Breed of the Week - All American Mixed Breed

This week's breed is the Mutt.

The American Mixed Breed dog goes by many names. Mutt, mongrel, cur, mixed breed, mix, Heinz 57 and many others.

My favorite term for the mixed breed dog is an "All American" which is the term used for dogs of mixed pedigree registered with the United States Dog Agility Association(USDAA).

Today more than ever the average american dog in the average american household is some sort of rescued dog and a lot of them are mutts. This trend is thanks to the efforts of shelters, rescues, and even purebred clubs putting the word out there about the terrible plight faced by shelter dogs in this country.

But more education is needed. If you know someone who is thinking of getting a dog or you yourself are thinking of getting a dog here are some helpful tips.

1. start off on an all breed website like AKC.org or with a book on dog breeds and research what type of dog and what breed(s) are the most compatable with your lifestyle - if you want a dog that will simply sit at your feet all day and is happy with just being by you than you may want to look into breeds that were developed just to be companions a dog that was bred to work in a field 12 hrs a day running around and herding sheep is probably not the type of dog that would fit into yourhouse hol

2. Once you find a breed or breeds you like visit a dog show or join an online dog group geared toward that breed to learn from people who already own the breed. Their experience and information are invaluable.

3. next decide what age and sex of dog you would prefer.

4. Then its time to hit the local shelters, dogs of every shape, age, size, and kind can be found in shelter cages just waiting to be saved. Even if you must have that "purebred dog" they are available in shelters and through breed specific rescue groups.

5. Don't be fooled by backyard breeders. That ad for the cute puppy in the paper is not a good choice. "Rare colors and Sizes" are also things to be leary of when looking for a dog. Know the breed of dog you are interested in inside and out before you go to buy. Teacup, pocket, king, and giant are not things you want to see advertized by your potential breeder. Also consider pricing, breeders who charge more for a particular sex, color, coat type, or size are to be avoided. A breeder that will charge extra for "papers" is also one to avoid. find a reputable breeder through breed clubs, local kennel clubs, the akc, or through owners who have been involved in your breed for years, your vet's office may even have some reputable breeders to refer you to.


6. DO NOT BUY YOUR PUPPY FROM A PET STORE!!!!! Unless that petstore is working with a rescue to rehome unwanted dogs, the puppies in their windows are from puppy mills! And responsible pet owners do not support the cruelty of puppy millers.

7. Do not be fooled by people selling "designer breeds" or "Hypoallergenic/allergy free dogs" Designer dogs are just overpriced mix breeds that breeders sell at an inflated cost to take advantage of people who are uneducated about different dog breeds. And NO DOG IS ALLERGY FREE! Some dogs do shed less and produce a lower amount of dander but all dogs can cause problems to dog allergic people. If you are allergic to dogs but want a dog I, as a fellow dog allergy sufferer, HIGHLY suggest getting involved with a rescue and fostering to adopt. This way you will be able to give the dog an "allergy test run" and if it works out you can adopt the dog perminantly.

And the last and final tip.

8. Please spay or neuter your new family member to prevent becoming a part of the pet overpopulation problem. There are also a great number of health benifits to spaying or neutering your dog.

And now onto our Featured adoptable "All American Dog".

This week's featured adoptable is Beau.

Beau is a wonderfully behaved, handsome Boxer Shar-Pei mix. His owner was forced to move into an apartment where she was unable to keep Beau and she was forced to abandon him at the Mahoning County Pound. He came in on 6/6 and is available for adoption/euthanasia on 6/12.

He doesn't have a lot of time!

If interested please contact by phone @ 330-740-2205 EXT 1 OR 2 to adopt this precious dog. BEST TO CALL BEFORE ADOPTION / EUTHANASIA DATE to request to be put on the adoption list for this dog. PLEASE HELP US SAVE THIS DOG!!!

Beau's petfinder page can be found at http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11041399

If Beau is not what you are looking for please take the time to check out The Mahoning County Pound Petfinder Page or the Canine Crusaders Petfinder Page there are plenty of dogs of varying ages, sexes, and breeds that urgently need homes.

and if you are not in the NE Ohio area please feel free to click on the title of this post which will take you directly to the petfinder homepage, that will be able to connect you with available dogs in your area.