Amixed-breed dog, as the name implies, is one that’s a mix of
two or more breeds — as opposed to purebred dogs, which
can trace their lineage back to purebred parents and grandparents
and on and on. Believe it or not, mixed-breed dogs are more numerous
than purebred dogs and, until recently, they were thought of as
less-than-ideal pets and companions. But with the new designer-dog
hybrid craze, all that has drastically changed. Many people are willing
to spend upwards of $2,000 for a mixed-breed dog just because
they know the dog’s parents were purebreds.
Even though mixed-breed dogs — designer or not — may not
have consistent attributes (like size and appearance), they can
make great companions, often with fewer physical problems than
pedigreed dogs.