Purebred or Mixed Breed? If you are thinking about adding a new member to you family, deciding between a purebred versus a mixed breed is a bit complex. But, there are a few easy ways to determine the best DOG for your household. The Broholmer is a breed that is recognized only in Denmark. It was thought extinct in the 1960's but, in December of 1974, a purebred Broholmer popped up in Finland. This dog was a male, and the owners hoped to find a female for him to mate with, but it never happened. While still recognized as a breed, an example has yet to appear again. Let us start off with your budget. While purebreds are beautiful, they can be high maintenance. From the cost of their breeding, specific health conditions and grooming requirements, certain breeds may downright expensive. For instance, an Afghan is more expensive to maintain than a mixed breed. In the original 101 Dalmatians movie, Pongo has 72 spots, Perdita has 68 and each of the puppies has 32. Real dalmations have unique numbers and patterns of spots, almost like a human beigns fingerprint. Are you looking for a DOG to love or a show DOG? Real DOG lovers do not care about the breed of a DOG. However, amongst the wealthy and status seekers, purebreds are the only option. These DOGS are bred to preserve, exhibit and define the physical and behavioral traits of their breed. As a result, these DOGS should be predictable enough to predetermine their potential size, temperament as well as life expectancy. The Giant Schnauzer is known in german as "Riesenschnauzer", meaning "the giant". It should closely resemble the other Schnauzers, miniature and standard. However, they are really completely unique and unrelated breeds. They have just developed in such a way, over time, that they look similar to each other. As predictable as purebreds may seem, there are a few considerations. Not all akitas are bred the same way. Closely inbred litters may trigger socialization issues, behavioral deficiencies as well as a host of other health conditions. Consult a veterinarian, kennel club, an animal shelter or a highly reputed DOG breeder to learn how to identify the more common medical problems of varying breeds. German shepherd dogs are great working dogs. They are often used as police dogs, rescue dogs and guides for the blind. In fact, one of them, a guide dog named Orient, once led a blind hiker the entire 2100 mile length of the Appalachian Trail. On the contrary, mixed breeds are generally less expensive to buy. Overall, the �mutt� is intelligent, lovable and easy to care for because they are more resilient to illness. Although the temperament of a mixed breed is mild mannered, they can be a little unpredictable too � particularly if you are unsure of their crossbreeding. The Skye Terrier's origins are connected with a centuries old shipwreck. Early in the 1600's a Spanish ship wrecked on the Island of Skye in the Scottish Hebrides. Some of the survivors of the shipwreck were Maltese dogs that mated with the local terriers, creating a new and unique breed.