11 Hybrid Dog Breeds
Written and verified by the biologist Georgelin Espinoza Medina
There are more than 300 dog breeds registered worldwide with the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). However, they aren’t the only ones. In addition, there are a great number of so-called hybrids, just as beautiful and charming as the others. Could you name any hybrid dog breeds? We’ve published articles on many of them recently on My Animals, and we’ve compiled some of them, along with some new ones for you today!
They’re also called designer dogs, as breeders have sought to highlight a particular attribute or quality, either the color, or appearance of the body. Generally, they’re dogs in which a certain aesthetic aspect is enhanced. Here we’ll tell you exactly what hybrid dog breeds are and list 11 different types that you’ll fall in love with.
What are hybrid dog breeds?
Hybrid breed dogs come from the combination of two well-defined and established pure breeds, with the purpose of highlighting a certain attribute or quality. In this way, certain characteristics of the two breeds are highlighted in a single specimen. As they’re a mixture, they’re considered impure dogs or mongrels with different names around the world.
These dogs form an important part of the canine population worldwide. For example, in countries such as the United States, a study published in 2018 showed that 47% of households surveyed had at least one of these dogs.
In addition, the advantages that these animals have over purebreds in terms of their health have been highlighted. It’s estimated that, thanks to combining these breeds, there’s more genetic variability and, therefore, they’re less prone to diseases.
Hybrid dogs come from a controlled crossbreeding. Although they aren’t recognized by associations such as the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) or the American Kennel Club(AKC), they’re just as charming and loving as purebreds.
Some popular hybrid dog breeds
As we’ve already mentioned, there are many hybrid dogs, however, here’s a list of 11 captivating hybrid dog breeds.
1. Pomsky
The Pomsky is a very loving and beautiful dog, created from a cross between a husky and a Pomeranian. In this case, the aim was to highlight the physical aspect of a husky, but with a smaller size. Generally, the specimens measure 30 centimeters (12 inches), although some can be smaller than 25cm (10 inches). In addition, it’s an excellent dog for families. It was originated in 2012 by breeder Tressa Peterson in the United States.
2. Peekapoo
The Peekapoo results from a cross between a Pekingese and a poodle. It’s a rare and little known specimen, somewhat grumpy, although affectionate and overprotective with the family. They have a lovely appearance, are small and have abundant hair.
3. Cockapoo
The Cockapoo is a designer dog that comes from a cross between a Cocker spaniel and a poodle. The end result is a dog with a wavy coat that can reach up to 50 centimeters (20 inches). It’s loyal, intelligent and friendly, a perfect combination to have at home.
4. Puggle
The puggle comes from the cross between a beagle and a pug, which gives us quite a small specimen. Originally from North America, and specifically from the state of Wisconsin, in the United States. Despite its size, it’s beautiful, cheerful, funny and very sociable, both with children and other dogs. Therefore, it’s a good choice as a pet for homes with children.
5. Labradoodle
The Labradoodle comes from the cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle. It’s of British origin, is easy to train, and can be used as a guide dog, as well as assistance or therapy dogs. In addition, thanks to its coat, it is considered hypoallergenic, an alternative for people who suffer from allergies.
6. American Bully
The American Bully comes from the crossbreeding of the American pit bull terrier and the Staffordshire bull terrier. A medium-sized, muscular, strong and faithful breed, which stands out for its powerful head. However, it’s considered potentially dangerous in some parts of the world. Native to North America and officially recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 2013.
7. Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle comes from the union of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. It’s a friendly, intelligent, and popular dog. In addition, it’s characterized by not losing too much hair and so it’s also considered hypoallergenic. It has a very manageable temperament, which makes it an excellent pet.
8. The Peagle
Peagles come from the crossing of the Beagle and the Pekingese. They’re medium-sized, and are very friendly, affectionate, and playful, a great companion at home!
9. Horgi
The Horgi is a somewhat strange but striking cross between a husky and a corgi. They’re characterized by their strength, although they’re quite small. They’re also active and affectionate.
10. Zuchon
The Zuchon originates from a cross between a Bichon Frise and a Shih Tzu. It’s a small animal that weighs around 7 kilograms (16 lbs), with a soft, hypoallergenic coat, as it hardly falls out. It has a playful temperament and is easy to train.
11. Yorkiepoo
The Yorkiepoo comes from the union between a Yorkshire terrier and a poodle, and so, as you can imagine, it’s quite small. It’s another of our hybrid dog breeds that are considered hypoallergenic. Regarding its temperament, this dog is friendly, loving, and very noisy with its insistent barking. It needs good company and attention and doesn’t like to be alone.
Final considerations about hybrid dog breeds
Despite this list of beautiful and loving hybrid dog breeds, crossbreeding shouldn’t be taken lightly. Ideally, it should be performed by experienced breeders to avoid deformities or unwanted results.
Let’s remember that dogs are living beings, and they can’t be treated as objects. So, beyond the beauty aspect, we must think about their health and welfare. All dogs, whether purebred or not, must be treated with love and all the care they need.
Check out the article below for a hybrid dog we didn’t mention in our list today.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Ali, M., Evans, J., Parker, H., Kim, J., Pearce-Kelling, S., Whitaker, D., Plassais, J., Khan, Q., & Ostrander, E. (2020). Genetic analysis of the modern Australian labradoodle dog breed reveals an excess of the poodle genome. PLoS Genetics, 16(9), e1008956. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1008956
- Donner, J., Anderson, H., Davison, S., Hughes, A., Bouirmane, J., Lindqvist, J., Lytle, K., Ganesan, B.; Ottkal., C., Ruotanen, P., Kaukonen, M., Forman, O., Fretwell, N., Cole, C., & Lohi, H. (2018). Frequency and distribution of 152 genetic disease variants in over 100,000 mixed breed and purebred dogs. PLoS Genetics, 14(4), e1007361. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1007361
- Pomsky Club of America (2014). Why the Pomsky? Providing an answer. Recuperado el 16 de marzo de 2022, disponible en: https://www.pomskyclubofamerica.org/about1
- United Kennel Club. (2022). American Bully. Recuperado el 17 de marzo de 2022, disponible en: https://www.ukcdogs.com/american-bully
This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.