The “Ultimutt” List of Mixed Breed Dogs

Owning a purebred pup once held a lot of sway in the dog park, but times are changing. Adoption rates for dogs continue to rise, and it’s estimated that 70-75% of adopted dogs are mixed breeds. It’s also increasingly common for new dog owners to seek out intentional crossbreeds—aka, ‘Designer Dogs’—giving ‘mutts’ and ‘mongrels’ everywhere a much-needed rebrand.

Other arguments for crossbreed ownership are that these pups tend to be healthier, and in most cases a little more affordable. But the real reason behind the current surge in crossbreed popularity could just be their super-cute names. (Puggle? Yorkipoo? Come on!) If you’re new to the world of crossbreeds, here are five examples that have worked their way into the most homes (and hearts) around the world:

The Labradoodle might be the world’s best-known mixed-breed dog. Originally bred in Australia as a Seeing Eye dog for those also sensitive to allergies, it’s the result of crossbreeding the Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle. The result is an athletic, affectionate and hypoallergenic dog—not to mention intelligent and friendly. (Plus, they also happened to inherit the good looks of both their parents.)



They’re naturally gentle, lending themselves well to family life—but they do possess boundless energy, so you may need to watch out that little ones don’t get bowled over in all the excitement. Playful and loving, smart and sociable, the Labradoodle fits easily into most household situations.

This tiny little pup has one big personality. A pint-sized cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Miniature Poodle, this lovable little clown is especially suited to apartment life. Thanks to its small parent-breeds and continued down-sizing through breeding, some fully-grown Yorkipoos can almost fit in your pocket! Which also means that they don’t need a huge yard or park for exercise.



They tend to get along well with everyone, endearing them to retirees as well as families with kids. Don’t let the fact that they’re tiny (and cute as all heck) fool you–they also make great watchdogs. While they may not offer much in the way of protection, they are great little barkers when they sense a threat. And what they lack in protection, they make up for in affection.

It’s easy to understand why so many people fall for the Pomsky. A cross between the Pomeranian and the Siberian Husky, you get the mysterious, magnetic looks of a Husky, with the softer coat and smaller size of a Pomeranian. The physical appearance of a Pomsky pup is still somewhat unpredictable—but you can be sure it’s going to be cute.



Their temperament can also vary, but they are generally considered to be highly intelligent, loving, and playful pups. Because of their extreme adorability and the fact that they’re still a relatively rare crossbreed you can expect to pay a premium—making them quite a bit more expensive than other mixes.

If you are in the market for a pet that still plays around like a puppy long after entering dog-hood, meet the Puggle. A mix of the cute-faced Pug and the floppy-eared Beagle, they boast a low-maintenance coat and the ability to get much of their exercise indoors—but they’re still very social dogs who love a good run, so prepare for regular trips to the dog park.



Their hound genes are still strong so you might want to keep your Puggle leashed in escapable areas—while they may appear innocent, Puggles still have a penchant for sniffing their way into trouble.

Aside from the show-stopping crossbreed puppers listed above, we also need to mention those adorable, highly-adoptable doggos whose breeding may have been a little less…intentional.



We’ve all known an adopted pup who turned out to be the kindest, gentlest, most well-intentioned pet we’ve ever encountered—despite their pretty gnarly family tree. So always keep them in mind if you’re considering adding a furry new member to your family!