Thinking about a Designer Dog? mixed breed
"Adorable Mixed Breeds" get cancer, epilepsy, allergies, heart disease, and orthopedic problems just like purebreds. I see it every day in my veterinary practice but mixed breed dogs aren't tracked like the purebreds so they have a reputation as "healthier" that is actually undeserved in many cases". Dr Libbye Miller, DVM
Most mixed breeds are a result of accidental breedings or a fad of "designer dogs". If they are producing these dogs are they testing parents for all that their breed has a problem with? Is it their goal to cross them for a specific reason - such as becoming service dogs? Quality bred purebreds are/should be the result of planned breedings to produce better dogs. Crossbreds are just randomly produced and carry the same genes as purebreds but without knowledge of what to avoid, creating a risk of a dog with inherited problems higher than purebreds. Breed clubs spend time, energy and money developing tests for any health issues in their breed which crossbreds do not receive. Mixed breeds are a product of their parents - if you breed a Lab with hip dysplasia to a standard poodle with epilepsy you may get Labradoodles with both!Some breeds have more health issues, but the Australian shepherd is healthier than many. Maybe it's because they are such a functional breed. Other breeds have specific jobs whereas aussies are used for many different things.
All of our dogs are registered as Miniature Australian Shepherds with the Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America MASCA