The Mixed Breed Dog : Perfect Guide

Image Credit – Hemapriya

Mixed breed dogs, also known as mutts or crossbreeds, are a combination of two or more different dog breeds. These dogs often display a wide variety of traits and personalities, making them unique and charming companions. Whether adopted from a shelter or rescued from the streets, mixed breed dogs can bring joy and unconditional love to any household. Their varied backgrounds can also contribute to their resilience, intelligence, and adaptability, making them great pets for families and individuals alike. Let us know in the comments about your experience with mixed breed dogs and how they’ve impacted your life.

Ranger is the most beautiful dog I’ve ever seen,” said Steve. “He has a long golden coat; short, pointed ears; a pointed muzzle; and deep-set dark eyes. He’s a big boy, weighing in at about 80 pounds, but very gentle. The baby hugs him and crawls on him, and our six-year-old takes him for walks.”

The Mixed Breed Dog

“Pavlov is everything I want in a pet,” Mary said. “He’s a great apartment dog, loves to do tricks, and sits on my lap in the evenings. When I take his leash out of the closet, he goes crazy because he loves our walks in the park.”

“General is a great guard dog,” said Martin. “We live in a not-so-good neighborhood, and I feel safe with him around. He barks whenever anyone approaches the yard and sounds ferocious, but he probably wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

“I don’t know what I’d do without Muffin,” Pat said about her little white dog. “She brightens my days and keeps me from sitting still too much. We take care of each other.”

Ranger, Pavlov, General, and Muffin are all mixed breed dogs adopted from animal shelters or obtained from a friend or neighbor whose unspayed bitch was romanced by the dog down the street. They are living proof that the mixed breed dog can be just as competent, just as reliable, and just as loyal as a carefully chosen purebred dog.

Each year, the American Kennel Club registers more than a million purebred dogs of 150 breeds and varieties of dogs. The United Kennel Club registers more than 200 breeds, and worldwide, about 400 breeds are recognized, yet most of the dogs in the world are at least a mixture of two breeds and often a multi-breed combination like the famous 57 varieties of Heinz products.

These dogs are known variously as crossbreeds, usually a mixture of two different purebred dogs; mixed breeds, dogs that may be of a recognizable type (terrier, spaniel, retriever, hound, etc.) but with parents of mixed heritage; mongrels, dogs of unknown parentage that tend to roam; and pariahs or curs, medium-sized generic dogs that live on the fringes of civilization.

The terms get blurred sometimes when people give “breed” names to mixed breed dogs. For example, perusal of the classified section in the daily newspaper often produces a plethora of Poodle mixes advertised as Yorkie-poos Yorkshire Terrier-Poodle), Malti-poo (Maltese-Poodle), Cocker-poo (American Cocker Spaniel-Poodle), Schnoodle (Miniature Schnauzer-Poodle), etc. The latest fad crossbred dog is the Labradoodle, said to retain the tight, non-shedding coat of the poodle, the easy-going temperament of the Labrador, and the intelligence of both breeds.

But no matter what they are called, mixed breed dogs can be wonderful pets if they are socialized and trained as puppies.

The latest surveys of the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association and the American Veterinary medical Association estimate more than 60 million dogs in 38-40 million US households, and other estimates place the number of purebred dogs at slightly more than half the total of owned dogs. However, mixed breed dogs appear to outnumber purebreds by a substantial number, possibly because more of them enter community animal shelters and fewer are likely to be reclaimed by their owners. A walk through the animal shelter seems to confirm the prevalence of mixed breed dogs, which make up 80-90 percent of shelter populations in many areas.

Many people consider mixed breeds to be the lower caste of pets, acceptable for a first dog maybe, but those who aspire to become serious pet owners think they should ‘trade up’ to a purebred dog that fits certain stereotypical situations. Thus the Golden Retriever or Labrador Retriever is the ultimate family dog; the Rottweiler the penultimate guard dog; the Sheltie the perfect little girl’s pet; the German Shepherd the best child’s protector, and so on. However, dog owners should feel no shame in announcing they own a mixed breed pet, for these dogs too can be perfect for the family, the apartment, the children, the jogging father, the stay-at-home grandma – you name it, a mixed breed can do it.

Advantages of owning a mixed breed

Besides the unconditional devotion an owner gets from building and maintaining a bond with any pet dog, the mixed breed dog has several advantages. First, he is generally inexpensive, even if purchased from a shelter. Mixed breed dogs obtained from a neighbor or from a newspaper ad may cost nothing at all or next to it. Those acquired from a shelter may cost $60-80, but the fee often includes vaccinations and a general health exam and may even include sterilization. If neutering is not included in the fee, the shelter often gives the adopter a discount coupon for the surgery.

The price advantage of a mixed breed dog over a purebred dog is short-lived, however. Cheap dogs are often poorly socialized, have little immunity to parasites or disease, and are the product of accidental breedings, not carefully-planned matings. Veterinarians, boarding kennels, groomers, and obedience instructors charge the same amount for their services whether the dog has a royal pedigree or not.

Second, there is no pressure to “do something” with the dog. Those with purebred dogs often feel the need to compete in various contests, to collect bric-a-brac with their breed’s identification, to adorn themselves in breed-specific clothing, to join dog clubs and get immersed in doggy events, etc. The owners of a mixed breed can just sit back and enjoy company of his Sandy or Ginger with no pressure to perform or collect.

Third, if you do feel pushed to “do something” with the dog, there are more and more opportunities to get involved in obedience and other activities. The American Kennel Club extends its Canine Good Citizen program to mixed breed dogs. The United Kennel Club includes spayed and neutered mixed breed dogs in its obedience and agility events through the American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry, giving these pets the opportunity to earn even advanced obedience and agility titles.

Mixed breed dogs can also compete in agility events held under the auspices of the US Dog Agility Association and the North American Dog Agility Club. Mixes can also train as search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and service dogs.

The drawbacks

The disadvantages of a mixed breed outweigh the advantages for many families. The sire of the litter often hits and runs, and the owners of the dam know little or nothing about his size, type, breed, health, or temperament. Indeed, a mixed breed dog that is not protected during her fertile period can be bred by several dogs, producing a litter with two or more sires. Thus puppy purchasers know almost nothing about the pup except that he’s cute and loving.

Some mixed breeds, especially the small ones, exhibit the worst characteristics of both parents. Poodle mixes can be high-strung, even neurotic and terrier mixes can be destructive, stubborn, difficult to house train, and frantic. Mixes of medium or large breeds such as Chow Chows, Akitas, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, or any of the guard dogs can be dominant-aggressive, which can be especially difficult in families with small children or with an adult man or woman who has neither a commanding voice nor a confidant manner.

Another disadvantage of mixed breed dogs is the inability to predict the size, coat-type, or temperament of the adult dog from seeing a litter of puppies from an unknown sire or worse, from an unknown dam and sire. Animal shelter personnel can guess at the breed of an abandoned litter of pups, but they cannot really tell much by looking at a roly poly bundle of fur with the little round face and short legs. And even if the litter parents are known, if they are two widely divergent breeds or mixes in size, coat, or temperament, it will be difficult to determine which pups will take after Mom, which ones will resemble Dad, which ones will look and act like a little bit of both, and which ones will look and act like neither parent.

Mixed breed dogs are sometimes considered to be the “natural” dog, the epitome of dogdom if the purebred breeders had left domesticated canines alone instead of breeding for particular abilities and physical attributes. But some folks go a bit too far, claiming that mixed breeds suffer from few of the genetic health and temperament problems inherent in purebreds. It is true, that, left alone to reproduce naturally, purebred dogs would probably become homogenized into a prototypical pariah dog – about 45 pounds in weight, 18-20 inches tall, yellow or sable colored, with upright ears and a long, slightly curled tail – similar to the Dingo of Australia, Canaan Dog of Israel or Carolina Dogs of the Southeastern US. It is also true that if dogs ran free, the unhealthy ones would not have the stamina to compete, and so the gene pool would of necessity be healthy.

Type and temperament

Crossbred dogs with parents of similar size and temperament will probably mimic their parents in these two attributes. Coat type will likely favor one parent or the other, although hair length and texture can vary widely. The body size and

temperament of crossbred dogs with parents of different size and temperament are anybody’s guess. And mixed breed dogs are akin to genetic stew in which one bowl contains lots of carrots and celery, a bit of meat, a couple of pieces of potato, and a small onion, and the next bowl is scarce on carrots, light on onions, and but heavy on meat, potatoes and celery. Thus one pup in a litter may have Dad’s color and size and head shape and Mom’s coat type, independent temperament, and bad hips. Or Dad’s coat type and Mom’s head shape. Or Mom’s bad hips and Dad’s sweet temperament. Or the color, head shape, etc. of a grandparent on one side or the other.

mixed breed dogs are often the best of both worlds, offering a blend of different breed characteristics that make them versatile and affectionate pets. With their playful nature and loyalty, they make wonderful companions. Whether you’re considering adopting or fostering one, mixed breed dogs are sure to bring joy into your home. Let us know in the comments if you’ve adopted a mixed breed dog or if you have any tips on caring for them.

Frequently Asked Questions