| Meaning | It is the process of choosing parents of the same breed with desirable traits and mating them to produce offspring with improved characteristics. | It is the process of mating animals of two different breeds to combine the desired traits of both into the offspring. |
| Purpose | To improve the quality within the same breed, such as higher milk yield, better disease resistance, etc. | To combine the strengths of two different breeds, such as high yield from one and disease resistance from another. |
| Breed Used | Same breed of animals or plants. | Different breeds (but of the same species). |
| Genetic Diversity | Less genetic diversity, as the breeding occurs within the same gene pool. | More genetic diversity, due to mixing of genes from different breeds. |
| Example (Cattle) | Selecting and mating the best quality Gir cows for higher milk production. | Mating Jersey (foreign breed) with Sahiwal (Indian breed) to produce crossbred cows with better yield and climate resistance. |
| Cost | Usually low cost, as it involves existing native breeds. | Can be costly, as it may involve the use of exotic or improved breeds. |
| Risk of Inbreeding | Higher risk of inbreeding depression if not managed properly. | Lower risk of inbreeding due to genetic variation. |
| Adaptability | Offspring are well adapted to local climate and conditions. | Crossbred animals may face adaptation challenges in certain climatic conditions. |
