How Do I Tell if My Dog is a Mutt?

So, you've just adopted an adorable fur-baby but don't know their breed. You never saw your pup's parents, and the adoption shelter can't tell you more. This is a mystery many pet parents who adopt from shelters face. 

There are nearly 200 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in the US alone, so finding out your dog's breed isn't a walk in the park. Identifying a dog's breed is tricky, especially if they're a mutt. 

But learning about your dog's genetic makeup is essential, as you'll want to know about any hereditary traits or health concerns. Read on to learn what makes a dog a mutt and how to tell if your dog is a mutt.

Despite any negative connotations the word may have, a mutt is simply a dog of mixed breed. Mutts have at least 2 parent breeds, but 3 and sometimes even 4 parent breeds is common. A mutt generally refers to a dog with an unclear genetic background and parents who are also mixed breeds themselves.

So, does that mean mutts, mixed breeds, and designer dogs are basically the same thing? Kind of. These terms all refer to dogs whose parents are of different breeds, but they're not exactly interchangeable.

The only significant difference between designer dogs and mutts is that designer dogs are bred intentionally from two different breeds. Designer dogs are meant to take the best qualities of two breeds and put them into one pup. 

For example, a Goldendoodle is a mix of purebred Poodle and purebred Golden Retriever. This hybrid creates a dog with the kind nature and trainability of a Golden Retriever and the intelligence of a Poodle. They also shed very little, making them perfect for pet parents with allergies. You'll always know a designer dog's parent breeds — they're specially bred and expensive to adopt or buy.

On the other paw, purebred dogs have parents of the same breed and registration papers from a kennel club that prove this is the case. 

Trying to find out your dog's breed? Luckily, there are lots of ways you can find out if your dog's a mutt by doing a bit of detective work. These methods will help you confirm whether you have a purebred pup and a mixed breed mutt. 

Examine your dog's features

You can take an educated guess at your dog's genetic makeup by examining their appearance and behavior. Many dog breeds have specific traits that will help you identify your doggo, or at least narrow down the possibilities. 

For example, if you have a small dog that has a squashed face with large "bat-like" ears, they might be part French Bulldog. Or, if you have a medium-sized dog with a tan coat and sloped back, they might be part German Shepherd. 

Some behavioral traits can be even more helpful in telling a dog's breed makeup. Beagles have a distinctive "yodel" howl that is easy to identify. If you have a large dog with webbed paws that loves water, they might be part Newfoundland. If your dog tries to herd everything in sight, they might be part Collie. 

You might also want to consider which dogs are the most popular breeds in the US. Many dog breeds are rare, meaning they're unlikely to feature in your dog's genetic makeup. For example, there's a much higher chance your doggo is part Rottweiler than part Entlebucher Mountain Dog (even though they have similar facial markings). 

Chat with a veterinary professional

You'll likely need to take your pooch to the vet shortly after adoption. Vets see dogs of all shapes and sizes and may be able to identify whether your dog is purebred or a mutt. They may even be able to tell your dog's breed!

Do you have a quick question about your dog's breed? Chat with a veterinary professional 24/7 through Wag! Vet Chat.

Use a dog breed identification app

While you can look at your dog's features or chat to a vet, you'll likely never be sure of your dog's breed with these methods. Many dog breed identification apps work well and can even tell which breeds are present in a mutt. 

One of the most popular dog identification apps is Dog Scanner: Breed Recognition, which will ID your mutt and even tell you the percentage of each breed in your mixed dog. These apps aren't guaranteed to work or be 100% accurate, but they will help you tell if your dog is a mutt. 

Order a dog DNA test

The only concrete way to find out about your dog's breed makeup is to order a doggy DNA test. While all dogs have the same genetic makeup, the DNA of different breeds varies slightly, allowing geneticists to identify specific breeds. 

When you receive your dog DNA test in the mail, you simply have to swab your dog's mouth for saliva and send it off to get tested. The best dog DNA tests, like Embark and Wisdom Panel, cost around $100, but they're worth the money. 

As well as identifying your dog's breed, these tests can also tell you about any hereditary health problems or unique traits which might require special veterinary care as your pup ages. 

Common hereditary health issues such as hip dysplasia and patella luxation can be expensive to treat if not identified early. Knowing this information about your dog's health could save you thousands of dollars in the future.