The fabulous Fleur, is a little bit Dachshund and little bit cocker spaniel. Medium in size, these fun crossbreeds are surprisingly athletic and can be trained to do everything from sighting to military work.
Though they dont have a fun name just yet, the border collie-Shetland sheepdog combo is one of our favorite mixed breeds. Theyre gentle, athletic, and oh-so photogenic.
It might not be the most elegant name, but the Chug (a chihuahua-pug mix) is certainly interesting! They are the perfect size for cuddling in your lap, which has made this mixed breed more and more popular.
Labs have reigned supreme as the most popular dog breed for nearly 30 years now, so its no surprise their prized traits also frequently appear in mixed breeds. This combo with a Siberian Husky is slightly smaller than its purebred cousins.
Take a Welsh Corgi and a Labrador Retriever, and you end up with a medium-weight, somewhat short-legged dog. Knowing what type of Corgi parent your pup had can also provide valuable info, as Cardigan Welsh Corgis get bigger than the Pembroke kind.
Corgipoo: Corgi + Poodle
Height: 10 – 12 inches Weight: 12 – 40 pounds Lifespan: 12 – 14 years
Personality: More often than not, toy, rather than standard, poodles are bred with corgis. This makes for a smart, cheerful combination of small stature. Harness the intelligence of the poodle line to train the stubborn corgi side of the dog not to destroy everything in site. Leaving a corgipoo alone for extended periods of time isn’t a great idea, as these energetic pups can get bored and take it out on your stuff. This is a good dog to consider if you’ve already got a pet at home and are looking to expand the family because they are friendly, social creatures who like company.
Potential Health Issues: Some corgipoos develop Addison’s Disease, an adrenal and hormonal disorder. Others have been known to have hip issues.
Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle Mix)
Sometimes referred to as the teddy bear dog, a cockapoo is just about as cute as it gets. Furry, floofy, and generally well-natured, Lantry calls this hybrid dog the most traditional and longest-known mixed breed. In fact, she says some people have heard of them for so long they dont even realize its a mix! Cockapoos were first researched and bred because many owners wanted a dog that doesnt shed.
Cocker spaniels tend to have ear and skin problems, but the poodle mix makes these less prevalent in a cockapoo. Lantry says the poodle also brings intelligence to the mix, making them easy to train. Plus, theyre easy to love: “In the cockapoo, youll find a loving and loyal companion that is well-suited for city living,” Lantry says.
Credit: Patrick / Adobe Stock
TOP 10 MIXED DOG BREEDS
When youre deciding what dog to welcome to your family, you want to make sure your pup will fit your lifestyle. While some people enjoy long hikes and bike rides and prefer an active companion, others live in a small space in a city and choose a floof thats more of a snuggly, calm lap dog. Many pet owners also consider the full-grown size of an animal and their fur and hair if they suffer from allergies.
With this in mind, many potential new pet parents explore the wide range of mixed dog breeds. By definition, a mixed dog breed is exactly what it sounds like: a pup whose parents are not the same purebred dog, explains Stephanie Lantry, DVM, from Sarasota, Fla. and the resident vet for the Airvet app.
Over recent years, she says its been a trend to mix certain breeds with the intent of preserving desirable qualities of both parents. And while you may find a mixed breed at a shelter, you will need to find a trusted breeder if youre looking for a specific mix. And expect a long wait and to pay a lot more than you would for a shelter dog.
Make sure you thoroughly investigate where youre getting your mixed breed puppy since sometimes, inhumane practices are at play. “There are varying reactions to those intentionally mixing different breeds to create a new nickname of a repeatable mixed breed. This practice is often criticized for trying to cash in on a fad and not always paying close attention to preserving the genetic health of the offspring,” Lantry warns.
However, should you find a trusted breeder, a mixed breed or hybrid dog can bring much love, joy, and happiness to your home. Here, we share the unique qualities about some of the most popular mixes.