Reasons Why Mutts Make Great Pets

July 31st is National Mutt Day. My first dog, Daisy, was a mutt who my dad found in a garbage can. Daisy was a great dog, and fit in perfectly with our family. She lived a long time (13 years) and helped me learned to be social. Mutts, in my opinion make great pets for families. Most of the dogs that never leave shelters are mutts, so it’s always important to highlight the importance of adopting these unique companions. Adopting a mutt helps reduce pet overpopulation, but there are other reasons why they make great additions to the family.

Mutts May Live Longer and Give Your Family Choices

One of the best reasons why you should adopt a mutt is because you will have more options. Mutts are truly unique animals. Purebreds are wonderful choices, however they are all bred to look and act the same. With a mutt you have more options to find the right fit for your family.

Mutts also may be healthier, on average, than purebreds. Purebreds are often the result of inbreeding, which makes them more prone to health problems. Almost all types of purebred dogs have some health problem associated with the breed. Mutts, on the other hand, are less likely to have any genetic defects, which means they may be a longer member of your family.

Mutts Are Great First Pets for Kids

Mutts are especially good for families because they have more mild personalities. Because mutts are a mix of different breeds, they are less likely to have the extreme personality traits than purebred dogs. That means they are less likely to be aggressive, and less shy than purebreds. That makes a mutt a great choice for a family with kids. They won’t be as cranky, which means more pets for you and will be easier to integrate into a house with curious children.

Another great advantage to adopting a mutt is it will be easier to potty train. Most mutts from shelters have had a previous owner, so there may be no training required. You may also choose to adopt an older dog, which is an amazing thing to do to save a life. An older mutt will come ready to enjoy, with proper training and temperament already in tact.

Mutts Help Those In Need

Have you ever noticed that most service dogs used to be purebreds? That is no longer the case. Now mutts and purebreds share helping those in need. Again, their mild temperment wins mutts more chances to help those with medical issues that require a service dog.

If you have adopted a new dog don’t forget to make sure all its shots are up to date! Bring your new family member to us for a full examination and get your dog started on the path to a long, healthy life! For more pet news and tips follow us on Twitter.