Now, you have to decide whether to look for a pedigree or a cross-breed. The tables below should help you in this decision. You can pre-determine the appearance of your dog as an adult. You can determine the temperament of your puppy by the general character of the breed. By researching the pedigree certificate, you can piece together the entire history of your pet.
Pedigrees are often easier to insure.
Check with your insurance company, some will only deal with pedigree dogs. Many people believe that some pedigree dogs are more suseptable to illness and genetic defects than a cross-bred which has been 'naturally selected' As pedigrees are valuable, theft of your dog is an ever growing threat. You can insure against the financial loss, but not the sentimental loss. If you are purchasing an adult dog, you are more likely to find an abandoned adult cross-breed from an animal shelter, than an adult pedigree from a breeder. Many people are of the belief that it is more ethical to rescue an unwanted cross bred than to encourage breeders to expand the dog population.