What are purebred puppies?

The official definition of purebred reads as follows: canines who are “bred for many generations from a member of a recognized breed or strain” or “a pedigreed animal of unmixed lineage.” According to the American Kennel Club, a purebred dog means “the sire and dam of a dog are members of a recognized breed and the ancestry of a dog consists of the same breed over many generations.”

 Why would you select to purchase purebred puppies?

Here are a few reasons to consider for owning a purebred dog:

• They are AKC registered and have distinct heritages
• Most breeds were developed to perform a specific function that helped humans in their daily lives, i.e. capturing pest, such as vermin, herding animals, or hauling food and supplies
• Many AKC breeds have pedigrees that can be traced back more than 100 years, thus creating breed predictability

Are there any associated health problems with purebred puppies?

The main problem with purebreds stems from inbreeding. To create a purebred puppy, you need two dogs from the exact same gene pool. Because this pool is already limited, many breeders use the same family gene pool to create more dogs. As a result, there is a higher risk of genetic defects with each successive coupling.

 Can you predict the temperament of purebred puppies?

Yes, you can predict some behavior traits in purebred puppies. If you want a herding breed, then choose a breed with those traits and the chances are they’ll inherit them. The same goes for dogs who are more relaxed or have high energy. There are, however, some aspects of temperaments that are not inherited, but rather based on how the dog is raised and in what environment.

 Why is purchasing purebred puppies is a good choice?

They’re a good choice:

• if you know exactly which characteristics you want in a dog
• if there is a breed that has all the characteristics you want
• if you’re willing to accept the other traits that breed may have
• if you’re willing to accept the greater potential for health problems
• if you’re willing to pay more than mixed breeds or opting to adopt