A

Affenpinscher
Afghan Hound
Africanis
Aidi
Airedale Terrier
Akbash Dog
Akita Inu
Alangu Mastiff
Alano Español
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
Alaskan Husky
Alaskan Klee Kai
Alaskan Malamute
Alaunt
Alopekis
Alpine Dachsbracke
Alsatian Shepalute
American Akita
American Bulldog
American Cocker Spaniel
American Eskimo Dog
American Foxhound
American Hairless Terrier
American Mastiff
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie
Appenzeller Sennenhund
Argentine Dogo
Ariege Pointer
Ariegeois
Armant
Artois Hound
Australian Bulldog
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Kelpie
Australian Shepherd
Australian Silky Terrier
Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
Australian Terrier
Austrian Black and Tan Hound
Austrian Pinscher
Azawakh

B

Bakharwal Dog
Bandog
Barbet
Basenji
Basque Shepherd Dog
Basset Artésien Normand
Basset Bleu de Gascogne
Basset Fauve de Bretagne
Bavarian Mountain Hound
Beagle
Beagle-Harrier
Bearded Collie
Beauceron
Bedlington Terrier
Belgian Shepherd Dog
Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael)
Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois)
Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois)
Belgian Shepherd Tervuren
Bergamasco Shepherd
Berger Blanc Suisse
Berger Picard
Berner Laufhund
Bernese Mountain Dog
Bichon Frisé
Billy
Bisben
Black Norwegian Elkhound
Black Russian Terrier
Black and Tan Coonhound
Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound
Blackmouth Cur
Bloodhound
Blue Lacy
Blue Paul Terrier
Bluetick Coonhound
Boerboel
Bohemian Shepherd
Bolognese
Border Collie
Border Terrier
Borzoi
Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound
Boston Terrier
Bouvier des Ardennes
Bouvier des Flandres
Boxer
Boykin Spaniel
Bracco Italiano
Braque Francais
Braque Saint-Germain
Braque d'Auvergne
Braque du Bourbonnais
Braque du Puy
Brazilian Terrier
Briard
Briquet Griffon Vendéen
Brittany
Broholmer
Bruno Jura Hound
Bucovina Shepherd Dog
Bull Terrier
Bull Terrier (Miniature)
Bull and Terrier
Bullmastiff
Bully Kutta

C

Cairn Terrier
Canaan Dog
Canadian Eskimo Dog
Canadian Pointer
Cane Corso
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Carolina Dog
Carpathian Shepherd Dog
Catahoula Cur
Catalan Sheepdog
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Central Asian Shepherd Dog
Cesky Fousek
Cesky Terrier
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chien Français Blanc et Noir
Chien Français Blanc et Orange
Chien Français Tricolore
Chihuahua
Chilean Fox Terrier
Chinese Chongqing Dog
Chinese Crested Dog
Chinese Imperial Dog
Chinook
Chippiparai
Chow Chow
Cimarrón Uruguayo
Cirneco dell'Etna
Clumber Spaniel
Combai
Cordoba Fighting Dog
Coton de Tulear
Cretan Hound
Croatian Sheepdog
Curly Coated Retriever
Czechoslovakian Wolfdog
Cão Fila de São Miguel
Cão da Serra de Aires
Cão de Castro Laboreiro

D

Dachshund
Dalmatian
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Danish Swedish Farmdog
Dingo
Doberman Pinscher
Dogo Cubano
Dogo Guatemalteco
Dogo Sardesco
Dogue de Bordeaux
Drentse Patrijshond
Drever
Dunker
Dutch Shepherd Dog
Dutch Smoushond

E

East Siberian Laika
East-European Shepherd
Elo
English Cocker Spaniel
English Coonhound
English Foxhound
English Mastiff
English Setter
English Shepherd
English Springer Spaniel
English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)
English White Terrier
Entlebucher Mountain Dog
Estonian Hound
Estrela Mountain Dog
Eurasier

F

Field Spaniel
Fila Brasileiro
Finnish Hound
Finnish Lapphund
Finnish Spitz
Flat-Coated Retriever
Formosan Mountain Dog
Fox Terrier (Smooth)
French Brittany
French Bulldog
French Spaniel

G

Galgo Español
German Longhaired Pointer
German Pinscher
German Shepherd Dog
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Spaniel
German Spitz
German Wirehaired Pointer
Giant Schnauzer
Giant Schnauzer
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Golden Retriever
Gordon Setter
Gran Mastín de Borínquen
Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir
Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange
Grand Anglo-Français Tricolore
Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
Grand Bleu de Gascogne
Grand Griffon Vendéen
Great Dane
Great Pyrenees
Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
Greenland Dog
Greyhound
Griffon Bleu de Gascogne
Griffon Bruxellois
Griffon Fauve de Bretagne
Griffon Nivernais
Gull Dong
Gull Terr

H

Hamiltonstövare
Hanover Hound
Hare Indian Dog
Harrier
Havanese
Hawaiian Poi Dog
Himalayan Sheepdog
Hokkaido
Hortaya Borzaya
Hovawart
Hungarian Hound
Hygenhund

I

Ibizan Hound
Icelandic Sheepdog
Indian Spitz
Irish Bull Terrier
Irish Red and White Setter
Irish Setter
Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Irish Terrier
Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Wolfhound
Istrian coarse-haired Hound
Istrian short-haired Hound
Italian Greyhound

J

Jack Russell Terrier
Jagdterrier
Japanese Chin
Japanese Spitz
Japanese Terrier
Jonangi
Jämthund

K

Kai Ken
Kaikadi
Kangal Dog
Kanni
Karakachan Dog
Karelian Bear Dog
Karst Shepherd
Keeshond
Kerry Beagle
Kerry Blue Terrier
King Charles Spaniel
King Shepherd
Kintamani
Kishu
Komondor
Kooikerhondje
Koolie
Korean Jindo Dog
Korean Mastiff
Kromfohrländer
Kunming Wolf-dog
Kuvasz
Kyi-Leo

L

Labrador Husky
Labrador Retriever
Lagotto Romagnolo
Lakeland Terrier
Lancashire Heeler
Landseer
Lapponian Herder
Large Münsterländer
Leonberger
Lhasa Apso
Lithuanian Hound
Longhaired Whippet
Lottatore Brindisino
Lurcher
Löwchen

M

Magyar Agár
Majestic Tree Hound
Maltese
Manchester Terrier
Maremma Sheepdog
McNab
Mexican Hairless Dog
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Miniature Fox Terrier
Miniature Pinscher
Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Schnauzer
Miniature Siberian Husky
Mioritic
Mongrel / Mixed
Montenegrin Mountain Hound
Moscow Watchdog
Mountain Cur
Mountain View Cur
Mucuchies
Mudhol Hound
Mudi
Murray River Curly Coated Retriever

N

Neapolitan Mastiff
New Guinea Singing Dog
New Zealand Huntaway
Newfoundland
Norfolk Terrier
Norrbottenspets
Northern Inuit Dog
Norwegian Buhund
Norwegian Elkhound
Norwegian Lundehund
Norwich Terrier
Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever

O

Old Croatian Sighthound
Old Danish Pointer
Old English Bulldog
Old English Sheepdog
Old English Terrier
Old German Shepherd Dog
Olde English Bulldogge
Otterhound

P

Pachon Navarro
Papillon
Parson Russell Terrier
Patterdale Terrier
Pekingese
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Perro de Presa Canario
Perro de Presa Mallorquin
Peruvian Hairless Dog
Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
Petit Bleu de Gascogne
Phalène
Pharaoh Hound
Picardy Spaniel
Plott Hound
Podenco Canario
Pointer (dog breed)
Polish Greyhound
Polish Hound
Polish Hunting Dog
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Polish Tatra Sheepdog
Pomeranian
Pont-Audemer Spaniel
Poodle
Porcelaine
Portuguese Podengo
Portuguese Pointer
Portuguese Water Dog
Pražský Krysařík
Pudelpointer
Pug
Puli
Pumi
Pungsan Dog
Pyrenean Mastiff
Pyrenean Shepherd

R

Rafeiro do Alentejo
Rampur Greyhound
Rat Terrier
Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz
Redbone Coonhound
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Rough Collie
Russell Terrier
Russian Spaniel
Russkiy Toy
Russo-European Laika

S

Saarlooswolfhond
Sabueso Español
Sage Koochee
Sakhalin Husky
Saluki
Samoyed
Sapsali
Schapendoes
Schillerstövare
Schipperke
Schweizer Laufhund
Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund
Scotch Collie
Scottish Deerhound
Scottish Terrier
Sealyham Terrier
Segugio Italiano
Seppala Siberian Sleddog
Serbian Hound
Serbian Tricolour Hound
Shar Pei
Shetland Sheepdog
Shiba Inu
Shih Tzu
Shikoku
Shiloh Shepherd Dog
Siberian Husky
Silken Windhound
Sinhala Hound
Skye Terrier
Sloughi
Slovak Cuvac
Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer
Slovenský Kopov
Small Greek Domestic Dog
Small Münsterländer
Smooth Collie
Smålandsstövare
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
South Russian Ovcharka
Southern Hound
Spanish Mastiff
Spanish Water Dog
Spinone Italiano
Sporting Lucas Terrier
St. Bernard
St. John's Water Dog
Stabyhoun
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Standard Schnauzer
Stephens Cur
Styrian Coarse Haired Hound
Sussex Spaniel
Swedish Beagle
Swedish Lapphund
Swedish Vallhund

T

Tahltan Bear Dog
Taigan
Tamaskan Dog
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
Telomian
Tenterfield Terrier
Thai Bangkaew Dog
Thai Ridgeback
Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Spaniel
Tibetan Terrier
Tornjak
Tosa
Toy Bulldog
Toy Fox Terrier
Toy Manchester Terrier
Treeing Cur
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Tyrolean Hound

U

Utonagan

V

Vizsla
Volpino Italiano

W

Weimaraner
Welsh Sheepdog
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Welsh Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
West Siberian Laika
Westphalian Dachsbracke
Wetterhoun
Whippet
White English Bulldog
White Shepherd Dog
Wire Fox Terrier
Wire-haired Vizsla
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Y

Yorkshire Terrier

É

Épagneul Bleu de Picardie

Š

Šarplaninac

Mongrel / Mixed

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A mixed-breed dog, also called a mutt, mongrel, tyke, cur, bitzer, or random-bred dog, is a dog that has characteristics of two or more types of breeds, or is a descendant of feral or pariah dog populations. The term mixed-breed can be a misnomer. Along with the term purebred dog, the idea that such dogs are a mix of defined breeds stems from an inverted understanding of the origins of dog breeds. Pure breeds have been, for the most part, artificially created by human selective breeding to enhance one or another desired physical or temperamental characteristic. Dogs that are not pure bred are not necessarily a mix of such defined breeds.

In contrast, the term crossbreed refers to dogs produced by the intentional crossing of two different known purebred dog breeds. The term "mutt" or mixed-breed generally refers to a dog of unknown descent. Dogs interbreed freely, except where extreme variations in size exist, so mixed-breed dogs vary in size, shape, and color, making them difficult to classify physically.

Terms for mixed-breed dogs

There is a profusion of words and phrases used for dogs that are not purebred. The words cur, tyke, mutt and mongrel are used, sometimes in a derogatory manner. In the United Kingdom mongrel is the unique technical word for a mixed-breed dog. North Americans generally prefer the term mix or mixed-breed. Mutt is also used (in the U.S.A and Canada), and can be used in an affectionate manner. In Hawaii, mixed-breed dogs are referred to as poi dog, and in the Bahamas, they call them Pot Cakes (referring to the table-leftovers they are fed). Some American registries and dog clubs that accept mixed-breed dogs use the breed name All American. In South Africa, the tongue-in cheek expression pavement special is sometimes used as a description for a mixed-breed dog. Random-bred dog, mutt, and mongrel are often used for dogs who result from breeding without the supervision or planning of humans, especially after several generations, whereas crossbreed implies mixes of known breeds, sometimes deliberately mated.

In Brazil and the Dominican Republic, the name for mixed-breed dogs is vira-lata (trash-can tipper) because there are dogs without owners that feed on urban garbage on the streets, and often knock over trash cans to reach the food.

In the Philippines, they are often called "askals", a Tagalog-derived contraction of "asong kalye" or street dog.

Slang terms are also common. Heinz 57 or Heinz is often used for dogs of uncertain ancestry, in a playful reference to the "57 Varieties" slogan of the H. J. Heinz Company. In some countries, bitsa (or bitzer) is common, meaning "bits o' this, bits o' that". A fice or feist is a small mixed-breed dog. In Newfoundland, a smaller mixed-breed dog is known as a cracky, hence the colloquial expression "saucy as a cracky" for someone with a sharp tongue.

To complicate matters, many owners of crossbreed dogs identify them—often facetiously—by an invented breed name constructed from parts of their parents' breed names. These are known as portmanteau names. For example, a cross between a Pekingese and a Poodle is called a Peekapoo, possibly a play on peek-a-boo, along with the Goldendoodle, a cross between a poodle and a golden retriever. As another example, one of the UK's Queen Elizabeth II's famous Corgis mated with her sister's Dachshund, and the resulting offspring were referred to as Dorgis.Another example is a Shorkie Tzu, which is a cross between a Shih Tzu and Yorkshire Terrior.

Appearance

Dogs that are descended from many generations of mixes are typically light brown or black and weigh about 18 kg (40 lb). They typically stand between 38 and 57 cm (15 and 23 inches) tall at the withers.

Determining ancestry

Guessing a mixed-breed's ancestry is difficult for even knowledgeable dog observers, because mixed-breeds have much more genetic variation than among purebreds. For example, two black mixed-breed dogs might each have recessive genes that produce a blond coat and, therefore, produce offspring looking unlike their parents.

Starting in 2007, blood samples and cheek swabs have become available to the public to narrow down the ancestry of mixed-breed dogs. The companies claim their DNA-based diagnostic test that can genetically determine the breed composition of mixed-breed dogs. These tests are still limited in scope because only a small number of the hundreds of dog breeds have been validated against the tests, and because the same breed in different geographical areas could have different genetic profiles. Also, the tests do not test for breed purity, but for genetic sequences that are common to certain breeds. With a mixed-breed dog, the test is not proof of pure-bred ancestry, but rather an indication that those dogs share common ancestry with certain purebreds.

Health

A healthy mixed-breed with shiny coat and bright eyes.

The theory of hybrid vigor suggests that as a group, dogs of varied ancestry will be healthier than their purebred counterparts. In purebred dogs, intentionally breeding dogs of very similar appearance over several generations produces animals that carry many of the same alleles, some of which are detrimental. This is especially true if the dogs are closely related. This inbreeding among purebreds has exposed various genetic health problems not readily apparent in less uniform populations. Mixed-breed dogs are more genetically diverse due to the more haphazard nature of their parents' mating. "Haphazard" is not the same as "random" to a geneticist. The offspring of such matings are less likely to express certain genetic disorders because there is a decreased chance that both parents carry the same detrimental recessive alleles. However, some deleterious recessives are common across many seemingly unrelated breeds, and therefore merely mixing breeds is no guarantee of genetic health.

The declining overall health of many purebreds is also leading to a decline in the popularity of mixed-breed dogs, especially with the "designer dog" cross-breeding fads. In fact, crossbreeding two poor specimens together does not guarantee the resulting offspring will be healthier than the parents because the offspring could easily inherit the worst traits of both parents. This is commonly seen in dogs from puppy mills. Healthy traits have been lost in many purebred dogs lines because many breeders of showdogs are more interested in conformation - the physical attributes of the dogs in relation to the breed standard - than in the health and working temperament for which the dog was originally bred.

Not all damaging genes are recessive, and there are relatively few single-gene traits. Purebred and mixed-breed dogs are equally susceptible to non-genetic ailments, such as rabies, distemper, injury, and infestation by parasites.

Several studies have shown that mixed-breed dogs have a health advantage. A German study finds that "Mongrels require less veterinary treatment". Studies in Sweden have found that "Mongrel dogs are less prone to many diseases than the average purebred dog" and, referring to death rates, “Mongrels were consistently in the low risk category”. Another study reports that “The median age at death was 8,5 years for all mixed-breed dogs and 6,7 years for all pure breed dogs... For each weight group, the age at death of pure breed dogs was significantly less than for mixed-breed dogs”, and a study in Denmark finds that "Higher average longevity of mixed-breed dogs (grouped together).

Types of mixed-breeding

Most dog breeds are a result of human selection. Existing dog breeds began as mixed-breeds, either random-bred or by deliberate crosses of existing breeds. Encouraging desirable traits and discouraging others, breeders sought to create their ideal appearance or behavior, or both, for dogs, and, additionally, to ensure that the dogs could consistently produce offspring with the same appearance or behavior.

Mixed-breed dogs can be divided roughly into four types:

The generic pariah dog is believed to resemble the body form and appearance of the ancestral Canis lupus familiaris from which other dog breeds were derived.

Crossbreed dogs, which are mixtures of two recognized breeds. Dogs that result from two different purebred parents are known as crossbreeds. Some crossbreeds have traits that make them popular enough to be frequently bred deliberately, such as the Cockapoo—a cross between a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel—and the Labradoodle, which crosses a Labrador Retriever with a Poodle. Other crossbreeds occur when breeders are hoping to create new breeds to add and reinforce characteristics from one breed into another breed. Most crossbreedings, however, occur accidentally.
Mixes that show characteristics of two or more breeds. A mix might have some purebred ancestors, or might come from a long line of mixed-breeds. These dogs are usually identified by the breed they most resemble, such as a "Lab mix" or "Collie-Shepherd", even if their ancestry is unknown.
The generic pariah dog, or feral Canis lupus familiaris, where non-selective breeding has occurred over many generations. The term originally referred to the wild dogs of India, but now refers to dogs belonging to or descended from a population of wild or feral dogs. The Canaan Dog is an example of a recognized breed with pariah ancestry. Pariah dogs tend to be yellow to light brown and of medium height and weight. This may represent the appearance of the modern dog's ancestor. DNA analysis has shown pariah dogs to have a more ancient gene pool than modern breeds.
Functional breeds, which are purpose-bred, pedigreed dogs whose ancestors are not purebred, but rather are selected by their performance at a particular tasks. Examples of this are the Alaskan Husky, the Eurohound, and the Pointer/Greyhound mixes referred to as Greysters, which compete at skijoring and pulka races, particularly in Europe. The distinction between a "mix" and a "breed" is less distinct in these cases, and occasionally a functional breed such as this becomes accepted as a breed over time.

There is no scientific justification for the belief that a purebred dam is in any way tainted after mating with a dog of another breed. Future matings with dogs of the same breed will produce purebred puppies.

Mixed-breeds in dog sports

Mixed-breed dogs can excel at dog sports, such as obedience, dog agility, flyball, and frisbee. Often, highly energetic mixed-breeds are left with shelters or rescue groups, where they are sought by owners with the caring, patience, and drive to train them for dog sports, turning unwanted dogs into healthy, mentally and physically stimulated award winners.

Until the early 1980s, mixed-breed dogs were usually excluded from obedience competitions. However, starting with the American Mixed Breed Obedience Registry (AMBOR) and the Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America (MBDCA), which created obedience venues in which mixed-breed dogs could compete, more opportunities have opened up for all dogs in all dog sports. Most dog agility and flyball organizations have always allowed mixed-breed dogs to compete. Today, mixed-breeds have proved their worth in many performance sports.

In conformation shows, where dogs' conformation to a breed standard is evaluated, mixed-breed dogs normally cannot compete. For purebred dogs, their physical characteristics are judged against a single breed standard. Mixed-breed dogs, however, are difficult to classify except according to height; there is tremendous variation in physical traits such as coat, skeletal structure, gait, ear set, eye shape and color, and so on. When conformation standards are applied to mixed-breed dogs, such as in events run by the MBDCA, the standards are usually general traits of health, soundness, symmetry, and personality. The Kennel Club (UK) operates a show called Scruffts (a name derived from its prestigious Crufts show) open only to mixed-breeds in which dogs are judged on character, health, and temperament. Some kennel clubs, whose purpose is to promote purebred dogs, still exclude mixed-breeds from their performance events. The AKC and the FCI are two such prominent organizations. While the AKC does allow mixed-breed dogs to earn their Canine Good Citizen award, mixed-breed dogs are not permitted to enter AKC "all breed" events.

Advantages and drawbacks

The mature appearance and behavior of purebred puppies may be more predictable than that of mixed-breeds, including cross-breeds. With purebred dogs, genetic variations are well documented and a reputable breeder has a fair estimation of what type of offspring a given pair will produce. Still, there is variation within breeds; for example, two champion sheep-herding Border Collies might produce offspring with no interest in sheep herding.

Some trainers believe mixed-breeds exhibit higher average intelligence than purebreds, but others believe mixes are no more intelligent than purebreds. Both sets feature both slow learners and dogs with high learning capacity.

Studies that have been done in this area show that mixed-breeds on average are both healthier and longer-lived than their purebred cousins. This is because current accepted breeding practices within the pedigreed community results in a reduction in genetic diversity, and can result in physical characteristics that lead to disabilities

Many people enjoy owning mixed-breeds, valuing their unique appearance and characteristics. While purebred dogs exhibit little variability of appearance within their breed, mixed-breed dogs exhibit often unique appearances. Although some dog owners prefer the status of owning a specific breed of dog or have a nostalgic attachment to a breed they wish to acquire, many others enjoy mixed-breed dogs that exhibit characteristics similar to their favorite breeds.

Studies have shown that cross-bred dogs have a number of desirable reproductive traits. Scott and Fuller found that cross-bred dogs were superior mothers compared to purebred mothers, producing more milk and giving better care. These advantages led to a decreased mortality in the offspring of cross-bred dogs.

Some owners value a dog's pedigree as a status symbol and, therefore, have no use for mixed-breed dogs; others appreciate or have an emotional attachment to the physical or behavioral traits of certain breeds; still others ignore pedigree and, instead, value a dog's personality and health.

Local animal shelters adopt out dogs of both purebred and mixed ancestry, emphasizing each dog's personality and suitability as a companion for each potential owner's lifestyle.

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