Differences Between Hybrid Dogs and Mutts

The main differences between designer or hybrid dogs and mutts or mongrels are money and paperwork. Hybrid dogs are coordinated crosses between two dog breeds, while who knows how many dog breeds were involved in the creation of a single mongrel. The dogs themselves often make the selection of mates, which is one reason why mongrels are referred to as "random-bred".

Both hybrid dogs and mutts make great pets and companions, as long as you are willing to take the time and energy to spend several hours with them every day. They need daily exercise, quality food and should be kept indoors. Although some mutts and hybrid dogs are tough enough to live outside, both of them can fall victim to thieves and psychopaths.

The Hybrid Dog

Technically, these dogs are not hybrids. A hybrid really means a cross between two species, such as a horse and a donkey mating to produce a mule. But in the 1990s, the label "hybrid" stuck onto dogs that were crosses between two purebreds and the name has stuck. The dog does not specifically have to have two purebred parents. One parent may be a hybrid. Any percentage of the two breeds is usually allowed, as long as only those two breeds are in the mix.

They often have comical names, such as the Puggle (Pug X Beagle) or the Peke-a-Poo (Pekingese X Poodle). Some of the crosses work much better than others. For example, the guide dog program in the UK specifically breeds crosses between golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers (This is sometimes known as the Golden Labrador). However, they also train the purebreds used in the crossbred breeding program.

Proponents of hybrid dogs claim they are better than mutts because the resulting puppy will have predictable tendencies. These tendencies come from the two pure breeds. However, anyone who has ever met two dogs of the same breed knows that this theory is poppycock. Even dogs of the same litter can grow up to have markedly different sizes, temperaments and health problems.

The Mighty Mutt

Some of the most popular dog types in the world are mutts. These include pit bulls and lurchers. 53% of American dogs are mutts. These are dogs bred to perform a specific function and share a general body type but are not purebreds or even hybrids. They are part of the mighty mutts because they contribute a large part of their genes to the general mongrel population.

Part of the appeal of mutts is that each dog looks unique. Have you ever walked into a room full of Maltese dogs? It's like being in a deleted scene of Attack of the Clones. But if you have a mongrel, your dog looks a lot different from any other dog on the block. They are also usually more sensible and calmer than a purebred. This could be because people seem more ready to neuter mongrels than purebreds. But I currently own two dogs -- a mongrel and a purebred. The purebred is as dumb as a box of rocks and more neurotic than a thoroughbred racehorse.

Finally, mutts do not cost anywhere near the price of a pug or a Puggle. They tend to find you so that the match has a better chance of succeeding than for a purebred or hybrid, where the dog has no choice in the matter.

References

"Intelligent and Loyal: A Celebration of the Mongrel." Jilly Cooper. Corgi Books; 1981.

Guide Dogs for the Blind. "Brood Bitch Holders." http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/helpus/volunteering/what-you-can-do-to-volunteer/brood-bitch-holders/

Dog Breed Info. "Designer Dogs (Hybrid Dogs)." http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/designerdogs.htm

Psychology Today. "A National Consensus on Mixed Breed Dogs." Stanley Coren, Ph.D. June 28, 2011. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/canine-corner/201106/national-census-mixed-breed-dogs

Author's personal experience