When you are looking to buy yourself a new furry friend to be the newest member of your little family, you may be thinking of whether a mixed breed or a purebred is better. 

There are many variables that need to be considered when you are looking to buy a dog. These include factors such as environment, what type of dog you are introducing to what kind of environment. 

Temperament, size, health conditions, and so on. Many people will also consider hypoallergenic dogs now too. 

Size is very significant as well, you do not want a Rottweiler in a tiny apartment, but a small dog like a chihuahua is more ideal. Yet, one thing people are starting to question is if the fact a dog is a mixed breed or purebred affects their behavior. 

Consider https://petdt.com/rottweiler-chihuahua-mix/ where mixes between a large dog and a small dog such as a chihuahua and a rottweiler may have an effect on the attitude of the dog. 

So, does it make a difference if a dog is purebred or a mix? 

Mix-breeds are more common now. 

Firstly, we want to start by saying that while we may not think it, mixed breed dogs are actually more common than purebred dogs in a vast majority of countries now. In the US around 53% of dogs are a mixed breed. 

This makes it a bit strange that there are not so many studies around how personality and attitude are affected by whether a dog is a purebred or mixed breed. 

In spite of this, people do seem to conclude that there is an argument for vigor in hybrids that is significant in behavior. Even PETA claims that mixed breeds are more likable and enjoyable to have as a pet. Although they failed to provide any evidence to back this up.

The Investigations

There has been one significant study, in which 7,700 were chosen, they represented over 200 breeds, and then there were another 7,691 dogs which were mixed breeds. 

The study was done via a magazine, dog owners would fill out a questionnaire over a 5-month period. There were also securities, they would have a cut-off on the number of dogs allowed to represent one breed. Limiting the number to 60.

There were many variables that were looked at, and some of the results needed to be analyzed a second time. 

What Was The Result?

The first area they looked into were personalities. The results came out that mixed breeds seemed to be less calm than purebred dogs. Calmness is something that is shown in a dog that is cool and calm, emotionally balanced. 

However, a dog which is not calm is anxious, or stressed. 

Mixed breeds also seemed to be less sociable with other dogs, this means that they were not friendly, were not good at sharing, unlike a sociable dog who may quarrel or be a bit of a bully. 

Mixed breeds also seemed to hold quite a few behavioral problems too, this meant that they would often be found to pull on their leash. They may also be unresponsive when called, or may jump up on people. 

Mixed Vs purebreds were also looked at in other ways too. Trainability was one of these things. Neither purebred or mixed breeds showed any real differences in this area thankfully. 

Both types were also showing similar results for their boldness. This means that either purebreds or mixed breeds showed similar results for being assertive. A dog which is not bold would be scared, and awkward.

Significance Of Environment. 

However, while these results are probably expected, the researchers did find that there were also a great deal of environmental things at play too. These factors would have a lot to do with the demographics of the owners and the way in which they were raised. 

A mixed breed was also more likely to be owned by a younger woman, who has a lower level of education and with less experience than that of a purebred owner. 

Of course, this is only what one study in particular found, but it could have a part to play in the way in which a dog acts. Inexperience possibly being a factor in the behavior of the dog. 

If purebred owners tend to be more experienced with dogs then it is possible that the dogs may be better behaved due to their owners level of experience with dogs, in comparison to that of mixed breed owners.