Okay, dog owners, this one is for you!
Is your dog or are your dogs purebred or a mutt?
Now, if you have a “designer dog breed,” we’re still considering that a purebred, not a mutt. Don’t know what a designer dog breed is? It means a dog has been bred, usually by a breeder, by two purebred dogs to create a new breed. Some of the most popular designer dog breeds are the doodles (Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Cavapoo, Sheepadoodle, Yorkipoo, Maltipoo, Ausiedoodle, etc.), Chiweenies (Chihuahua and Dachshund), Puggle (Pug and Beagle), Pomski (Pomeranian and Husky), and many more.
After you vote, tell us what kind of dog you have in the comments. And if you have a mutt and want to know what breeds they are, we suggest doing this easy at-home DNA test. It’s fun!
We have a schnoodle (schnauzer and poodle) and have been blessed with a happy relatively calm dog. She was just in for a checkup and is in very good health at 13 years old!
We currently have 2 Yorkies. Who would have thought such little dogs would have such big attitudes and personalities?!
We always had Shelties until our daughter begged for a Yorkie. We were suckered! Now she’s graduated school and moved out and we have her dog plus the second dog the breeder gifted us. They are great traveling companions – and no shedding like a Sheltie!
I dare say, we feel very protected against squirrels with these two!
We have a 6 lb Maltese who is king of the roost. Understands half of the English language and is ready to go instantly. He lost his left front leg to a German Shepard 4 years ago but it’s only slowed his walking, he can still chase squirrels as fast as normal. Lol
We have 2 rescue dogs, don’t want dogs from a breeder!!
Find the right breeder is the answer to that. But thank you for rescuing these little guys and gals.
We have one of the doodles – a goldendoodle. They are great dogs – no shedding, great personalities, smart!
we’ve always had Yorkers. Best alarms for intruders. Very loving and affectionate. Also have 2 rescues. They all keep mama and I entertained and very well protected. Yorkers love camping and exploring. Stella and Bindi love the little rascals.
I called Wally a mutt because he is a rescue and I have no idea about his lineage. But he does have a heart of pure gold.
We did have a purebred Cocker when we first got married. He was a wonderful dog, but had some health problems. Seems most purebreds do.
Since then we have had rescue dogs (mutts). They seem to have a better temperament, maybe because they are happy to have a good home. Our last rescue was a Brittany. We didn’t know he was purebred until we took him to the vet. This was one requirement of the shelter. Previous owners just dropped him off outside the shelter. It only took him two days to become OUR dog. He was energetic, but also the most loving and friendly dog we ever had. He loved kids and other people and dogs.
Rescue dogs make the best companions.
Just a comment about how the poll was categorized. “Designer dogs” should not be included in the purebred category… huge difference! A “designer dog” is a mutt! Not saying one is better than the other; I have 3 purebred and 2 mixed breeds. Just saying mixed breeds such as doodles are mutts.
One is a pure bred (beagle) the other is a cross breed beagle rat terrier (dna) she was a rescue my son brought home he found her in a box flea ridden with no food or water. All previous dogs were pure bred being beagles and one rottweiler we brought back from Australia.
I am proud to say that I’ve been privileged to have lived with daschunds for over 50 years. And even prouder to say that I now live with both the 9th and 10th generation of the same bloodline. These little noise makers are truly brave hunters. I call them foolishly brave! I could not picture life without them. They travel well and enjoy all the new scents at each campground.
Pure breed BUT have spent the time seeking breeders who are both ethical and have the blood lines and vet reports to sustain what they say. In all cases we have met both parents. We have also owned mutts. Great dogs, but mutts may not be the way to avoid genetic issues.With typically unknown genetic histories, you take your chances there also.
Regardless of heritage, if the animal is a family pet, you aren’t the ‘owner’ any more than you own your children. They are family, deserve your love, AND are your responsibility.
Over the last 50 plus years have been blessed with German Shepherds from incredible breeders. We now have our 7th German Shepherd. They have been our protectors and companions sharing our home and RV as we have traveled around the US, including Alaska, and much of Canada.
We have two small mutts that we rescued. One, our now 13 year old is a beagle mix and the other a Jack Russell mix and is three years old. Both are great little dogs that just want to be with and be loved by us as they return that love several times over. They love the new smells they encounter on our RV trips.
My dog is a German shorthair pointer
She is 6 years old. Our 2nd pointer. We’ve had labradors before the pointers. Raised all from puppies.
In the past I would call her a mutt, but now she is a “designer breed”.
Dad pure breed poodle.
Mom half St Bernard and Bernese Mountain Dog.
Guess she is called a St BernaDoodle.
Cuter than the devil and ornery as “he” double hockey sticks.
We love her to death!
Over the decades we have had several rescues and several purebreds of different breeds. From a small Yorkie rescue to finely bred German Shepherd Dogs to mutts. We have loved them all but I think my favorite was our Golden Retriever.
Jim and Wayne both mentioned doing research and seeking out a quality breeder if getting a dog through that channel. Our current, and third German Shepherd Dog is from stock bred by a past President of the GSD club of America. I was able to review genetic profiles back several generations to ensure that common GSD genetic “issues” were not present. Great breeders who really care about what they are doing will have this kind of evidence available. Ask for it!
Princess Charlie is a four year old border collie/poodle cross. She doesn’t shed and she is smarter than I am. Great dog !!!
Brother and sister shitzu born without tails so breeder gave them to us. Entertaining but completely useless other than good door bells. I’ll take a rescue over a breeder every time.
Over 34 years we’ve had 10 dogs and all found/pound. We just adopted number 11 from Animal Control in January. She is a 1 yr. old, 45 pound Super Mutt! I sent in her DNA and she is designed from 15 different breeds with only two standing out in the 20+ percentiles. A bundle of energy and smart as a whip.
We have four rescue cats, no dogs. I’m thinking of a dog, it must be a rescue or a “surrender’ from a senior who can no longer care for it.
No idea how the cats would enjoy a dog as a companion.
You needed another possible: “I don’t know” In our case our little girl is a rescue and the best we can tell she is a Bichon Frise as she looks identical to one with the exception she is apricot color, not white. But without doing a DNA test, we have no idea. In any case, compared to all the other dogs we’ve owned during our lifetimes, this girl is absolutely the smartest and most lovable we’ve ever had. Unfortunately, we have no idea how old she is and the vets we have taken her to over the four years we’ve owned her, they all say she is about 3 years old. Not sure how that can be as she was an adult when we got her and she still acts like a very young dog…almost puppy like and loves every human she comes into contact with but shies away from small children or dogs larger than her. She has been the doggie of the day here on rvtravel newsletter.
Current dog is a chiwenni (at least that’s the vet’s best guess). She is a pound pup. Has long hair which makes her ears look like a dashound dog but under the hair her ears are shaped like a chihuahua. Loves people. Can’t believe someone let her become a stray.
Per Our Pup’s DNA:
72% American Staffordshire Terrier
25% American Pit Bull Terrier
3% American Bulldog
Kitty is her name and she rescued us! Thank goodness we found our Kitty at our local no-kill City shelter. Kitty will be 6 years old this June 1, approximate date and she’s has added love, more adventures and better health to our life for 5 years and going!
Notice that everything is a rescue now? ( a good thing)
But mine was a rescued mutt long before it became popular. And you can’t tell her from a purebred. She cost me around 75$ spayed. Brand names are going for $600+
We always rescue from humane societies. Mutts make the best pets they are very loving and in some cases the first home they have had that is good for them. Ours love the RV life.
the vet thinks Maggie is all Beagle but we never had her tested as it’s unimportant to us.
PJ is Havanese / Bichon
Our pure bred GSD, Odin (who was featured here as a Pet of the Day recently), was an abused pup that I found drinking from a puddle in the middle of a busy road. Our other dog, Olivia, is also a rescue from a group in Tulsa. Did the Wisdom DNA panel on her and the two biggest breeds in her are Dutch Shepherd and Whippet, with three other breeds under 15%.
Doesn’t matter if they are pure bred or a mutt – EVERY DOG IS AWESOME!
We got Jackson from the Georgia Aussie Rescue. His moma was a pure blooded Aussie, but his dad must have been a hound. He was 15 years of age last (2022) November.
We have a Havashire – havanese and Yorkie mix.
There is no such thing as a designer breed. Designers make dresses, shoes and handbags. They are mixed breed dogs, period. Very loveable, yes, but extremely overpriced. Unscrupulous breeders who have dogs that are not quality enough to breed as purebred dogs make these mutts and charge a fortune to uneducated buyers. There’s nothing wrong with getting and loving a mutt but you can get one that looks JUST LIKE a so called designer breed at the pound. So go rescue one, don’t spend thousands on a dog that the breeder couldn’t breed as purebred!
Designer dogs are just controlled Mutts…I get a chuckle when someone explains the lineage of their expensive mixed breed dog. To each their own. We do own a sheltie but my wife always wanted one and she is a peach
Hi, Scott. I’m just wondering if your wife is a peach or your sheltie is a peach? Or maybe both? 😉 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
she has tolerated me for 37 yrs ( my wife), I would say that she is much better than being described as a peach…the dog will qualify for the description of a peach. Keep up the great work on the discussions !
Thanks for the clarification, Scott. 😆 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
A DESIGNER DOG is NOT a purebred. It is a MIX- as they tell you i.e. poodle/golden