What is the difference between a mix and a mutt

First off: The fact that National Mutt Day is also referred to as National Mixed Breed Dog Day should tell you something—namely, that mutts and mixed-breeds are basically the same thing. Meaning that, as the latter name suggests, they are made up of more than one breed of dog. Whereas purebred dogs have registration papers that confirm the dog's single-breed pedigree, mutts aren't registered and each of their parents could be a mix of several breeds themselves.

Where it gets a little confusing is when you come to designer or hybrid dogs , where two specific breeds are intentionally cross-bred in order to create a sort of sub-breed that mixes the best traits of both pups like mating a poodle with a Labrador to get a Labradoodle.

Though designer dogs are extremely popular, they're essentially just fancy mutts. While the American Kennel Club AKC does offer some activities for mixed-breed dogs to take part in, the organization only formally recognizes purebred dogs on its official registry sorry Puggle lovers. With so many different types of dog breeds, what are the benefits of adopting a mutt? According to the dog lovers behind National Mutt Day , approximately 80 percent of all shelter dogs are mixed breeds.

And there are plenty of benefits to adopting a dog versus purchasing one: first, adopting a dog is almost always cheaper than purchasing one from a reputable breeder. And because there are so many dogs in shelters, and only so much room to accommodate them, adopting a dog means that you're potentially saving one dog's life and making room for another dog to move in to the shelter.

Of the 3. And when you get your mutt home, the benefits continue. According to some statistics, mutts can also have a longer life expectancy. Mutts are great in work situations, too, like serving as guide and therapy dogs or sniffing out drugs and bombs. They are a popular choice for pets all over the world. These types of dogs are created by intentionally combining existing breeds to form new ones. Most existing dog breeds were created in this way and likely are hybrids. Many are so ancient, though, their origin is obscure.

A recent example of a designer or hybrid dog is the Labradoodle, purposely bred to take the low-shedding qualities of a Poddle along with a Labrador's temperament for a guide dog. Because Poodles come in three sizes, Labradoodle pups also vary in size and may be more like the Poodle or Labrador side of the family. Hybrid breeders are dedicated to establishing the variety as a true breed. They work to create a predictable type, working with generations of dogs. The designer dog label today is used to market hybrid dogs, which may or may not be more healthy, cute, trainable, or other fill-in-the-blank claims.

Shelters sometimes label mixed breeds as a designer breed to promote adoptions. Puppy mills jumped on the designer dog bandwagon to create boatloads of interesting mixes they sell for high prices.

A rarer type of "true hybrid" is a dog that has been crossed with a wild animal, such as a wolf or coyote. These can be intentional pairings or may occur naturally in the wild. These types of animals are not usually recommended as pets, as they are a half-wild animal. Sometimes special permits are required if an owner is planning to keep one as a pet. Some breeders will charge inflated prices for these types of hybrids. Be wary of being scammed or ending up with an expensive and potentially dangerous animal in your home.

The health and temperament of a puppy should weigh more heavily than any cute factor and marketing ploys. Any hybrid or designer dog is a mutt, but don't let that connotation make you shy away from a pet that is a good match for you, your lifestyle, and your family.

If you do have a mixed breed or mutt dog and are curious about what breed or breeds your dog originates from, you may want to use a canine genetic test for your dog. With a simple saliva sample, the tests can provide information about your dog's ancestry and the potential breeds that make up your dog. Some tests can also provide health information, especially as it relates to genetic markers that may be related to specific breeds that are in your dog's DNA.

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