Besides the unconditional devotion an owner gets from building and maintaining a bond with any pet dog, the mixed breed dog has several advantages. First, he is generally inexpensive, even if purchased from a shelter. Mixed breed dogs obtained from a neighbor or from a newspaper ad may cost nothing at all or next to it. Those acquired from a shelter may cost $60-80, but the fee often includes vaccinations and a general health exam and may even include sterilization. If neutering is not included in the fee, the shelter often gives the adopter a discount coupon for the surgery.
The price advantage of a mixed breed dog over a purebred dog is short-lived, however. Cheap dogs are often poorly socialized, have little immunity to parasites or disease, and are the product of accidental breedings, not carefully-planned matings. Veterinarians, boarding kennels, groomers, and obedience instructors charge the same amount for their services whether the dog has a royal pedigree or not.
Second, there is no pressure to “do something” with the dog. Those with purebred dogs often feel the need to compete in various contests, to collect bric-a-brac with their breed’s identification, to adorn themselves in breed-specific clothing, to join dog clubs and get immersed in doggy events, etc. The owners of a mixed breed can just sit back and enjoy company of his Sandy or Ginger with no pressure to perform or collect.
Third, if you do feel pushed to “do something” with the dog, there are more and more opportunities to get involved in obedience and other activities. The American Kennel Club extends its Canine Good Citizen program to mixed breed dogs. The United Kennel Club includes spayed and neutered mixed breed dogs in its obedience and agility events through the American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry, giving these pets the opportunity to earn even advanced obedience and agility titles.
Mixed breed dogs can also compete in agility events held under the auspices of the US Dog Agility Association and the North American Dog Agility Club. Mixes can also train as search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and service dogs.
About the only thing the mixed breed dog can’t do is participate in events organized and hosted by AKC and its member clubs. This prohibition can be a blessing in disguise for owners who are not competitive by nature, for AKC events often produce fierce rivalries or lead to such stress that outsiders wonder if either the people or the dogs are having any fun at all.