INTRODUCTION

A mixed breed dog is a testament to nature. Without any input – some would say interference – from humans, the mixed breed defies description. They come in all sizes, shapes, colours and patterns, and may have a long or short muzzle. They may have pointed or floppy ears. They can have a stubby tail, spindly legs, a giant spot over the left eye… or all three… The combinations of parent breeds are as endless as the possibilities for mixed breed dogs. Luckily, you can find many of these puppies in shelters and foster homes. Adopt. Don’t buy. And as the quintessential family dog, the mixed breed excels where the purebred does not. Coming from a wider and more diverse gene pool, their intensity is gentler than their purebred cousins; their impulses and compulsions are milder. However, the mutt’s loyalty, warmth and deep desire to please remain as fiercely intact as any dog you can create.

HIGHLIGHTS

Your mongrel, like all dogs, is an individual. Don’t prejudge his temperament based on his appearance, or expect him to act a certain way just because he looks like a dog you had as a child. Love him on his own terms, and your love will be rewarded.

HISTORY

Long ago, before man imprinted his preferences on the dog population, there was not much difference between one dog and another. They were medium-sized, brown in colour and most had short coats; even today, semi-free-ranging dogs living on the fringes of human life look somewhat similar. Climate does not seem to have much influence, as similar looking dogs appear from Australia to North America and Asia, although some have longer coats than others. When it is difficult to trace a mutt’s heritage, it may be because they come directly from this line of non-breeds that were never selectively bred. That is, they have never had a purebred ancestor, but many mixed breeds are actually mixed. That is, you can see a hint of Australian Cattle Dog, or Beagle, or Collie in their coat or shape or size. Being able to identify the breeds that contribute to this can help to understand their personalities, though of course it is only a partial story.