What Is Considered a Mutt?

A mutt, also referred to as a mixed breed, is any dog that is not a purebred. The mixed-breed dog is an offspring of either two different purebred dogs or two different mixed breeds. Worldwide dog clubs, such as the American Kennel Club in the United States, do not recognize mixed breeds, although some owners prefer a mixed breed to a purebred for health reasons and other factors.

  1. Benefits

    • If you're looking for a unique companion, do not overlook a mixed-breed dog. Although you may not be sure of the dog̵7;s pedigree, mixed breeds have a grab bag of characteristics from their foundational breeds, leading to a one-of-a kind dog. The availability of mixed-breed dogs is higher than that of purebreds at your local shelter. In addition to rescuing a dog that needs a home, adopters may find that mixed-breed shelter dogs are less expensive and often healthier over time than a purebred.

    Health

    • Some veterinarians and breeders contend that mixed-breed dogs are healthier than purebreds. Inbreeding, which mates dogs in the same family, can perpetuate genetic diseases and unhealthy traits in purebreds. Although their temperament and size are often unpredictable, mixed breeds are less likely to share breed-specific problems with their purebred relatives. Additionally, mixed dogs may lose unwanted characteristics of one breed if bred with another. For example, a non-shedding dog mixed with a shedding breed may lead to a non-shedding dog.

    Designer Dogs

    • The demand for purposely bred hybrids has risen over the years. Breeders select a purebred dog, such as the poodle, to breed with other purebred dogs, such as Labrador retrievers, cocker spaniels and Yorkshire terriers. Fashioned as ̶0;designer̶1; dogs, they appeal to owners who feel they may get the best traits of both breeds. Fans of Labradoodles, for example, say they are non-shedding, with the fun personality of a lab and the smartness of a poodle.

    Recognition

    • Mixed breeds may gain recognition from organizations such as the AKC as a new purebred after meeting specific criteria. The AKC board of directors can add breeds to its recognized list after reviewing documented information of the mixed breed, such as breeding history, shared breed characteristics, known number and location of a particular mixed breed, and demonstrated public and dog club interest. Once the AKC recognizes a new breed, the breed can compete in AKC dog shows and events.