If the information available in practice management software is to be useful for pet‐specific strategies, then it is critical that this information be correct in the medical record.
3.9.3 Purebreds
Purebred pets are those with a documented pedigree and there are literally hundreds of dog breeds and dozens of cat breeds in the world today. Many countries have organizations that recognize breed status and record pedigrees (e.g., American Kennel Club, The Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, etc.) and it is quite possible that some breeds recognized as purebreds by one organization may not be recognized by another (see 11.1 Finding More Information on Pet‐Specific Care). There are also international organizations dealing with purebreds, such as the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (www.fci.be) for dogs, and the International Cat Association (TICA) (www.tica.org) and the Cat Fanciers Association (www.cfa.org) for cats.
One of the most useful features of purebreds, from a pet‐specific care perspective, is that they tend to have more predictable behaviors and predispositions to disease (see 11.4 Heritable Health Conditions – By Breed). Many behaviors are highly ingrained in a breed (e.g., retrieving, herding), and pet owners may have certain expectations in this regard. It is also easier to predict features such as personality in purebreds, adult size and, as mentioned, breed predisposition to certain diseases. In addition, there are a variety of genetic screening tests now available, and most are applicable to diseases recognized in certain purebreds (although some can also be detected in mixed‐breed and hybrid animals).
3.9.4 Hybrids
Hybrids are becoming more common in society, as breeders and pet owners attempt to select for specific features by crossing a variety of purebred breeds. While some breeders have attempted to create new purebred breeds from the offspring of these crosses, in general the hybrids involve the continued breeding of specific purebreds to attain the desired crosses. While there are many canine hybrids being promoted (Table 3.9.1), some feline hybrids have also been developed, and some of these are now recognized as purebreds. These include the Savannah Brown, Ocicat, Oriental Shorthair, Tonkinese, Bengal, Chausie, Savannah, Pixiebob, and Toyger.
Table 3.9.1 Examples of some canine hybrid crosses
| Affenwich | = | Affenpinscher | × | Norwich terrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airedoodle | = | Airedale | × | Poodle |
| American Bull‐Jack | = | American bulldog | × | Jack Russell terrier |
| Ausky | = | Australian cattle dog | × | Siberian husky |
| Aussiedoodle | = | Australian shepherd | × | Poodle |
| Baussie | = | Australian shepherd | × | Boston terrier |
| Beabull | = | Bulldog | × | Beagle |
| Belusky | = | Siberian husky | × | Belgian Malinois |
| Biton | = | Bichon frisé | × | Coton de Tulear |
| Bogle | = | Beagle | × | Boxer |
| Borkie | = | Bichon frisé | × | Yorkshire terrier |
| Bostie | = | Boston terrier | × | West Highland white terrier |
| Bowzer | = | Basset hound | × | Miniature schnauzer |
| Cadoodle | = | Collie | × | Poodle |
| Cairnese | = | Cairn terrier | × | Havanese |
| Cavachon | = | Bichon frisé | × | Cavalier King Charles spaniel |
| Chorkie | = | Chihuahua | × | Yorkshire terrier |
| Chug | = | Chihuahua | × | Pug |
| Cocarpoo | = | Cocker spaniel | × | Poodle |
| Corkie | = | Cocker spaniel | × | Yorkshire terrier |
| Crustie | = | Chinese crested | × | Yorkshire terrier |
| Daug | = | Dachshund | × | Pug |
| Dorkie | = | Dachshund | × | Yorkshire terrier |
