Mixed dog breeds can mean a shelter dog with several unknown ancestors or an intentional cross between two identified breeds. The 29 names below are commonly used for intentional crosses, but most are not standardized breeds with a universally accepted breed standard.
A cross can inherit different combinations of its parents’ size, coat, body shape, energy level, instincts, and health risks. Even puppies from the same litter may grow into noticeably different dogs. Treat each name as a starting point—not a guarantee of what an individual dog will be like.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Book of the Mixed Breed Dog | $9.24 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
MUTTS: A Celebration of Mystery Mixed Breeds | $21.28 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Mixed Breeds For Dummies | $19.41 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds | $15.73 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Every Dog: A Book of Over 450 Breeds | $14.20 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
29 mixed dog breeds to know
This list focuses on commonly used names for crosses between two established breeds. The parent breeds, likely considerations, and size ranges are not promises; the individual dog and the specific parents matter more than the label.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Mixed breed | Parent breeds | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Aussiedoodle | Australian Shepherd × Poodle | May combine a strong herding instinct with high activity and intelligence. Size depends partly on whether the Poodle parent is Miniature or Standard. Plan for training, exercise, and mental enrichment. |
| 2. Bassador | Basset Hound × Labrador Retriever | Individuals can vary substantially in body shape, energy, size, and coat. A dog with a Basset-like build may need particular care with weight and mobility. |
| 3. Beabull | Beagle × Bulldog | May inherit the Beagle’s scent interest and activity alongside Bulldog body structure. Temperament and exercise tolerance are not predictable from the name alone. |
| 4. Beagi | Beagle × Corgi | This small-to-medium cross may have both Beagle scent drive and Corgi herding tendencies. Recall training and activities that use the nose can be useful. |
| 5. Beaker | Beagle × Cocker Spaniel | Both parent breeds are active working or sporting dogs. A Beaker may need more exercise and enrichment than its small-to-medium size suggests. |
| 6. Beaglier | Beagle × Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | May combine Beagle activity and scent interest with Cavalier companion-dog traits. Meet the individual dog and assess its energy level rather than assuming it will be laid-back. |
| 7. Bernedoodle | Bernese Mountain Dog × Poodle | Size varies with the Poodle parent: Toy, Miniature, or Standard. “F1,” “F1b,” and later-generation descriptions indicate lineage, not a guaranteed coat, temperament, or health result. |
| 8. Borador | Border Collie × Labrador Retriever | Both parents are active working or sporting dogs. A Borador may require substantial daily physical activity, training, and problem-solving games. |
| 9. Boxador | Boxer × Labrador Retriever | Usually a large, powerful cross. Both parent breeds can be energetic, so prospective owners should consider adult strength, exercise requirements, and training time. |
| 10. Cavachon | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Bichon Frise | A small companion cross with variable coat and grooming needs. Health screening should address conditions associated with both parent breeds. |
| 11. Cavapoo | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Toy or Miniature Poodle | The Poodle parent produces a broad possible size range. Coat texture and shedding vary, and no Cavapoo—or any dog—is completely allergen-free. |
| 12. Chiweenie | Chihuahua × Dachshund | May be very small and may inherit the Dachshund’s elongated body. Assess back and limb structure individually, and manage jumping and stairs if the dog has a long-backed build. |
| 13. Chorkie | Chihuahua × Yorkshire Terrier | Small does not mean inactive. A Chorkie may be energetic or vocal and may need regular coat maintenance, depending on which coat traits it inherits. |
| 14. Cockapoo | Cocker Spaniel × Poodle | Coat texture and shedding are variable. Floppy ears can retain moisture, so regular checks and appropriate ear care are important. |
| 15. Goldador | Golden Retriever × Labrador Retriever | This is a cross between two retriever breeds, not automatically a low-energy companion. Expect a potentially athletic, social dog that benefits from structured activity. |
| 16. Goldendoodle | Golden Retriever × Poodle | Standard Goldendoodles can be large and active. Coat type, shedding, and grooming needs differ widely between individuals, even within the same generation. |
| 17. Gerberian Shepsky | German Shepherd × Siberian Husky | Both parents are large, active working breeds. Protective behavior, vocalization, exercise needs, and trainability can vary considerably. |
| 18. Labradoodle | Labrador Retriever × Poodle | Poodle ancestry does not guarantee a non-shedding or allergy-safe coat. Coats can be loose, wavy, or curly, and regular brushing or professional grooming is commonly needed. |
| 19. Mal-Shi | Maltese × Shih Tzu | Also written Malshi or Mal-Shih. This small companion cross can have different coat textures and grooming requirements depending on its inheritance. |
| 20. Maltipoo | Maltese × Toy or Miniature Poodle | Size varies with the Poodle parent. Despite its small stature, a Maltipoo may be active and can develop separation-related behavior if it is not taught to spend time alone gradually. |
| 21. Morkie | Maltese × Yorkshire Terrier | A small companion cross with potentially significant grooming needs. Coat texture, shedding, vocal behavior, and activity level can differ from one dog to another. |
| 22. Peekapoo | Pekingese × Poodle | Size and coat depend on the Poodle parent and individual inheritance. Regular coat care may be necessary, particularly if the dog grows a dense or continuously growing coat. |
| 23. Poochon | Bichon Frise × Poodle | Often advertised as low-shedding, but “hypoallergenic” is not a guarantee. All dogs produce allergenic proteins, and individual reactions vary. |
| 24. Pomsky | Siberian Husky × Pomeranian | The parent breeds differ greatly in size, making adult size difficult to predict from the name. Shedding, vocalization, and activity can also be substantial. |
| 25. Puggle | Pug × Beagle | May combine Beagle activity and vocalization with Pug facial and airway features. A short coat does not remove the need for exercise, weight management, or health assessment. |
| 26. Saint Berdoodle | Saint Bernard × Poodle | This can be a very large dog. Before choosing one, consider giant-dog food costs, transport, housing, joint care, grooming, and the dog’s likely adult strength. |
| 27. Schnoodle | Schnauzer × Poodle | Size can range from small to large because both Schnauzers and Poodles have multiple size varieties. Coat care and exercise needs are similarly variable. |
| 28. Shih-Poo | Shih Tzu × Poodle | A small companion cross whose coat, grooming needs, exercise level, and house-training difficulty can vary by individual. |
| 29. Whoodle | Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier × Poodle | May be small, medium, or large depending on the parents. It commonly needs regular coat care and should not automatically be considered a low-energy dog. |
What to know before choosing a mixed dog
No cross has guaranteed traits
Crossing two breeds does not reliably produce a fixed combination of their characteristics. A puppy may resemble one parent in coat and the other in body shape, while its behavior reflects a less obvious combination of inherited tendencies and early experience.
#1 Best Overall
- Used Book in Good Condition
Do not assume that a named cross will definitely be friendly, quiet, non-shedding, easy to train, small, or healthy. Even DNA ancestry results cannot predict precisely which physical or behavioral traits will be expressed in one dog.
“Hypoallergenic” is not a reliable promise
No dog is completely allergen-free. Allergic reactions are caused mainly by proteins found in saliva, skin flakes, and other biological material—not simply by visible fur. A dog that sheds less may be easier for some people to tolerate, but a Labradoodle, Cavapoo, Poochon, or other Poodle cross cannot be guaranteed to be allergy-safe.
If someone in the household has allergies, spend time with the specific dog before committing. A coat description or generation label is not enough.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallRank #2
Mixed does not automatically mean healthier
Genetic diversity can be beneficial in some pairings, but crossbreeding does not eliminate inherited disease. A mixed dog can inherit conditions associated with either parent breed, and some disorders occur at similar rates in purebred and mixed-breed dogs.
A more accurate way to think about health is this: the risk depends on the individual dog, the health of its parents, breeding practices, early environment, nutrition, and veterinary care. A “designer” name is not a health certification.
How to assess a puppy from a breeder
- Ask for the exact parentage. Find out which varieties and sizes of each breed were used. “Mini,” “medium,” and “standard” labels are not interchangeable.
- Request actual health-screening records. Screening should cover both parent breeds. Depending on the pairing, this may include orthopedic evaluations, eye examinations, cardiac testing, and relevant genetic tests.
- Check what the result means. A CHIC number from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals shows that required tests were performed and submitted. It does not guarantee normal results or a disease-free puppy.
- Meet the mother, and inspect the dogs’ living conditions. The mother’s health and behavior provide useful information. Be cautious if the breeder will not show where the dogs live or refuses to discuss veterinary records.
- Evaluate the individual puppy. Look at breathing, movement, body condition, skin, eyes, ears, and behavior. A puppy should be examined by your veterinarian soon after adoption or purchase.
- Be skeptical of guarantees. A generic health guarantee is not a substitute for breed-relevant screening, transparent records, and responsible husbandry.
What do F1, F1b, and F2 mean?
These terms are most often used for Poodle crosses:
Rank #3
- F1: a purebred dog from one parent breed crossed with a purebred dog from the other.
- F1b: an F1 dog crossed back to one of the original parent breeds, commonly a Poodle.
- F2: an F1 dog crossed with another F1 dog.
The labels describe ancestry. They do not guarantee a particular amount of shedding, coat texture, adult size, temperament, or health profile. A breeder should still be able to explain the actual parents and provide appropriate screening information.
Can mixed-breed dogs take part in dog sports?
Mixed-breed dogs cannot receive full AKC breed registration or compete in AKC conformation events, which judge dogs against an official breed standard. They can, however, enroll in the AKC Canine Partners program and participate in many activities, including agility, obedience, rally, tracking, Fast CAT, and Canine Good Citizen programs.
For an adopted dog with uncertain ancestry, observed behavior is often more useful than a guessed breed label when choosing activities. A dog that enjoys chasing may suit Fast CAT, while a food-motivated dog may thrive in obedience or scent-based work.
Rank #4
- Used Book in Good Condition
Mixed-breed names are not always consistent
Breeders, shelters, and listing sites may use the same name differently. A “doodle” may be produced from different Poodle sizes, and a small cross can have a wide adult-size range when its parent breeds differ greatly. Shelter breed labels are useful estimates but are not definitive proof of ancestry; visual identification alone is especially limited.
When adopting, focus on the dog in front of you: its current size, health, energy, behavior around people and animals, and ability to fit your home. When buying from a breeder, verify the parent breeds and health testing rather than relying on an attractive marketing name.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
FAQ
Are mixed dog breeds healthier than purebred dogs?
Not automatically. Crossbreeding may increase genetic diversity in some pairings, but a mixed dog can inherit diseases associated with either parent breed. Health screening, responsible breeding, environment, nutrition, and veterinary care all matter.
Best Value
Which mixed dog breeds do not shed?
None can be guaranteed not to shed. Some Poodle crosses may shed less, but coat type varies between individuals and generations. Low-shedding also does not mean allergy-free because all dogs produce allergenic proteins.
Are small mixed dog breeds low-energy?
No. Exercise and enrichment needs depend on inherited drives, age, health, and temperament—not size alone. A small Chorkie, Beagi, or Maltipoo may still need daily activity and training.
Is a Goldendoodle a recognized dog breed?
Most commonly named designer crosses, including Goldendoodles, do not have a universally accepted breed standard. They are intentional crosses rather than automatically established breeds.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhat health tests should a mixed-breed puppy have?
The parents should be screened for conditions relevant to both parent breeds. Depending on the pairing, appropriate checks may include orthopedic, eye, cardiac, and genetic testing. Ask for records rather than accepting a verbal claim.
Can you predict a mixed dog’s adult size?
Only approximately in many cases. Size is especially difficult to predict when the parent breeds differ greatly, as with Pomskies, or when the Poodle or Schnauzer parent may come from different size varieties.
The Bottom Line
There is no single “best” mixed dog breed. The right choice depends on the individual dog’s health, behavior, adult size, grooming needs, inherited drives, and fit with your household. Look past claims about guaranteed temperament, non-shedding coats, or superior health. Verify parent health testing when dealing with a breeder, and assess the actual dog—not just the name attached to it.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
