<P> A mongrel , mixed - breed dog or mutt is a dog that does not belong to one officially recognized breed and is not the result of intentional breeding . Estimates place their numbers at 150 million animals worldwide . Although the term `` mixed - breed dog '' is preferred by some , many mongrels have no known purebred ancestors . Furthermore , crossbreed dogs , while literally a mix of breeds , differ from mongrels in being intentionally bred . Although mongrels have at times been considered somehow lesser than intentionally bred dogs , they are thought to be less susceptible to genetic health problems associated with dog breeding ( based on the theory of heterosis ) , and have enthusiasts and defenders who prefer them to intentionally bred dogs . </P>
<P> A mongrel , mixed - breed dog or mutt is a dog that does not belong to one officially recognized breed and is not the result of intentional breeding . Estimates place their numbers at 150 million animals worldwide . Although the term `` mixed - breed dog '' is preferred by some , many mongrels have no known purebred ancestors . Furthermore , crossbreed dogs , while literally a mix of breeds , differ from mongrels in being intentionally bred . Although mongrels have at times been considered somehow lesser than intentionally bred dogs , they are thought to be less susceptible to genetic health problems associated with dog breeding ( based on the theory of heterosis ) , and have enthusiasts and defenders who prefer them to intentionally bred dogs . </P>
what do you call a dog that is a mixture of many breeds
what do you call a dog that is a mixture of many breeds
mongrel , mixed - breed dog or mutt
mongrel , mixed - breed dog or mutt