“Stud of the month” syndrome.
That wretched Cambria Dobe won BOG at Westminster two years running and made it to the final cut.
He was a DCM carrier and his get are lousy with it, yet *everybody* now has “famous” Cambria in the lines and Dobes are dying young and often of it.
I spit on them.
Mutts are no answer.
“Hybrid vigor” is not only a misnomer, it’s a myth.
They inherit the same issues that their purebred parents had and often, it’s multiplied if the “wrong” breeds mix.
At least with purebreds, you have a chance of knowing what will come and preparing for it.
With mutts, it’s a crap shoot.
I love all dogs but I’m gonna hedge my bets as much as humanly possible.
It’s a sin that these kinds of conversations and concerns are even necessary, now.
:(
Actually, mathematically, there is a greater chance of less recessive traits from a mix of two (even inbred) different purebred breeds. So that will take a little sickness and skeletal malformation off the table.
Then you will want to look at the mother first, re epigenetics. She needs to not be too early or late in her breeding life, she needs to be roundly healthy re nutrition and exercise and joy (happy dog is huge). She needs to be fed true real nutrition, not typical dog food, which is unhealthy. Frozen natural, all vitals and minerals supplemented.
Last, look at the father, but this will not affect them in utero as much as the mother’s health will.
Sure, the litter won’t be too profitable for the breeder because of the unpredictable looks of the pups. But that “unpredictability” means healthier pups. And if you choose a good combo, they all look pretty darn cute.