What’s the Difference Between a Purebred Dog and a Mixed Breed?

• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

The debate about which is better—a purebred dog or a mix—is old. It’s one of the first questions that anyone thinking about getting a dog confronts. Some argue that mixed breeds are healthier, while others say purebred dogs are more trainable, with more predictable temperaments. Unsurprisingly, the truth is a little more complicated.

To help you understand which dog might be best for you, we’ve consulted Dr. Bricks Coggin, a veterinarian who specializes in the designer dogs known as Goldendoodles. We’ve also talked with Dr. Iram Gladan, a veterinarian and PhD researcher who is an expert in dog breeds. Together, they break down the pros and cons of a purebred dog versus a mix.

What Makes a Dog Purebred?

According to Dr. Coggin and Dr. Gladan, purebred dogs have known ancestry within a specific breed going back several generations. Kennel clubs and breed registries define the breed standards for purebreds. These clubs include:

• The American Kennel Club
• The United Kennel Club
• The Federation Cynologique Internationale

The standards set by these clubs describe the breed features, appearance, and tendencies a breed should have to maintain consistency and predictability.

Why does consistency matter? Dr. Gladan explains that historically, various dog breeds were considered meaningful due to their roles in society. They were bred for a specific purposes, and specific traits made them suitable for herding, hunting, guarding, or companionship.

For example, Border Collies were bred for intelligence, agility, and their ability to assist with managing livestock. Labrador Retrievers have a keen sense of smell to help retrieve game from the water. And Mastiffs were bred for their protective instincts and imposing stature. These specialized traits were critical for the livelihoods and safety of their human companions.

Today, licensed breeders continue the pattern, carefully breeding dogs to bring out the qualities defined by kennel clubs and breed registries.

Pros and Cons of Purebred Dogs

There are a lot of myths about purebred dogs. In general, here’s what you can expect:

• A risk of health issues that’s no higher than that of mixed breeds if you go to a responsible breeder
• A more predictable appearance and size
• Some more predictable aspects of temperament, particularly breed tendencies

And here’s what you can’t count on:

• A dog without health issues
• A predictable personality

Health and longevity

One of the most common questions pet parents have is whether having a purebred dog increases the chances of health issues. The short answer is no—not if the breeder is responsible.

According to Dr. Coggin, human breeding practices play a huge role in the health of a purebred, which is why it is so important to work with a responsible licensed breeder. Responsible breeders who focus on health and genetic diversity can breed purebred dogs with a low risk of health issues. Breeders who do not prioritize genetic diversity can increase the chances of disorders such as hip dysplasia, heart problems, or breathing problems, because the dog parents are too closely related.

Unfortunately, when dog breeders emphasize physical traits (such as size or face structure) over health and longevity, they can create dogs with less genetic diversity who are more prone to health issues.

Temperament

Another common question is whether purebred dogs have more predictable temperaments. Dr. Coggin emphasizes that the most important factors in a dog’s temperament are their socialization, training, and environment—not their DNA.

That said, a dog’s breed can sometimes give pet parents insight into likely temperaments. For example, herding breeds tend to be intelligent and energetic, while retrievers love to play fetch. However, these characteristics do not guarantee temperament, because every dog is an individual. That’s why you might meet a laidback Border Collie or a high-strung Labrador.

Appearance and size

When it comes to appearance and size, having a purebred can absolutely help prospective pet parents predict certain aspects about their dog. Dr. Gladan says that because purebred dogs are bred to fit a certain physical standard, you can be reasonably confident about what they will look like as an adult and how big they will be. That can help you plan for how to meet their grooming and exercise needs.

Training needs

Having a purebred dog doesn’t guarantee you’ll have an easier time of training than you would with a mixed breed. It might, however, help you to predict what skills you should emphasize, or the activities where your dog might excel. For example, dogs bred with a strong hunting instinct may be easy to train in nosework and “find it” games. And they’re likely to need help repressing those instincts in situations where hunting isn’t appropriate, like cat chasing.

Some breeds tend to be highly trainable and easy to teach precisely because they were bred for working purposes. But keep in mind that very trainable working breeds often have equally high exercise requirements and prepare for the trade-off.

Expense

If you’ve been researching a purebred dog or puppy, you’ve no doubt discovered that buying from a breeder can be extraordinarily expensive. According to Dr. Gladan, a lot of factors contribute to this cost. If you are working with a responsible breeder, they have spent a lot of time, effort, and money on breeding practices. This includes health checks, genetic testing, and the good care of puppies and their parents.

In many cases, breeders can charge more because there is a high demand for certain breeds and relatively few puppies available. This dynamic, unfortunately, can provide opportunities for irresponsible breeding that does not prioritize dog health or genetic diversity. It’s important as a prospective buyer to choose a breeder carefully.

What Counts as a “Mixed Breed” Dog?

A mixed breed dog is a dog that has two or more different breeds in their lineage. Sometimes it’s clear what one or more of these breeds are, especially if the dog has physical characteristics of a specific breed. For example, a “Corgi mix” would have several distinctive Corgi features, like a long body and a dense coat. Other times, a mixed breed’s ancestry isn’t clear at all. These pups are popularly referred to as “Heinz 57s” or “bitzers” (as in “bits of this, bits of that”).

A “designer dog” is a mixed breed dog where the breeder intentionally blended two specific breeds for their traits. Examples include “Labradoodles” and “Puggles.” These hybrid dogs can inherit different characteristics from either parent. According to Dr. Gladan, designer dogs commonly get the best of both parents, such as non-shedding coats. But because these are new combinations, sometimes the physical traits can be unpredictable. It is important to note that designer dogs can still inherit health problems if either parent lacks genetic diversity.

Pros and Cons of Mixed Breed Dogs

There are a lot of myths about mixed breed dogs. In general, here’s what you can expect:

• Fewer inherited health disorders
• Behavior based on socialization and history

And here’s what you can’t count on:

• A dog without health issues
• Adult size and appearance
• A predictable personality

Health and longevity

Because mixed breed dogs are more likely to have greater genetic diversity, they can experience fewer health issues that are caused by inherited disorders. This is not, however, a guarantee that your mixed breed dog will be healthier than a purebred. They can still inherit some health issues from either parent.

Additionally, if your mixed breed is a rescue, their health can be influenced by the environment they came from. That includes things like early and consistent healthcare and quality of food.

Temperament

A dog’s socialization, training, and environment are the best predictors of temperament. Oftentimes, but not always, mixed breed dogs come from shelters or rescues and can have complex histories. That doesn’t mean they’re likely to be aggressive or reactive. But it’s possible they might require special care and attention to help them grow into their unique personalities. For example, a dog who dealt with food scarcity might need specific training so they don’t guard their resources in their new home.

Understanding your dog’s past will help you to create the best environment for them. Owners of mixed breed dogs know just how special and unique their personalities can be.

Appearance and size

Your mixed breed’s adult appearance and size can be anyone’s guess, especially if they have more than two breed lineages. If you know your puppy’s parents, you can estimate that their size will be somewhere in between the parents. If you don’t, shelters and vets can provide estimates based on their paw size, age, and rate of growth.

Do you want a better idea of how big your puppy will grow and what they will look like? You can opt to pay for a dog DNA test, which will give you a breakdown by percentage of what breeds make up your dog. This will give you some clues as to what they might look like as an adult. But the more breeds that make up your dog, the less you will be able to predict physical characteristics.

Training

Even though you may not know all of the breeds that make up your mix, that doesn’t mean that they will be less trainable than a dog with a known lineage. Many mixed breed dogs are incredibly intelligent and benefit from the multitude of characteristics in their breeding. These dogs can be highly trainable, athletic, and eager to please. They might be suited not only to learning basic manners, but also to learning intricate tasks and commands. In fact, many of the top agility dogs are mixed breeds!

And if you have a mix who had a rough start, a training regimen can be vital to creating a bond and overcoming any undesirable habits.

Which Is Right for You?

There are pros to both purebred and mixed dogs. Choosing the one that is right for you will depend on several factors. Some prospective parents might want a purebred because they need certain qualities, such as size or ability. This can be important if pet parents plan to train their dog for a specific task.

Some prospective dog parents may opt for a purebred because they want a dog that is “kid-safe” or “family-friendly”. However, in most cases, a dog’s socialization, training, and environment are what make it suitable for families, and not DNA.

Cost can also be a factor. While raising a purebred or mixed breed puppy will incur similar costs, it can be very expensive to purchase a purebred dog from a responsible breeder. Adopting a dog of mixed lineage from a shelter or rescue, in contrast, can be much more affordable.

At the end of the day, the right choice for you is the one that meets your needs and meets the dog’s needs. All dogs will need the right type of socialization and training. Because mixed breed dogs often come from shelters or from a previous owner, you may need to consider the world they came from and how you can provide the right type of stability and reassurance.

Pet parents who might prefer a purebred dog include those who:

• Are looking for a puppy who will grow to a predictable size
• Have their heart set on a particular breed
• Want to foster breed-specific qualities for specific tasks or activities

Pet parents who might prefer a mixed breed dog include those who:

• Want to adopt, not shop at a shelter or rescue
• Are looking to adopt an adult or senior dog
• Like the idea of a dog with a mix of traits
• Want to keep initial spending to a minimum

Further Reading

• Should I Get A Dog? How to Decide Whether You’re Ready
• Should I Get Another Dog? What to Know About Adding to Your Furry Family
• The Cost of Dog Parenthood in 2024
• How to Train Your Dog: Different Training Methods and How They Work
• Male Versus Female Dogs—What’s the Difference, and Which Should You Get?