Sometimes when a family is thinking about getting a family dog, they begin to discuss the qualities of dogs that are a pure breed. For example, an active family might discuss dogs like a Labrador or a German shepherd or even a Jack Russell. While families with a more sedate lifestyle might discuss owning a poodle or a cocker spaniel. The fact is that most mixed breeds - or "mutts," as they are often called - make just as good or better pets than pure-breed dogs.

Nobody knows why, but it seems that the better qualities of a breed are more often passed on to mixed-breed offspring than to purebred offspring, and breed problems are more often passed on to the purebred offspring than to mixed-breed offspring. For example, hip dyslexia is a common problem among purebred German shepherds, but rarely seen in a mixed breed with German shepherd ancestors. And yet, the German shepherd traits of owner loyalty and protectiveness are passed on to the mixed breed.

Think about the possibilities. Theoretically, a mixed breed could have the house pet qualities of a poodle, the protective instincts of a Doberman, and the maternal instincts of a Saint Bernard, all rolled into one four-legged friend. Granted, the mixed breed isn't going to be as "pretty" as a pure breed and you will often be asked, "what breed IS that?" But you will probably have a better family pet than you would have had with any pure breed.

I'm often asked if pure breeds are smarter and more easily trained than mutts, and the answer is an unqualified, "No." Actually, mixed breeds are often easier to train and smarter than pure breeds because often there is a lot of in-breeding in pure-breed lines in order to achieve a particular "look." Go adopt the family dog from your local animal shelter!