Pet shelters are the place to go if you are seriously considering getting a mixed breed dog as a pet. There have been countless debates about whether or not getting a mixed breed is a good decision. It all comes down to preference. However, the sad truth is that preference can be influenced by many factors, one of which is bias and prejudice against mixed race in general. This notion stems from the perception that they are difficult to train because they are moody by nature. This is one of many myths that needs to be busted because it is giving mixed breeds a bad name.

It is important for the public to be educated about these breeds so that they are not viewed as strays or mongrels that are overly aggressive and will attack anyone on a whim. It should be noted that there are different categories for those that are not purebred. Is it so:

Mestizaje: these are dogs born from the crossing of 2 pure breeds.

Mixed Breed – These are dogs with mixed heritage where 1 parent is a purebred.

Mongrel – These are dogs whose heritage is unknown.

Of course, today non-purebred ones are commonly referred to as mixed breeds. It is perhaps the most politically correct term since mestizos have a bad connotation.

Myth 1: They are in poor health in general.

Answer: This is not always the case. They can become healthy dogs and everything will depend on how these dogs are treated by their owners. The good thing is that they can inherit the strong characteristics of their parents, which makes them much better than purebreds.

Myth 2: May be high maintenance due to additional medical costs

Answer: The mestizos can be purchased for less than $80 and this already includes a general check-up and vaccinations. The maintenance cost will be more or less the same if it is a pure breed. And owners aren’t pressured to buy fancy accessories or gourmet dog food for their dogs, unlike their hot-headed counterparts. So if you include them in the equation, the maintenance cost will be a little lower.

Myth 3:they are difficult to train

Answer: This is not really the case. In fact, they are highly trainable and any behavioral issues can be resolved with proper dog training.

Myth 4:They are either too aggressive or too shy.

Answer: This will depend on the heredity of the breed. You can exhibit the bad traits of the father, however not EVERYONE is on the extreme side.

These are just a few of the well-known myths about mixed breeds that make it hard for people to understand that mongrels can make amazing pets.