Mixed Breed

I now own a Shih tzu/Yorkie mix and he is a very energetic, smart, lovable little guy. He is a picky eater, though. He's only 5 months old so we are still in the learning and training phases.

Mixed breed dogs can have better genetics than purebred dogs, key word being can. Maybe not a mutt but what they call a designer dog can definitely. For example I have a boston terrier/pug mix. We didn't want a straight pug because they can have health problems. Mixing it with a boston makes its neck longer, its snout slightly longer, it's legs longer, and mixing the boston with the pug make the boston temperament sweeter and more laid back, essentially getting the best of both breeds and cancelling out a lot of the bad traits each breed has. Our Boston pug is still really tenacious though but sweet as a button, I recommend this dog. If you're a first time dog owner though, remember to put the dog in it's place, the boston will come out of it and try to be bossy, you have to let her know whose boss.

Well excuse all of us rae8610.... A dog is a dog and no matter what mix it takes to make them. You must have thought you were on a different page because I believe the title of this review is "Mixed Breed" not "Designer" as you reffered to in most of your review. Many mixed breed dogs have less health issues and longer life spans than pure breed dogs. I personally have no problems with the dogs you refer to as "Designer" dogs, you just seem like a person on a power trip trying to tell everyone how to spend their money like Nancy Pelosi. If someone wants to spend a $1000 dollars on a "Desinger" dog, well damn it good for them. Another fact about dogs is they all have defective genes. The majority of parents producing these mixed breed dogs usually posses defective genes different from one another. The results of this is significant because defective genes that match are what cause many health problems in dogs. Crossbred dogs also aquire a wider variety of genes than purered dogs do. Va... Read more

I have a labrador/border collie who is just perfect. She is patient with children, loves to chase and be chased, retrieves balls/frisbees with enthusiasm, accompanies me on my runs without being on the lead, is healthy, and is so easy to train that my ten year old son trained her to shut doors after herself. She is fine on her own at night or when we are all out at work, and friendly to anyone who comes to the house. Bad points? She is wary of other dogs - will often bark ferociously but if they come back at her she puts her tail between her legs and makes off. She has a few dog friends that she's known since she was a pup, but mostly she is not interested in other dogs - she prefers people. I don't know if she protects the house when we're not there - she has a loud bark but I'm not sure she would frighten anybody! As my dad would say, she might give a burglar a nasty lick....

With the exception of one Irish Setter, all of my pets growing up and the two we have now were unidentifiable mutts from the Humane Society. And either by good luck or general human/dog compatibility they have all been excellent additions to the family. There's something about the French/Icelandic/Scots/Englishman in me that loves a mixed breed pet.

There are a few important things you can almost guarantee when you adopt a mutt: First and foremost, he didn't experience the first few weeks or months of his life in a puppy mill. This is significant because it can have a tremendous impact on trainability in the future. Second, you're not getting the product of a multi-generational genetics experiment gone wrong. Thanks to having a few breeds in the mix, mutts can be less susceptible to some of the hereditary problems their purebred ancestors have. Regardless of whether you get a mutt or a purebred, I urge everyone to ADOPT their next dog (or cat) from the Humane Society or ASPCA.

Something about the mutt that I am loves a mutt. If you gotta guess what the dog is put together out of, sign me the hell up.

You don't know what you're getting, and for a control freak like me who hates surprises that is not a good thing. But sometimes a DNA test will eliminate any surprises. Getting a mutt can cut down on genetic problems, but since genetics are funny, there is no guarantee that your particular dog will be healthy and free of defect. I agree with others that adoption is the way to go, and I seriously recommend researching any breed or breed/mix you get.

Muts have their appeal, but they are also known to come with health and behavior issues depending on the breeds that were mixed.

nothing wrong with a mutt:). i had two growing up, one was a lab/shepherd mix and he was a sweetie to everyone and the other was a lab beagle mix and he was so fun to take places. he loved car rides!

My mom's Siberian Husky/German Shepherd mix is by far the smartest dog I have ever met. She's beautiful too.

most of my dogs have been mixed breeds . there is nothing wrong w/ having a mutt :)

Both of my dogs are mixed breeds... one is a Yorkie/Sheltie and the other is a Dachshund mix. My yorkie mix is soo unique looking and super smart. My doxie is a sweet, docile little thing. The best part about mutts is that they aren't born in puppy mills!

There's nothing like a pure mutt!

healthiest dogs on earth

The best type of dog!

One of my three dogs is a mutt. I rescued her from the streets in Guatemala and she probably wouldn´t have lived another week if I hadn´t. She had parasites, mange, skin funguses, fleas, other bugs i had NEVER seen before, and she was incredibly skinny. She had to live outside in a box for the first month that she was with us because she was so sick and couldn´t be with the other dogs. At first she was very afraid and I had to carry her to the vet and back. I spent time talking to her and scratching her behind the ear and after a few days when I stopped scratching her she would take a few steps toward me. After a few days she also started getting up to eat, rather than me having to put food in front of her face. After about a week when she heard me wake up in the morning she would start whining until i went out to see her where she would jump into my lap and try to lick my face. She´s all better now, after just 3 months and she is a wonderful loving dog. She also gets along great with ... Read more

I believe that most mutts are very sweet-natured dogs. Two of my three dogs are mutts, and they are easily trained, love people, and don't usually bark. One of these is a Pit Bull X terrier mix. The other is some kind of Hound mix. Both were bought in a shelter. On the other hand, my Jack Russell Terrier is a pain. He barks- constantly. He is not easily trained and he sheds wayy more than the other two dogs. This dog was bought from a breeder, for 3 times as much as the mutts. Also, a lot of purebreeds have health issues that cannot be avoided, as the diseases usually run throughout the breed.

They say these mutts make the best dogs. I believe it.

Both of my dogs are mutts. Jasmine a one a 3 year old terrier mix, and the other a 16 week shepard/pitt.hound mix. They are both great dogs! Our rescued 3 YO girl came to us with major trust and fear issues. We were lucky that she wasn't fear aggressive. She is doing MUCH better after only 4 month's. A recent finding of lyme disease and treatment of it has had a big impact on her getting better mentally, and becoming less fearful of poeple, as well as the new addition of Lucian, our 16 week old pup. He is Extremely smart but he needs a LOT of direction and gets distracted very easily. ALL DOGS need to be trained. All dogs need to be taut what their job is and all dogs need love... in that order. I would never own a pure breed again. =)

Hi.. I have a pure breed schnauzer female, and a male schnoodle (schnauzer cross poodle) Would it be ok if I breed them together, or is that a bad idea?

love rescue mutts

theres nothin wrong with having a mixed breed. some of them look better than full bred dogs anyway

good pets because they are not that high stung

Some are good. My first dog was mixed.

WE have an ORI~PEI which is a mix of a pug and shar~pei. He is the bear coat so he has the long hair longer than an inch which is not show material. He is middle sized 15 inches and 45 lbs. He is complimented all the time by people when taken to petco or petsmart or out for walks everyone wants to know what he is! He is a sweet puppy 7 months old right now! Love him to the MAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He has a very nice disposition and is friendly! LOVE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

some are cute

depends on the breeds.

I love a good mutt but what is up with society today that sells mutts for the same price as a pure breed. I am not getting it obviously

Terrier mutts are great. Small but fiesty and very few medical issues due to larger gene pool than purebreds.

Seems like a mix is a better dog, at times!!!

Depends on the breeds...

Mixed breed dogs are known to be the best companions. :)

aka M U T T S ! ! ! i gots one hes kinda ugly but lovable

Doubling up on breeds that have common health problems has to be, by far, the dumbest breeding ethic out there. These breeders clearly have no medical awareness of what they are doing and unfortunately neither do the poor innocent pet owners being scammed into buying these dogs. These breeders claim no health testing is needed for this newly developed breed because they are so healthy.Labradoodle = Labrador Retriever + Poodle Size: Miniature 12-16 inches; Medium 17-20 inches; Standard 21-24 inches Color: Any/All Disposition: Responsive, friendly Health Issues;Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Patella Luxation, Hip/Elbow Dysplasia, HypothyroidismGoldendoodle = Golden Retriever + Poodle Size: 21-24 inches or larger Color: gold Disposition: Responsive, alert Health Issues; Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Patella Luxation, Hip/Elbow Dysplasia, HypothyroidismCockapoo = Cocker Spaniel + Poodle Size: Teacup Toy under 10 inches, 4 lbs.; Toy 10 inches, 10 lbs.; Miniature 10-14 inches, 10-20 lbs.; Stand... Read more

The best usually...they rarely have health problems and are usually of mild temperaments since they aren't pigeon-holed by DNA and people's perceptions

Depends on the mix,I suppose.

There is ample evidence that mixed breeds, whether dogs or some other animal, have a range of benefits, such as maximising hybrid vigour and lessening inbreeding depression, which impact on their health, longevity, etc.  An informative page on this which may be of interest is at this link.

Pretty smart dogs usually.

That's my Bella!!!

Mutts are the best! If you thin kabout it though all dogs are mutts except ones from the wild and stuff! This is because most breeds that are around man created! So really there isn't very many "pure bred" dogs out there! Like labs and such! Do you really think that they are just naturaly found? No we mixed up a couple of dog breeds to get them! So yah I would say that Mutts are awsome!

Who can resist a loveable mutt?

whats wrong with mixed breeds?they are sweet

Let's hear it for the mutts!

They make great pets, and you can often get them for free. I prefer them to be a little on the larger, friendlier side, it seems like a fair amount of black lab or golden retriever in them will usually do the trick.

We have two dogs. A shih tzu, and a mixed breed.Our mutt is a heinz 57, the vet says she thinks she may be some kind of terrier mix.Molly is a sweetheart and very smart. I have had mutts all my life and they make wonderful pets. We had a cocker-poo, who was very smart. we also had a mixed breed who was poodle and llasa apso. smart dog as well.I would easily encourage someone to get a mixed breed dog. Any of the mixed breeds we have had have make the best of pets.

Always own a mutt, they re the very best!

Having adopted our third dog, I can never see myself getting a purebreed. Sure - it is really tempting at times, most likely after watching the Westminster Dog Show! However, especially since I've been volunteering at our local shelter, I could never do so until stupid humans stop letting their pets breed at will. If there were no more mixes at the shelters - then maybe I'd consider a purebreed. However, like people - I think 'mutts' are so much more exotic & interesting. Plus - I'd beg to find any purebreed cuter than mine or other mixes I've known! Oh - and don't even get me started on this "designer" breed crap that's so popular now!~

We have all had mutts as pets, and most are great. There is something to be said for hybrid vigor!