Crossbreeds or mixes with retriever, pointer, setter, or spaniel (except Cocker Spaniel), Beagle, Basset, Foxhound, Coonhound, Bloodhound, Pug, Bulldog, Corgi, Collie, Newfoundland, St. Bernard, Mastiff, Bullmastiff, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, or Samoyed tend to be congenial family pets although several have high energy levels and some are difficult to train.
Terrier mixes or crossbreeds tend to be yappy, high-strung, and stubborn, but are happy, perky companions for those who enjoy a bouncy, cheerful pet. Some terrier mixes are nippy with children.
Crossbreeds or mixes of the working and some herding breeds are often tough and independent. Akita, Rottweiler, Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, Doberman, Briard, Bouvier des Flandres, Australian Cattle Dog, the Belgian breeds, Boxer, Chinese Shar Pei, and Chow Chow belong in this group.
Generally, mixes or crossbreeds of the toy breeds can be high-strung and yappy, and many dislike the attentions and activity of small children. This list includes the Miniature or Toy Poodle, Pomeranian, Shih-Tzu, Pekingese, Chihuahua, Papillon, Bichon Frise, Lhasa Apso, and Yorkshire Terrier.
Several breeds deserve special mention. German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Akita, Chow, Dalmatian, and Cocker Spaniel crossbreeds or mixes can all have either very good or very bad temperaments for life as a family pet. Unfortunately, these breeds suffer from great popularity, which leads to breeding dogs of less-than-optimum temperament and perpetuates overly shy, aggressive, or neurotic characteristics that often overpower the sweet temperaments of a Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Collie, or other mild-mannered dog. Even worse is a combination of these breeds with others that have a tendency towards animal aggression, independence, or stubbornness; thus Chow-Akita or German Shepherd-Alaskan Malamute mixes can be more than a handful and potentially dangerous in the wrong hands.
Last, but certainly not least, is the notorious “pit bull.” This is a breed type, such as spaniel or setter, not a single breed. The American Kennel Club recognizes the American Staffordshire Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Bull Terrier, and the Boston Terrier; the United Kennel Club recognizes the American Pit Bull Terrier. The American Bulldog is a rare breed. Boxer crosses and mixes can resemble the pit bull type, as can small Rottweiler or Great Dane mixes. Actually, any smooth-coated, well-muscled, broad-headed dog between 30 and 80 pounds can be mistaken for a “pit bull,” particularly if it is dark brown, black, or brindle.
These are mainly statistics. However, depending on your situation this could help narrow your search and give you a few ideas.
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