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Hi dog lovers! Are you planning to get a dog?
Don't know the difference between a purebred and a mixed breed?
And what about those hybrid dogs everyone keeps talking about?
Making a decision can be overwhelming. That's why I'm here to help you guys out.
There is no need to fret; this is your ultimate guide to everything about hybrid dogs.
True Hybrid Dogs
People use the term hybrid for animals with parents of different species.
Mules are hybrid animals because it mixes a donkey and a horse.
All domesticated dogs are from the same species (Canis familiaris), so crossbred dogs are not true hybrids.
However, there are four true dog hybrids in existence today.
Among these are Wolfdogs, Coydogs, Dingo-Dogs, and Jackal-Dogs.
Nevertheless, most people refer to mixed-breed dogs when talking about hybrid dogs.
Wolfdogs
A wolfdog is the result of mating between a domestic dog and a wolf to form a hybrid.
Wolfdogs are extremely rare in the wild but are much more familiar with wolves and dogs in captivity.
Wolfdogs are extremely challenging to keep as pets due to their unpredictable demeanor.
Watch the following YouTube video to learn more about the types of wolfdogs:
Coydogs
Coydogs are hybrids of domestic dogs and coyotes.
They are also extremely rare in the wild, but it is known to happen.
The Indigenous people of Canada have been breeding dogs with cayotes to produce more resilient animals for their sleds.
Jackal-Dogs
You get a jackal-dog hybrid when a domestic dog mates with a golden jackal.
This hybrid is by far the rarest and only occurs in captivity.
Little is known about their demeanor, as few studies exist because they are rare.
Dingo-Dogs
Dingoes are an old lineage of dogs found only in Australia.
They are medium-sized and resemble wild dogs with their lean and rigid bodies.
Dingo-dog hybrids are common in Australia.
Dingo dogs have many colors and sizes due to their continued breeding.
However, I don't recommend keeping them as pets.
What Is a Hybrid Dog?
Hybrid dogs are the result of crossbreeding among two purebred dogs.
Often called designer dogs, these dogs have the characteristics of both purebred parents.
The number of mixed dog breeds is uncountable as more crossbreeds are introduced.
Hybrid Dog Breeds: Know Your Mixed Breeds
Over the years, humans have bred many mixed-breed dogs with adorable results.
We have listed the most popular hybrid dog species and their ancestries for your convenience.
Every breed listed below has an extensive profile you can access by clicking on the name.
- Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever – Poodle)
- Siberian Retriever (Labrador retriever – Siberian husky)
- Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever – Poodle)
- Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel – Poodle)
- Chiweenie (Chihuahua – Dachshund)
- Puggle (Pug – Beagle)
- Shorkie (Shih Tzu – Yorkie)
- Schnoodle (Schnauzer – Poodle)
- Morkie (Maltese – Yorkie)
- Border Sheepdog (Border Collie – Shetland Sheepdog)
- Cavachon (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – Bichon)
- Shih Poo (Poodle – Shih Tzu)
- Chug (Chihuahua – Pug)
- Corgidor (Corgi – Labrador Retriever)
- Yorkipoo (Yorkshire Terrier – Poodle)
- Pomsky (Siberian Husky – Pomeranian)
- Weimador (Labrador – Weimaraner)
- Jug (Jack Russell Terrier – Pug)
- Maltipoo (Maltese – Poodle)
- Sprocker (Springer Spaniel – Cocker Spaniel)
- Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – Poodle)
- Whoodle (Wheaten Terrier – Poodle)
Remember: Mixed breeds have the characteristics of their parents, so you can learn more about them by looking up their parent breeds.
For more information about mixed-breed dogs, check out our article on the 40 Most Incredible Mixed Breed Dogs.
Hybrid Dog FAQs
Let's discuss some common questions about hybrid dog breeds. If you have a question not covered here, feel free to ask us in the comments below.
What is the most popular crossbreed dog?
Dog shelters mislabel and improperly track Mixed-breed dogs.
But according to internet searches, poodle crossbreeds are by far the most popular.
The adorable Labradoodle further solidifies this fact due to its popularity on Instagram and other social media.
Can you mix any two dog breeds?
While it is possible to have a hybrid of any two dog breeds, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Contrary to popular belief, Wrong Dog Mixes can lead to unwanted traits and characteristics in your hybrid dog.
Are crossbred dogs healthier than purebreds?
Purebred dogs have many health problems due to a lack of genetic diversity. Many experts believe this is the reason why hybrid dogs are healthier than purebreds.
Genetic diversity resolves this problem with mixed-breed dogs because the parents are of different breeds.
Can a dog be mixed with more than two breeds?
You can mix two crossbred dogs, resulting in even more genetic diversity.
These dogs are known as mutts and are just as adorable as their mixed parents.
They are even healthier and can have amazing personalities.
Can dogs mate with foxes?
No, dogs cannot mate with foxes. There is no solid evidence to prove the existence of fox-dog hybrids.
However, scientists have not entirely ruled out the possibility of so-called doxes existing in the past.
Hybrid Dog Breeds: Key Points
We do not recommend keeping a true hybrid dog as a pet.
True hybrids' demeanors are challenging, and information on how to properly take care of them is limited.
Mixed dogs are healthier and can have many desirable traits.
If you are looking to get a dog, your best bet is to go for it and not pay much attention to the current trends.
New hybrid breeds are always coming out, so you shouldn't let social media fads influence your decisions.
If you have children, check out the Best Crossbreed Dogs for Kids.
