Mixed breed (dog)

Coat and looks how to spot one

any: short, medium, long, wiry, curly, smooth or double coat

Every mixed-breed dog is one of a kind. Body shape, ear set, tail carriage and coat type can come from any of the breeds or types in the dog's family tree, so two mixed-breed dogs rarely look alike. Free-living village and street dogs in many parts of the world tend towards a medium-sized, short-coated, practical build, but household mixes can be anything from tiny and fluffy to large and wiry.12

Personality what they are like

There is no single mixed-breed temperament: each dog's personality reflects its particular ancestry, upbringing and life experience. Many are adaptable, resourceful and people-friendly, and street dogs in some cities have been noted for learning to handle busy urban life with remarkable ease. Meeting the individual dog, and asking a shelter or rescue about its behaviour, is the best way to know what it will be like.12

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Depends on size, age and ancestry: a mix with working or herding breeds in its background usually wants more exercise and mental work than a small companion-type mix. Mixed breeds can compete in agility, obedience, rally, tracking, Fast CAT and flyball, which are great outlets for energetic dogs.5

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Set by the coat the dog actually has: short smooth coats need an occasional brush, double coats need regular brushing during shedding, and curly or long coats (for example poodle crosses) need frequent brushing and periodic trimming. Nail trims, ear checks and tooth care apply to every dog.17

Home where they are happiest

Mixed-breed dogs live everywhere, from flats to farms. Match the home to the individual: a larger, active mix needs more space and outdoor time, while a small mix can be content in a smaller home with regular walks.12

Company who they like around

Like all domestic dogs, mixed breeds are social animals that do best with daily company, positive training and chances to meet people and other dogs. Village and street dogs often live alongside people as community dogs, showing how closely dogs are tied to human life.2

The story where it all began

For most of history almost every dog was what we would now call a mixed breed or landrace; closed, pedigree breeds with written standards are a largely 19th-century invention. Free-ranging village and street dogs, which still make up most of the world's dogs, continue this ancient pattern, and some regional types such as the Indian pariah dog are seen as close to early domestic dogs. In pet homes, mixed breeds have long been common, and deliberate crosses between two breeds (often called designer dogs, such as poodle crosses) became fashionable from the late 20th century. Kennel clubs have increasingly welcomed them: The Royal Kennel Club started the Scruffts crossbreed show in 2000, the AKC opened its sports to mixed breeds through Canine Partners in 2009-2010, and Westminster opened its agility championship to them in 2014. DNA breed tests now let owners explore their dog's ancestry, although the AKC does not accept them as proof of breed.12896

Recognised by the official bits

AKC

Not a breed and not eligible for conformation shows, but mixed-breed dogs can enrol in the AKC Canine Partners programme (announced 14 April 2009, enrolment from 1 October 2009, competition from 1 April 2010) and earn titles in agility, obedience, rally, tracking, Fast CAT coursing and the Canine Good Citizen programme. AKC reports over 1 million dogs enrolled since 2009.11

The Royal Kennel Club

Runs Scruffts, a national show for crossbreed dogs started in 2000 and judged on character and temperament rather than a breed standard; since 2013 the final has been held at Crufts in Birmingham.8

Westminster Kennel Club

Mixed-breed dogs have been allowed to enter the Masters Agility Championship since it began in 2014.6

Popularity 42% of dogs in the Dogs Trust 2024 National Dog Survey (UK) were crossbreeds, with nearly 10% being mixes of unknown breeds7

How many Estimated 150 million mixed-breed dogs worldwide (no year given); separately, about 75% of an estimated 700-900 million dogs worldwide are free-ranging12