The problem with that is that mix breeds die every day - on the streets and in peoples' back yards with no medical care. With the majority of dog owners "if you get it for free it has no value." Therefore, no reason to spend good money to have one treated. Even with the current rabies outbreak in Atlanta you wouldn't begin to believe how many folks have dogs playing with their kids who have NEVER had a rabies vaccine! Treatment for DM, Mega, Hermangeosarcoma, etc?! You've got to be kidding. -- Suzanne www.tsalishepherds.com Home of Ch Firedog, Ch Cookie, Ch Flair, BIS/BISS Ch Yancy, Ch Flash, and Lil' Miss Dancer!! Website updated 11/04 > Polling a vet's office isn't very revealing...after all, the dogs are there > for > a reason. I am sure that someone has done a population sampling to show mixed > breed vs mutt in the home out there somewhere. I would be willing to bet that > there are more mutts with fewer overall health problems....but that is just > my > 'gut feeling', and as a statistician, I have to 'act on fact'...lol Cynthia > Carolyn wrote: ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2004. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================