I prefer purebred dogs, but thank goodness, not everyone is like me. There are lots of abandoned purebreds at shelters and rescue organizations, so you can save a dog’s life whether it’s a mixed breed or not.

I just don’t like to gamble and I don’t like surprises. When you get a purebred, you know what its adult size will be. You can read about it and know what to expect as far as behavior and trainability. If you buy or adopt from a reputable breeder, you can feel confident that they have made an effort to eliminate (through breeding programs) any physical or mental defects.

Now, having said that, I will tell you that some of the finest pets I’ve ever lived with have been mixed breeds. One thing I have learned is that whatever you decide, you can have a great dog––the perfect dog for you––if you’ll devote the time, love, and effort to make it so.