Mixed-breed dogs

Mixed-breed dogs don't have one personality; each is a blend of its ancestry, its experiences and its own character. One of the most comprehensive studies on this, a 2022 paper in Science (Morrill et al.), surveyed owners of more than 18,000 purebred and mixed-breed dogs and genotyped more than 2,000 dogs. The researchers found that most behavioral traits are heritable, but that breed explains only about 9% of the behavioral differences between individual dogs. So guesses like "it's part Kangal, so it'll guard" or "it's part Labrador, so it'll be easygoing" are often misleading for any single dog.

That's why the best way to get to know a mixed-breed dog is to spend time with it. Shelter staff, volunteers and foster caregivers can tell you how the dog behaves with people, children, cats and other dogs. A dog that has lived on the street or in a shelter for a long time may be fearful, cautious or overexcited during its first days as it gets used to home life; give it time to adjust at its own pace.

Mixed-breed dogs can suit almost anyone who wants a dog; what matters is choosing the right dog. Shelters have dogs of every size, energy level and age.

To learn how a dog copes with being alone, see our article on separation anxiety in dogs; for homes with children, see kids and dogs at home.

Mixed-breed dogs aren't the exception among dogs; they're the majority. As the introduction to a 2025 paper (Sexton et al.) puts it, most dogs alive in the world today are free-roaming and of mixed ancestry, while much of what we know about dogs comes from purebreds. The same paper notes that a high percentage of shelter dogs are typically mixed breeds.

According to Morrill and colleagues, the genetic roots of behavior go back thousands of years before modern breeds were formed, and what mainly sets modern breeds apart is how they look. In other words, a mixed-breed dog is part of a dog history far older than breeds themselves.

Street dogs and animal shelters in Türkiye

In Türkiye, the rules on unowned dogs are set out in the Animal Protection Law (no. 5199), which was amended in 2024 by Law no. 7527. According to the current text, unowned dogs are taken to animal shelters set up or authorized by local governments, recorded in the Ministry's database, and dogs that have been rehabilitated are housed in shelters until they're adopted. Under the law, local governments, working with volunteer organizations, provide for these animals' care until they're adopted. People who want to adopt a dog can contact municipal animal shelters and rescue associations.

Mixed-breed dogs come in endless variety: from small dogs weighing a few pounds to large shepherd-dog crosses, from short, harsh coats to long, curly ones. But looks don't always reveal ancestry accurately.

DNA breed tests

DNA breed tests can estimate which breeds a dog comes from. In a 2025 study of 5,673 dogs in the U.S. Dog Aging Project (Sexton et al.), 80% of owners said their dog's genetic results matched what they knew. For mixed-breed dogs, both of the two breeds the owner expected showed up in the results 46% of the time, and one of the two showed up 40% of the time. Among the few owners who disagreed with the results, most said their dog came from a breed that wasn't in the test's reference panel.

• Check the reference list: Tests can only recognize breeds in their reference panel. If you think your dog has some ancestry from breeds native to Türkiye, ask whether those breeds are on the list.
• It doesn't predict behavior: Morrill and colleagues' findings show that a breed result doesn't tell you how an individual dog will behave.
• For health decisions: Don't turn a breed result or test result into a health decision on your own; talk it over with your vet.

A mixed-breed dog's care depends on its coat, size and age. Brushing once a week is enough for a short-coated dog, while a long- or curly-coated dog may need regular brushing and trims. See our article on dog grooming for more.

• Nails and teeth: Check the nails regularly, and plan dental care with your vet.
• Ears: In dogs with drop ears, check the ears once a week, and show your vet any odor or redness.
• ID: Put a tag with your name and phone number on the collar; newly adopted dogs that haven't settled in yet can slip away.
• Seasons: Small, thin-coated dogs need extra protection in the cold, and large, thick-coated dogs in the heat.

A mixed-breed dog's exercise needs also vary with its size, age and ancestry. A young, energetic dog may want several long walks and play sessions a day, while an older, calmer dog may be happy with short walks. Sniffing games are good mental exercise for any dog.

A dog that comes from a shelter or the street may not be used to a leash, being indoors or household noises. Short, consistent, reward-based steps work best.

1. The first days: A quiet corner and short walks along the same route during the first days. Our guide to adopting a shelter dog covers this period.
2. Collar and leash: A secure collar or harness the dog can't slip out of. Loose-leash walking makes walks easier.
3. Recall: Teach it to come when called before letting it off leash anywhere that isn't secure. Our article on teaching a dog to come when called walks you through it.
4. Body language: To notice early when a dog is uncomfortable or scared, take a look at our article on dog body language.

Punishment breaks trust, especially in a fearful dog. If you're struggling, get help from your vet and a trainer who uses positive methods.

A mixed-breed dog doesn't need a special food; a complete, balanced dog food suited to its age, size and activity level is enough. A dog that has lived on the street may be very thin at first or extremely eager about food; correct its weight gradually, together with your vet.

• According to the PDSA, spayed and neutered dogs need less energy; after the surgery, recalculate the food amount with your vet.
• If you can feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat, its weight is good.
• Count treats as part of the daily food.
• Fresh water should always be available.

Be careful with table scraps; take a look at our list of foods that are dangerous for dogs.

The information below is for awareness only; ask your vet about diagnosis and treatment.

Are mixed breeds healthier?

A common belief is that mixed-breed dogs are always healthier than purebreds. The science paints a more complicated picture. In a 2024 study using data on about 585,000 dogs from 18 UK organizations (McMillan et al.), mixed breeds had a median lifespan of 12.0 years, compared with 12.7 years for purebreds. Of the 155 breeds studied, 47% lived longer than mixed breeds, 26% lived shorter lives, and the rest showed no clear difference. The authors stress that mixed breeds are a very diverse group and that they don't rule out the idea of "hybrid vigor."

A 2022 study using the Royal Veterinary College's VetCompass data (Teng et al.) found a life expectancy at birth of 11.8 years for mixed-breed dogs. That's higher than the average for all dogs (11.2 years) and much higher than for flat-faced breeds, but lower than for some breeds such as the Jack Russell Terrier (12.7).

In short, being mixed isn't a health guarantee on its own. A mixed-breed dog can carry the health tendencies of the breeds in its ancestry: a cross of a large shepherd dog may be more prone to the joint and stomach problems seen in large breeds, and a cross of a flat-faced breed to breathing problems.

The first vet visit after adoption

1. Microchip and registration: Have the dog scanned for a microchip; if there is one, check whose name it's registered under in PETVET and have ownership transferred.
2. Vaccines: Bring the vaccine records from the shelter; your vet will decide on any missing vaccines and the schedule.
3. Parasites: An exam for internal and external parasites, and a prevention plan.
4. General exam: Teeth, eyes, ears, skin, weight and joints; in dogs that have lived on the street, old injuries and fractures are checked too.
5. Spaying or neutering: If the dog hasn't been spayed or neutered, discuss when to do it.

According to two large UK studies, mixed-breed dogs have a median lifespan of about 12 years (McMillan et al. 2024) and a life expectancy at birth of 11.8 years (Teng et al. 2022). But that average covers very different dogs. The McMillan study shows that larger dogs generally live shorter lives, so a small mixed breed and a large shepherd-dog cross don't have the same life expectancy.

In the Teng study, spayed and neutered dogs lived longer than intact dogs. Regular vet checkups, a healthy weight, staying on top of vaccines and parasite prevention, and guarding against preventable risks such as escapes and traffic accidents are the most practical ways to help a dog live longer.

• Adopt from a shelter: Municipal animal shelters and rescue associations are looking for homes for dogs of every size and age. Our guide to adopting a shelter dog covers the questions to ask yourself and the first days.
• Get to know the dog: Visit a few times; ask about the dog's history, health records and how it gets along with other animals.
• A long commitment: A dog can live more than ten years. Think now about possible changes such as moving, a new job or a new baby. In Türkiye, abandoning a pet is banned under the Animal Protection Law.
• Registration: Rules vary by country. In Türkiye, cat and dog owners are required to register their animals with digital identification (a microchip), and the deadline set in the law was December 31, 2025. Make sure your adopted dog's PETVET registration is in your name; see our article on PETVET registration and microchips.
• Spaying and neutering: Türkiye's Animal Protection Law makes it a basic principle that owners spay or neuter cats and dogs kept in shared living areas. The PDSA also recommends spaying or neutering all dogs unless a vet advises otherwise; decide on the right timing with your vet.
• Puppy or adult: If you're adopting a puppy, our guide to the first week with a new puppy explains how to prepare.