Introduction

      A mixed-breed dog, as the name implies, is one that’s a mix of two or more breeds — as opposed to purebred dogs, which can trace their lineage back to purebred parents and grandparents and on and on. Believe it or not, mixed-breed dogs are more numerous than purebred dogs and, until recently, they were thought of as less-than-ideal pets and companions. But with the new designer-dog hybrid craze, all that has drastically changed. Many people are willing to spend upwards of $2,000 for a mixed-breed dog just because they know the dog’s parents were purebreds.

      Even though mixed-breed dogs — designer or not — may not have consistent attributes (like size and appearance), they can make great companions, often with fewer physical problems than pedigreed dogs.

      I should know: I’ve been training dogs for more than 40 years. Plus, my studies in psychology and zoology have gone a long way toward helping me understand why dogs behave the way they do. I’ve written and published numerous articles and books about dogs, their behavior, care, breed specifics, and training. I’ve researched numerous breeds, including their characteristics and behavior. And as a professional trainer, I’ve worked with many breeds and breed mixes, teaching them to behave and live harmoniously with their human companions as well as other animals.

      In this book, I’ve brought together all the material you need to help you live with and train your mixed-breed dog. Remember: A dog doesn’t have to have a pedigree to be a good companion. It merely has to have quality care, guidance, consistency, and understanding. Mixed Breeds For Dummies will help you develop a great relationship with your mixed-breed dog.

About This Book

      Although you’ll find all kinds of useful information in each chapter of this book, you don’t have to read it all to benefit from it. Each chapter contains all the tools you need to accomplish specific goals.

Though this book declares to be about mixed-breed dogs it’s actually about all dogs, because mixed-breed dogs are the combinations of many dogs. Although designer dogs are actually hybrids, consisting of the breeding of two purebreds, mixed breeds often contain more than two breeds — sometimes as many as ten, or more, depending on the genetics of the parents. The information in this book pertains to all breeds of dogs, so whether you have a mixed-breed dog or a purebred dog, you’ll benefit from reading this book.

      Also, it’s true that I have lots of credentials — from degrees to publications to hands-on experience — but this book isn’t about my standing up on a soapbox and lecturing you. I know you’re busy, so in this book, I tell you only what you need to know and nothing that you don’t.

      If you’re short on time, you can safely skip the sidebars (text in gray boxes) — the information they contain is interesting but not critical. You can also skip any paragraphs marked by the Technical Stuff icon (see “Icons Used in This Book,” later in this Introduction, for more information).

      Within this book, you may note that some web addresses break across two lines of text. If you’re reading this book in print and want to visit one of these web pages, simply key in the web address exactly as it’s noted in the text, pretending as though the line break doesn’t exist. If you’re reading this as an e-book, you’ve got it easy — just click the web address to be taken directly to the web page.

Foolish Assumptions

      Because you’ve picked up this book I assume you’re not a dummy. You’re either thinking of getting a mixed-breed dog or you already own one. Plus, the fact that you want to find out more about your dog makes you exceptionally intelligent. I make some other assumptions about you:

Icons Used in This Book

      Icons are those little eye-catching pictures in the margin of this book. These icons are eye-catching for a reason: They flag important information. Here’s what they mean:

Beyond the Book

      In addition to the book you have in your hands, you can access some extra content online. Check out the free Cheat Sheet for questions to ask when adopting a dog, tips on temperament testing, and a checklist of supplies to have on hand. Just go to www.dummies.com and type Mixed Breeds For Dummies in the Search box.

Where to Go from Here

Because