About Mixed Breed Dogs

Identification

• Mixed breed dogs are dogs that are not purebred but are mixtures of two or more breeds. Also known as mutts, mongrels, hybrids or Heinz 57s, mixed breeds share the physical characteristics and temperaments of the breeds in their family lineages.

Size

• Of the 60 million dogs in 38 to 40 million American homes, most of them are mixed breed dogs (see Resources), probably because most owners get their dogs from animal shelters rather than breeders. About 80 to 90 percent of dogs in shelters are mixed breeds.

Benefits

• Mixed breed dogs are cheaper than purebreds bought from a breeder. Often owners can pick up mixed breeds free from newspaper ads, owners giving away puppies or by taking in strays that wander to their homes. While some breeders charge as much as $1000 or more for a purebred, shelters only charge $60 to $80, which includes sterilization, health exams and shots. If a puppy is too young to be spayed or neutered, new owners typically receive a discount coupon when it's time for surgery.
  Adopting a mixed breeds from a shelter can give owners a good feeling in that they have given homes to homeless animals that might otherwise have been euthanized. In addition, they've helped the shelter by giving more room for the other dogs.
  A mixed breed can offer the benefit of receiving the best traits of two or more different breeds rolled into one dog. There's also less chance of genetic defects that are typical of purebred dogs because of overbreeding.

Challenges

• Owners can't predict the temperament, health problems or size of their mixed breed. About all they know is their dog is cute and loving. However, often after a new pet comes home, owners discover problems. This is even a greater concern when adopting an older dog because of possible abuse and abandonment issues.
  Some mixed breeds can be mixtures of the worst traits of both parents. For example, a poodle-terrier mix can have the neurotic trait of poodles coupled with the stubborn, destructive feature of a terrier, making for an undesirable combination. Medium to large-sized guard dog mixes including Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Chow Chows and Akitas can be too dominant-aggressive, making it dangerous for households with small children. A passive owner who lacks a commanding voice will struggle with these mixes.

Considerations

• Don't make an impulsive decision. Take time to walk and play with a dog, seeing how he interacts with you. Make at least one more visit to an animal shelter to be sure the dog is right for you. Most animal shelters allow for a trial period of about a month before closing the deal. Often a dog's true personality comes out when he's away from other animals. Meanwhile, do research on the breeds that seem to make up the dog you wish to adopt.

Warnings

• Buying a purebred dog doesn't guarantee both health and temperament. The "papers" purchased from a breeder only certifies information pertaining to the identity and lineage of a dog.
  It isn't a good idea to breed mixed dogs because their genetic traits aren't dependably reproducible. There's the risk of a mix inheriting defects from its ancestors.

Misconceptions

• Some owners think mixed breed dogs are limited in what they can do, but that isn't true. Although they can't take part in in AKC organized and hosted events, they are included in agility events, under the sponsorship of the United States Dog Agility Association and the North American Dog Agility Club. Mixed breeds are also trained to be therapy and service dogs, as well as for search and rescue.