For the purposes of this article we are going to divide all mixed breed dogs into two distinct groups; the mystery mix, and the known mix. A mystery mix is, as the name suggests, a mixed breed for which you do not know the breeds that went into the creation. Alternatively, we are defining a known mix as any mixed breed for which you do know the breeds that went into its creation. So any stray mix would fall into the mystery mix category, as you cannot know for sure what the breeds that are present inside the dog may be without DNA testing. Examples of popular known mixes are Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Bernadoodles, Cockapoos, and Cavapoos.
The first recommended step towards filling in some of the blanks for a mixed breed dog towards the goal of better understanding them, their behavior, and their medical future, would be DNA testing. Reputable DNA tests can identify breeds or breed mixes. Knowing the breeds that are present within your mixed breed dog, as well as to what degrees they are represented, can give you the necessary insight to watch for and plan for certain behavioral issues, therefore helping you improve your training and discipline! They can also screen for genetic markers that can tell us what sort of health issues a dog may be at risk of so that we can best plan for their medical future. It helps to give you a slice of the peace of mind that goes along with buying a well-bred dog that would otherwise not be possible with a mixed breed. I highly recommend Embark for all canine DNA testing.
Once you have a clearer picture of what your mix is, or if you already knew the breeds in your mix, you can start planning your training. Certain breeds require specific training techniques, or being aware of breed behavioral trait. For example, if a mixed breed contains high amounts of Greyhound then the dog may be much more sensitive to correction than most dogs, and you would be better served by training/correcting gently rather than stern. On the other hand, if the mix was mostly Tibetan Mastiff, a notoriously headstrong breed, you would likely need to be much more assertive in your training and corrections.
In a similar way, this can also impact medical planning. For example, if your mix contains Bernese Mountain Dog they may be at a higher-than-normal risk of cancer, autoimmune disorders, hip and elbow dysplasia, allergies, thyroid disorders, and bowel disorders. If your mix is mostly Saluki, they may have virtually no concerning health predisposition but may be very sensitive to anesthesia. This may also be instrumental in determining if you want to purchase pet insurance, or which companies or plans would be best for your pet.
One thing you don't want to do is assume that just because your dog is a mix it must be healthier than a purebred dog. They are neither guaranteed to be more or less healthy. Many advocates for intentional mixes, sometimes referred to as "designer breeds" claim that mixing dog breeds promotes healthier puppies by giving you the best of both breeds and eliminating the negative traits. Simply put, that is ridiculous. Canine genetics do not work that way, and they're nowhere near as black and white. What they are referring to, albeit in an unscientific way, is called Hybrid Vigor or heterosis. This is the phenomenon whereby a progeny exhibits phenotypic superiority over its parents with regard to traits such as growth rate, reproductive success, general robustness, etc.
The other side of the hybrid vigor coin, however, is a phenomenon known as outbreeding depression. Outbreeding Depression happens when crosses between two genetically distant groups or populations result in a reduction of fitness. The impact can be similar to a more widely known issue, Inbreeding Depression, whereas a cross between genetics that are too close to one another result in a reduction of fitness. The effects of both Inbreeding Depression and Outbreeding Depression can also exist within the same individual. This is a large part of why responsible breeders guide the reproduction of their animals with the utmost care and planning, as to select for health, temperament, and appropriate structure.
While the specific phenomenon of Hybrid Vigor may not typically impact mixed breed dogs, individuals will experience medical conditions on a spectrum, with some individuals being remarkably healthy by chance, and others being less lucky. A total of 27,541 dogs participated in the Dog Aging Project study. Researchers identified 25 breeds that made up 60% of the purebred dog population within the sample size. These breeds included some of the most popular dogs in the United States, including Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds. Within the 25 breeds selected, researchers reviewed thousands of health concerns submitted by owners, identifying 53 specific diagnoses. Then, they narrowed their findings further, identifying 10 common health conditions that affected the purebred dogs. When compared to the 10 most common ailments reported by owners of mixed-breed dogs, data showed that, across the board, the routine health concerns both groups experienced were similar. When it came to longevity and health profiles, mixed-breed dogs didn’t have a medical advantage over their purebred counterparts. Diet, lifestyle, and individual genetic makeup* played a more direct role in the health conditions dogs experienced. Some data even suggests that intentional mixed (doodles, for example) may experience a higher rate of comorbidity at a younger age; commonly suffering from severe allergies and skin problems, partially due to a difficulty in properly grooming a combination coat, heart issues, eye problems, and hip dysplasia. More health testing of breeding stock by breeders who produce such mixes may help alleviate this in the future.
In closing, when you have a mixed breed dog you are handed a bit of a unique mystery, whether you have a known mix or a mystery mix. It's up to you to do the research into the breeds within your dog, it's up to you to try to map out the best course of action for training and medical care. But the reward is a dog who is happy, hopefully healthy, long-lived, and is understood deeply by their owner. And if you ask me, that's a really wonderful reward!
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