So I was thinking about Batman before I started my first post. If you'll notice, Bruce Wayne does not have a dog in "Batman Begins," but in the 1950's DC comics, he did have a "Bat-hound" named Ace.
Of course, neither Batman nor Ace the Bat-hound have any real connections to my project, aside from the fact that Ace is a pure-bred German Shepherd.
Purebred dogs, or pedigrees, are perceived to be healthier and more intelligent than mixed-breed dogs. They have a much higher rate of reclamation (67%, according to the National Animal Interest Association) at shelters and pounds as opposed to mixed-breed dogs (47%); mixed-breeds are also twice as likely to be euthanized at said shelters. A survey on the NAIA has concluded that the reason people are more likely to expend more resources to search for their pedigree pets and reclaim them from shelters is because the purebreds have a higher initial cost (adoption fee or sale).
But does a higher cost directly relate to the quality or loyalty of your pet, let alone his health or intelligence? In my project, I will study the health of both mixed- and pure-breed dogs in terms of longevity, cost of maintenance, and survival rate of offspring to prove mixed-breeds are just as healthy and intelligent as pure-breeds, if not more.
I am extremely privileged to intern at the Hillside Animal Hospital with experienced veterinarians Dr. Rosonke and Dr. Council, who are kind enough to let an amateur like me observe various surgeries and help out at Unleashed, the dog kennel.
The ultimate purpose of this project is not to belittle pedigrees and idolize mixed-breeds, or even for the simple sake of proving superiority. My goal is to prove the equality of our loving canine companions, regardless of heritage, so future dog owners will be more willing to adopt mixed-breeds that would otherwise be abandoned and euthanized.
And of course, it is not who you are underneath, but what you do that defines you. This does not apply exclusively to Mr. Wayne, but to dogs and cats as well; prestige should not precede character, and a brand name should never outweigh qualities of loyalty and love. Lastly, thanks for reading my first blog entry! :) I hope you guys stay with me throughout the course of my project!!
~Sonya
