What is Healthier, Pure Breeds vs. Crossbred Dogs? The Answer May Surprise You

Dog owners often aren’t shy about sharing how much they love their pup — and that can include what’s so great about the particular breed! This favoritism for certain breeds has also included another bias; many people have long been convinced that purebred pups are more prone to health issues than crossbred dogs. 

To set the record straight, scientists from the Royal Veterinary College decided to look at how the two types of dogs stack up against each other. The recent study published in the journal PLOS One revealed that the health of purebreds and crossbreds is more comparable than one may think. Keep reading to find out more about the study and what this means for prospective dog owners choosing what kind of pup to get. 

Comparing the health of purebred and crossbred dogs 

In the study, a team of researchers sent a survey to 9,400 dog parents who owned crossbreed or purebred dogs. Though there are hundreds of recognized dog species, this experiment focused solely on a few dog breeds. 

According to The Kennel Club, a crossbred dog is considered one that comes from parents who are each a distinctive breed. They are commonly referred to as designer breeds, and usually have nicknames that combine the breeds of the parents (like Labrador and Poodle becoming Labradoodle). 

Purebreds, on the other hand, are pups who come from parents (and grandparents) that are the same breed, reports Petmate. The dogs also have pedigree that can be traced back to ancestors. Examples include the golden retriever, other large breeds like Labradors, small breeds like chihauhas and more. 

The only crossbred dogs that were included in this study were cavapoos (cavoodles), cockapoos (spoodles) and labradoodles. For the purebred dogs, data and medical records were only collected for owners with a poodle, a labrador retriever, a cocker spaniel or a cavalier King Charles spaniel. All dogs, however, were under the age of 5.  

What were the results of the study comparing the health of purebred and crossbred dogs? 

The researchers wanted to test the widespread belief that designer cross breeds are less likely to suffer from common health disorders that plague purebred dogs. They specifically looked at odds for 57 disorders that included health issues like diarrhea, ear and eye infections and ACL injuries. 

What they found: The three designer breeds and their comparable purebred counterparts shared the same health outcome 87 percent of the time, partially debunking the myth that purebred dogs are healthier. Though the scientists did discover crossbred pups were more likely to experience a small number of disorders, they were less likely to suffer from others. In other words, the health issues balanced themselves out, which is good news to owners and potential pet parents who are hoping to buy a specific breed! 

What does the study comparing the health of purebred and crossbred dogs mean for dog owners? 

After analyzing the data, the researchers were able to conclude that the long-held impression that one category of bred dog is healthier than the other certainly isn’t true. In the study, they note that there are “limited differences in overall health status between the three designer-cross breeds and their purebred progenitors, challenging widespread beliefs in positive hybrid vigor effects for health in this emerging designer-crossbreed demographic.”  

For that reason, it’s more important that those considering a new puppy in their family weigh other factors when making their decision. In fact, the study authors stated that prospective owners should analyze factors like temperament, breeding conditions and health of the dog’s parents, reports Science Alert. 

It’s also wise to do plenty of research on a breed you like if you’re not adopting a mutt from a shelter. Since this study only looked at six breeds, you may find that certain crossbreeds could be considered healthier than their counterparts. (For example, pug mixes often have fewer breathing issues than the flat-nosed purebred). 

Looking for ideas of what breeds may be right for you? Check out our breakdown of the most popular pups of 2024, or the smartest breeds that are celebrated for their intelligence.