What is a Mutt Dog?

A mutt is any dog of mixed breed or uncertain ancestry. In contrast to purebreds, mutts display a high degree of genetic variation, and come in a wide variety of sizes, colors and temperaments. The terms cur, tyke, mongrel and "Heinz 57" also refer to dogs of mixed breeding.

  1. Purebreds

    • Unlike mutts, purebred dogs are the result of generations of deliberate breeding and selective husbandry. Historically, breeders selected and mated dogs in order to enhance and maintain certain desired physical, behavioral or temperamental characteristics, often for a specific purpose. Hunters bred bloodhounds to track game, and shepherds bred border collies to herd sheep, to name just two examples of the hundreds of selective dog breeds. The animal's owner must have documentation of parentage and ancestry for a dog to qualify as purebred.

    Types

    • Mixed breeds fall into several categories. Most mutts show characteristics of two or more breeds, and are commonly identified with the breed they most resemble (e.g., a "lab mix"). Pariah dogs --- dogs descended from wild or feral dogs without selective breeding --- qualify as mutts. Pariah dogs are usually medium sized and yellow or light brown in color. Functional breeds, like the Alaskan husky, are intentionally bred to perform a certain task, but come from non-purebred ancestors. A crossbreed is a mutt with two purebred parents of different breeds.

    Pros and Cons

    • In terms of overall health, mutts enjoy a pronounced advantage over purebreds. Generations of selective breeding has narrowed genetic variation in purebreds, making them more susceptible to harmful recessive genes that may cause health problems. Mutts generally require fewer veterinary visits and live longer. Many pet owners enjoy the unique, one-of-a-kind quality of a mutt, but this uniqueness also makes mutts unpredictable. Due to the wide genetic variation of a mixed ancestry, the appearance and behavior of a mutt's offspring may be very different from the parent. Some pet owners prefer the specific traits and prestige of a purebred.

    Adoption

    • The price of a purebred pup often runs into the hundreds --- or even thousands --- of dollars, but one can usually adopt a mutt for little more than the cost of vaccinations. Most cities support humane societies or other animal shelters, and many charities sponsor dog rescue programs for the purpose of finding orphaned, neglected and abandoned dogs a "forever" home.