Dog Breed Mix Identification

The most common type of dog is a mixed breed dog, also known as mutts, mongrels or random-bred dogs. About 75 percent of dogs in animal shelters are mixed breed dogs, according to the ASPCA. One of the big appeals of mixed breed dogs is that each dog looks unique. However, if you're curious which pure breeds make up the genetic mix of a particular mongrel, there are ways of determining this even without a DNA test.

  1. Popularity

    • Although there are hundreds of dog breeds, there will only be a few that are common in the particular area that a stray dog was found in or bred in. By asking animal shelter workers and veterinarians what are the most common breeds of dogs in the area, this can help you narrow down the breed possibilities for your mongrel. For example, in America, the Labrador retriever has been the most popular breed of dog for over 10 years, so many American mongrels may have a dash of Labrador in their genetic makeup.

    Size

    • Stray or mixed breed dogs tend to be born the natural way, while some pure breeds of dogs like the bulldog need to be delivered by Cesarean section. Thus, a mixed breed dog most likely had a mother that was as large or even larger than itself. This can also help determine what breeds went into the mix. The father can be of any size, although female dogs tend to stand during mating, so the father is usually about the same size or larger. If a mixed breed dog is over two feet high, then a Chihuahua could not have been the mother.

    Color and Pattern

    • Color markings and patterns can help determine dog breeds. For example, German shepherd crosses tend to be black and tan or mostly black. Poodle mixes tend to be solid colored, with only tiny patches of another color usually on the belly or throat. Bulldog mixes tend to be one of two color patterns -- either a mostly white body with some small patches of another color or a white belly, face and paws with the rest of the coat being colored, according to "ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs."

    Conformation

    • The shape of the mixed breed dog's legs, body, chest and face can also help determine what breeds went into the mix. Dogs with large, powerful jaws, a stocky build and deep chests tend to be descended from bulldogs. Very long, lean dogs with small ears tend to have greyhound in them. Remember that some dog breeds like the Doberman pinscher are shown with cropped ears and a docked tail, so a floppy eared, long-tailed mixed breed dog with a Doberman's color, temperament and build is likely to a Doberman mix.

    Temperament

    • Although there are variations in individual dogs of each breed, purebreds have generalities in behaviors. For example, terrier mixes love to dig. Jack Russell mixes bark a lot. Greyhound mixes will immediately run after the sight of prey. Retriever mixes tend to pick up objects in their mouths and bring them to the owner. Border collie mixes tend to go circle behind people as if trying to round them up like sheep