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Nearly 250 years ago, Charles Darwin observed that the cross-pollinated plants he had been studying exhibited “greater height, weight and fertility” than self-pollinated plants. The discovery later became the foundation for the theory of heterosis (or “hybrid vigor”), which holds that hybrid offspring – in both the plant and animal kingdoms alike – tend to exhibit superior fitness or performance traits compared to their inbred parents.
Over the centuries that followed, this theory came to serve as the foundation for a durable bit of canine conventional wisdom: that mixed-breed dogs, by virtue of their genetic diversity, are less susceptible to diseases and chronic ailments than their purebred relatives.
What the Research Shows
Recent studies, however, have cast doubt on this theory. One U.S. study from 2024 looked at more than 27,000 dogs and determined that, at the end of the day, there just wasn’t that much difference between mixed-breed and purebred dogs when it came to innate health or hardiness, generally speaking:
- 22% of the pet parents of purebred dogs reported that their dog did not have any medical conditions.
- 21% of the pet parents of mixed-breed dogs reported the same.
The study’s conclusions were echoed by another 2024 study, this one from the U.K., that looked into whether certain “designer crossbreeds” – in this case, cavapoos, cockapoos and labradoodles – had lower odds of displaying any of 57 common health disorders, as compared to their purebred progenitor breeds. Among their findings:
- In more than 86% of the health comparisons the researchers made, the likelihood of having one of the listed medical conditions did not differ significantly between the crossbred dogs and the progenitor breeds.
- In the roughly 14% of instances where there was a significant difference, the results were basically split right down the middle, with half of the crossbred dogs exhibiting a greater likelihood and half of them exhibiting a lower likelihood.
Understanding Health Risks – For All Dogs
These results suggest that the “Who’s healthier?” question doesn’t have a clear answer – or, at the very least, that the answer is more nuanced than the conventional wisdom would suggest.
Researchers from both studies, as well as many veterinarians, believe that a better way of framing the issue might be to observe that certain purebred dogs, depending on their breed, may be more likely to develop certain diseases and chronic health conditions – everything from hip dysplasia to breathing problems to skin conditions to cancer. Entering the name of a breed into the Healthy Paws Dog Care search bar will yield full profiles containing information on which diseases and conditions, specifically, are statistically more likely to show up in these types of dogs.
If you’re thinking of bringing home a purebred dog, you can take steps to minimize the risk of future health problems by making sure you buy it only from a responsible, ethical breeder that tests for genetic diseases and is transparent about results. And if you find yourself leaning more towards a mixed-breed pup instead, it should be remembered that genetic diversity isn’t a guarantee of good health. Many of the same dog DNA tests currently on the market that shed light onto the ancestral history of mixed-breed dogs can also provide valuable information about their unique propensity towards disease.
Staying Healthy
Every single dog – purebred and mixed-breed alike – is special. Keeping yours as healthy and happy as possible is a priority that Healthy Paws shares with you. Our insurance plan reimburses policyholders for up to 90 percent (or the percentage reimbursement selected in your plan) of any veterinary bills associated with treating a health condition covered under your policy, with no maximum annual or lifetime payouts.
In the end, we don’t love our dogs because of who their canine parents or grandparents were. We love them because of who they are.
The material presented herein is advisory in nature and is not intended as a substitute for legal, insurance, or other professional advice, but rather is presented for general information only. You should consult knowledgeable experts as to any technical questions you may have.
