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From Wikipedia A mixed-breed dog
(also called a mutt, crossbreed, mongrel, a bitsa, tyke, cur, or
random-bred dog) is a dog that has characteristics of more than two
breeds, or is a descendant of feral or pariah dog populations. The term
"mutt" generally refers to a dog of unknown descent. Dogs interbreed
freely, except where extreme variations in size exist, so mixed-breed
dogs vary in size, shape, and color, making them hard to classify
physically.
All possible body shapes, ear types, and tail styles can
appear in mixed breeds. Extremes in appearance, such as the flattened
face of the Bulldog or the extremely curled tail of the Pug, seldom
survive even the first crossbreeding. Mixed-breeds also tend to have a
size between that of their parents.
Predicting the adult appearance of a mixed-breed puppy is difficult.
Even purebred puppies do not look much like the adult dogs they will
become, and with mixed-breed puppies it is nearly impossible. If one
knows the breeds of the parents, some characteristics can be ruled out;
for example, a cross between two small purebreds will not result in a
dog the size of a Great Dane. Some breeds tend to pass on their physical
traits to mixes more than others. Border Collies and some Spaniels, for
example, often produce offspring with similar coats and ears. The
crossbreed offspring of German Shepherds usually have Shepherd faces and
other characteristics.
With each generation of indiscriminate mixing, the offspring move closer
to the genetic norm. Dogs that are descended from many generations of
mixes are typically light brown or black and weigh about 18 kg (40 lb).
They typically stand between 38 and 57 cm (15 and 23 inches) tall at the
withers.
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