike. Having a mixed-breed puppy is exciting because you just don’t know what he’ll end up looking like when he grows up!
2. Mixed breeds are generally healthier than purebreds. They get genetics and characteristics from all of their ancestors and have not been bred for anything in particular. Lots of purebred dogs have health problems because of their genetics and traits being bred in or out.
3. Mixed breeds tend to be mellower and laid back than purebred dogs for the same reasons as previously stated.

When choosing a mixed breed puppy from the animal shelter, you need to be open and flexible. A tiny dog with curly hair could easily grow into a shaggy beast! If you know what breeds the parents are, you will have a much better idea of how your puppy will turn out, but that is still not a guarantee. One of the reasons people choose purebreds is that they can easily gauge the size, health, and temperament of the dog and give the buyer a really solid idea of what to expect. Doesn’t that take the fun out of it though?

If you want a dog for a family pet, a guard dog, and a companion for many years to come, a mixed breed dog is a great choice! He may not win any prizes in the show ring, but that’s a place better left for the purebreds.