Crossbreed

I've always had crossbreeds, or mutts. I grew up with two terrier cross sisters (they were sold as 4-week-old jrts), and we weren't exactly sure what was in there! They lived to be 15 (2 weeks before 16th birthday) and 16 (almost exactly six months after).

After the first dog, Alice, died, we decided to get another terrier, and looked on terrier rescue. Three days later, Tee-J arrived. He is an absolutely gorgeous Border Terrier X Parson Jack Russell Terrier; he looks like a giant BT. He weighs three times that of an average BT, and is full of muscle. He is the most delightful dog ever; loves us all, and other dogs. Ok, he isn't that keen on young children, as he was brought up in quite an old household, but he curls up with me, my little sister, my mum, my dad, and anyone else he can. He is a good guard dog, until he realises its someone he knows!

All of the other mutts I have met have been lovely, and they all have a certain unique 'charm.'

I wouldn't hesitate to get a mutt again. Tee-J was an accidental breeding; his old owners bought him and his brother, but couldn't cope, so we took him on. When I've got my own house, and a family, I would look for a puppy this way, or an older dog from a rescue centre. I would really recommend mutts to anyone, especially first time owners.

However, Tee-J seems to have missed out this bit about mutts having better health; he has allergies that have cost our insurance company over £3000 (including MRI scan) in that last year.

If you look into dog owning carefully, genuinely want a dog but can't afford the ridiculous prices of a pure-bred puppy, I'd reccomend a mutt. If anything, you can always have lots of fun guessing what breeds made it!