Re:The evolution of dog breeds
by chadzawistowski on Thursday April 09, 2015 @05:40PM
(#9351229)
I'd guess that in terms of average health and temperament, the order is random/natural-bred mutts > well-bred pedigree > puppy/kitty mill animals.
Breeders will always put health and temperament first. If they don't, they're a mill. A nice pedigree and a super healthy dog are not mutually exclusive.
Agreed. No-kill actually means "90+ percent live release" because some animals are so sick (physically or mentally) that euthanasia is the humane thing to do.
Temperament in dogs is a heritable trait, and selecting a dog from a conscientious breeder [...] than selecting a dog from a shelter at random.
Perhaps, if only because of the pernicious effect of the puppy mills. 99 percent of shelter cats are mutts and just fine. I'd guess that in terms of average health and temperament, the order is random/natural-bred mutts > well-bred pedigree > puppy/kitty mill animals.