Mixed Breeds For Dummies. Miriam Fields-Babineau

      Female dogs often learn faster and are able to focus at an earlier age and maintain that focus into adulthood. Although many female dogs are territorial, they usually mark the spot in one pass. Female dogs are more likely to want to stay home, preferring to stay in their safe territories instead of always looking to expand it.

      Male dogs can tend to be more assertive than female dogs, though this can change after neutering. Male dogs also tend to carry a stronger body odor than female dogs. But the gender most likely to be a good foot warmer is the male dog, because he’s better at relaxing when the time comes. Female dogs are always on the alert for any possibilities. Because female dogs have the mothering instinct, most of their behavioral tendencies are to feed, protect, and nurture their young. Thus, they’re always aware of everything going on around them.

Adding It Up: The Right Dog for You

      Big, small. Short hair, long hair. Male, female. There are so many choices — how can you possibly know the right dog for you? If you’re stymied by it all, here are a few suggestions based on where you live and what your lifestyle is like:

       If you live in an apartment or condominium: Try a small female dog, maybe with Toy or Terrier breeding.

       If yours is a single-family home with very young children: Try a small to medium male or female dog. Sporting dogs do well with youngsters, as do some of the Hound dogs such as Beagles.

       If yours is a single-family home with older children, or no children: Try a medium to large male or female Sporting, Hound, Herding, Non-Sporting, or Toy mix. Sighthounds (such as Greyhounds) aren’t recommended because older children have a tendency to leave doors and gates open, and sighthounds can’t be trusted not to run.

       If you live in a country or rural setting: Try any size female dog of any heritage. Herding and Sporting breeds will definitely thrive in this setting. Remember: If unneutered, male dogs may have a tendency to wander, which can be deadly, especially in a country or rural setting. (For more on why you should spay or neuter your dog, see Chapter 18.)

      

These aren’t rules — they’re just suggestions. Each dog is an individual with genetics that are distinctly his own. Much of a dog’s personality rests with the training and quality of the care you give. Your best bet is to take the time to temperament-test (see Chapter 4) any dog you’re considering, and take an educated plunge into mixed-breed dog ownership.

Chapter 4

      Choosing Your New Best Friend

      IN THIS CHAPTER

      

Locating a mixed-breed dog

      

Knowing which questions to ask

      

Testing a dog’s temperament before you bring her home

      With the exception of designer dogs, mixed-breed dogs are far easier to find than purebred dogs, because there are more of them available. In this chapter, I fill you in on where to look.

      When you decide on where you’ll get your mixed breed, you need to know which questions to ask and how to determine if a specific dog is right for you. I arm you with a list of questions and a series of simple tests you can do with any dog to see if she’ll be a good fit in your home.

Finding Your Very Own Mixed-Breed Dog

      So many places, so little time. Mixed-breed dogs are everywhere! You’ll find them in your local newspaper’s classified section, on ads posted at pet shops and grocery stores, at animal shelters and humane societies. The best place, however, to locate a mixed breed is via the Internet. There are many websites dedicated to helping you find the right mixed-breed dog for you. These include Petfinder.com, the website of your local humane society or animal shelter, craigslist.com, the numerous rescue groups found throughout the country, and also via social media, such as Facebook and Instagram. There is a plethora of resources available dedicated to helping people connect with homeless dogs.

      Breeders

      If you’re searching for a designer puppy, finding a breeder is the best first choice. The best way to locate a breeder is either through your local newspaper’s classifieds section or on the Internet. Based on my observation, accidental breeders (people who didn’t intend to breed their dog) are most likely to advertise in the newspaper, on craigslist, or on local marketplace websites, whereas designer-dog breeders are most likely to have websites. This is just a general rule, though — as with any rule, there are exceptions, which is why you need to know what to look for in any breeder, no matter where you found him.

      

Whether you’re talking to a designer-dog breeder, or an accidental breeder of a non-designer mix, here’s a list of questions to ask:

       Was this litter planned? If so, it’s more likely that your pup will be healthy because the breeder wants to produce good-quality pups.

       How long have you been breeding dogs? If the breeder says that the breeding wasn’t intended, it’s likely that his dog got loose and was bred by the neighborhood Casanova. If the breeder tells you that he’s been doing it for several years, there’s a good chance he is knowledgeable about the process.

       If the litter was planned, how did you choose the parentage for this litter? The breeder should relate the good genetic background of the parentage (for example, good health and temperament).

       If the litter was planned, what types of health screens were done on the parent dogs? A responsible breeder will have the parents’ hips, eyes, and heart checked for abnormalities. Reputable breeders keep copious records of all dogs crossing their paths. The breeders of planned litters generally have health tests performed on the dogs they intend to breed. These clearances give puppy breeders the ability to guarantee the health of the puppies for a period of time (generally up to a year).

       Can you give me the names and phone numbers of people who have bought puppies from you in the past? A good breeder will be proud of his puppy placements. References shouldn’t be a problem.

       What do you look for in a potential puppy purchaser? A concerned breeder wants the best homes for his pups.

       Can you give me a copy of the pup’s health records? All pups should get their first worming at 5 weeks, another at 7 weeks, and their first vaccines at 7 weeks.

       What are the puppies being fed? If they’re receiving a good-quality food (see Chapter 7), the breeder cares about giving the pups a good start.

If and when you actually visit the home of the breeder, ask yourself the following questions:

       Is the odor overwhelmingly bad, tolerable, or nonexistent? You want your puppy to come from a place that’s clean, so the less offensive the odor, the better.

       Where are the puppies being contained? If they’re inside the breeder’s home, they’re likely to get lots of early socialization,