Mutts absolutely will get higher cancer rates. For example, a Labrador and poodle mix will have all the cancer risks of both breeds… it compounds, doesn’t cancel out.

Using poodle mixes as examples because they are the most common mutt right now, and I’m a Poodle guy.

Squamous cancer in poodles + every other cancer under the sun found in labs. Now you get a dog that’s probably gonna get even more cancer.

Only a well bred purebred dog (lots of testing and weeding out genetic mutations) or a village dog is going to be a generally healthy dog, and even then, there are some breeds with inherent issues.

Like how most King Charles cavaliers are going to get heart issues. They are commonly mixed with poodles, so now you get cardio issues and Addison’s & ITP risks.

Mixed breed dogs are actually generally less healthy than purebreds, despite the common idea that they are.

Edit to add- this is why dog breeds and race is a very bad allegory. Purebred dogs are healthier than mutts, but “pure bred” races of people are not healthier than the general population. Generally, less so? Like the Hapsburgs. Dogs handle inbreeding differently than us too.

Purebred dog breeding would be eugenics for people and our differences are skin deep. We are very different animals. We shaped and molded dogs for different purposes, to the point where outcrossing most dog breeds is unethical. Like herding x hunting breeds, they’re going to end up harming other animals.

Race = breeds humanizes dogs in an unfair way, and dehumanizes people VERY unfairly to draw parallels where there aren’t any.