Tag Archives: purebred

Are mixed breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs?

French Bulldog

Veterinarians hear the question all the time: are mixed breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? And of course, it is our business to know. Because there is much contradictory, and unreferenced, information on the internet, I’m going to offer my stance backed by peer-reviewed research in this blogpost. I would argue that neither group is

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Should I Adopt an Older Dog?

A happy family with a dog

October is Adopt a Dog Month or Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Either way, I hope your family is thinking about whether or not adopting a dog is the right move. Keep in mind, adopting a dog at the wrong time or without considering its impact on your family is always a bad idea. Adopting

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Are Purebred Dogs Sicker than Mutts?

A dog on a leash at the westminster dog show

This week was the week New York City went to the dogs; the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was in Madison Square Garden on Monday and Tuesday and there were activities all over the city related to man’s best friend. The Animal Medical Center veterinarians were at the Show triaging dogs unlucky enough to

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Fighting Breed-Related Diseases

The refinement of purebred dogs over the past four or five centuries has created interesting versions of Canis familiaris, such as dogs with dreadlocks, wrinkles, extra toes, a double coat, or an innate ability to herd sheep. Selective breeding of dogs to propagate characteristics related to coat, foot size, or herding prowess may also have

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ABC’s of Feline DNA

Nearly everything about us and our cats is determined by a molecule called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Due to the wonders of molecular genetics, DNA has been harnessed as a method of diagnosing diseases in our feline companions. Because members of a breed are closely related, genetically based diseases are often first identified in a family

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