For many dog lovers, owning a mixed or crossbreed is a badge of honour. Many come into the world as "surprises", born of roaming house pets, and sometimes sent off to animal shelters.

Often adopting a crossbred canine is literally saving an unwanted dogs life and the odds are he or she will make a great companion. So what are the pros and cons of selecting a crossbreed companion?

The up and downsides of crossbreeds

They don't come with a purebred price tag. However, even though he/she is a bargain, they are not self-sufficient superdogs. Once home, they will need normal doggy upkeep - proper nutrition, training, dog license and identification, medical and dental care including regular check-ups and grooming.

Although a cross still may get sick by chance, like any other creature he/she won't be predisposed to some genetic traits associated with certain breeds. For example if he/she is a Dalmatian-Lab mix, they will probably not inherit the deaf and lame genes that plagued their ancestors.

They might get big. If you're dealing with a puppy, it will be tough - if not impossible - to predict their adult size, expression or coat type. Even if both parents are known, if their breeds are dissimilar, there's little telling which side of the family your puppy will take after. Looking at the size of a puppy's feet is a good idea, if still an unscientific, way to guess how much they will grow.

The temperament of various mixes

Being able to predict a dog's potential temperament is especially important for the elderly and families with children. Certain breeds are recommended for experienced dog owners only. There's little predicting at puppy hood whether a toy dog mix will exhibit all the yappiness and nervousness of their cousins. Or a large dog descended from several stubborn, independent and aggressive breeds may be genetically wired to exhibit the same behaviour. However, desexing can help moderate aggressive tendencies.

If you stroll down to your local park or visit your closest beach, you will notice a number of cross-breed dogs with very proud and happy parents. It is without a doubt a cross-breed companion can be just as caring and loving as their pure breed cousins. If you need any further information about selecting a pet please do not hesitate to contact our healthcare team for assistance and advice.