Mongrels: description of mongrel dogs and the subtleties of their breeding

Mutts are the largest group of dogs on earth. Moreover, they have no names, are not classified, are little studied. In fact, these are street dogs that do not have a pedigree and thoroughbred parents. They are often afraid, offended, but many are happy to take the yard dogs to the house. And not only for the protection of private housing, but also in apartments, as a companion and friend. Mongrels, like dogs of any other breed, have their own advantages and disadvantages. Before you get a dog, you need to study its features.

Outbred mongrels are very common in our country. They are not distinguished by special beauty, but each of them is individual. Despite their inconspicuousness and prestige, domestic dogs are very popular among our fellow citizens, and can compete with the most thoroughbred champions in this. Such dogs are often used as watchmen, companions. This is a universal group.

A mongrel is a dog born out of the plan, anyone can be its parents: thoroughbred dogs, purebred dogs, mixed breeds. Many representatives of the yard group are similar to any of the breeds: shepherd dogs, terriers. This is because in the family they have one or another thoroughbred dog. Homeless dogs are nothing more than a product of man’s irresponsible attitude towards dogs. The abandoned animals reproduced quite energetically, and so there was a huge and homeless canine diaspora.

Some mongrels even have wolves.These are the most dangerous representatives of the yard: aggressive, courageous, not oriented towards friendship with a person. Such animals are able to unite in packs, to attack. Uncontrolled breeding has led to the fact that the immunity of dogs has become excellent, and the number - threatening.

The description of the mutts is rather arbitrary, because they do not have a single standard and characteristics. For thoroughbred representatives, the exterior is incredibly important, breeders artificially fix certain genes and signs. Mutts are free in this sense, they have absolutely no restrictions.

During the trend of hounds, huskies and shepherd dogs, yard dogs gradually acquired characteristic features of the breeds. Today, a mongrel can look different: there are beautiful, even spectacular representatives, there are inconspicuous, ordinary ones. The height and weight of dogs is diverse: from miniature to large, but the most common is the average size.

Colors have virtually no limits:

• redheads;
• black
• white
• gray
• fawn;
• two- or three-color;
• with bruising, spots, specks, tan marks in any areas.

Externally, a dog can combine several characteristic features of a breed at once. The type of coat can be short or long, wavy or straight, thick or not too much. But almost all of them have well-developed undercoat, which allows them not to freeze on the street in any weather.

First of all, it is believed that outbred dogs grow stronger and healthier. This is due not only to natural selection in conditions of complex survival, but also to the highest heterozygosity. After all, thoroughbred dogs are limited in choosing partners for offspring, therefore, in fact, they are relatives. This cannot but leave an imprint on their physiology, immunity, genetics. At the same time, one cannot talk about the unconditional health of outbred dogs. They also suffer from a number of genetic diseases, mental disorders. Nevertheless, the more diverse ancestors the dog has in its pedigree, the more its immunity is strong. Purebred individuals cannot boast of this.

The list of genetic abnormalities in outbred dogs is much shorter, especially in comparison with young breeds, where crossbreeding occurs among close relatives as well. Ancient breeds gradually weed out a bad gene in a population. In the yard everything happens much faster, all the genes that impede the process of survival are eliminated.

Natural selection gradually forms dogs that combine the best properties. They do not need to be constantly monitored by a veterinarian, with proper treatment they can even cope with a plague.

The most common diseases among yard dogs:

• infectious disease;
• eye diseases;
• skin problems.

Less common are violations of the digestive tract, blood diseases. Most susceptible to disease are babies up to 2 months old and older dogs. Regardless of the age at which the dog gets to the owner from the street, it is necessary to examine the animal. It is also important to vaccinate and antiparasitic treatment.

As regards the intelligence of purebred dogs, there are many myths here. Recent studies by Stockholm scientists have shown that the quality properties of thoroughbred dogs decline over time. Studies have confirmed that people's craving for cute, cute, and humble animals has led evolutionary laws to stop working. Therefore, not the strongest survives. The principles of modern dog breeding have led to a decrease in the intellectual and behavioral abilities of breeds. Moreover, scientists managed to draw an alternative between appearance and mind.Most of the cutest decorative breeds have the lowest mental powers.

At the same time, dog handlers stubbornly continue to argue that yard dogs are too stupid compared to purebred. This is nothing more than a myth, since many mongrels can withstand the competition with representatives of many breeds. Moreover, about 80% of mongrels have noble ancestors in the pedigree.

Yard dogs do not have a clearly defined behavioral standard. The temperament of a dog, its character traits are influenced not only by genetics, but also by the environment and living conditions. This is especially important at an early age of the puppy. Owners of mutts note the following qualities:

• calm, balanced disposition;
• strong devotion and loyalty to the owner;
• activity, energy;
• sociability;
• physical strength, fortress;
• good nature, but outbreaks of aggression may occur;
• reactions are often unpredictable.

If the house has children, you need to carefully consider the decision to bring a yard dog from the street. It is better to pre-test the animal and evaluate its temper.

It is very important to talk about such a quality of a dog as devotion. They are incredibly affectionate. Accustomed to the owner and his family, they will always remain faithful to them. Yard dogs usually find a good language with children and other animals. At the same time, strangers cause a negative reaction in them. Therefore, from the mutts are excellent watchmen. This dog makes an excellent protector for all family members. The mongrel will be betrayed to the owner, regardless of what age she came to him. Change of ownership becomes an incredibly difficult test for them.

Poor origin of mongrels offset by a large number of advantages:

• a high degree of affection and devotion, gratitude to the owner;
• excellent wit, good intelligence;
• good ability to train;
• energy, endurance;
• unpretentiousness in feeding, conditions;
• excellent health, immunity to diseases;
• long life;
• excellent security and protective qualities;
• not worth the money.

There are a number of disadvantages to consider:

• unpredictability of neither appearance nor size as it grows;
• character and temperament are also not predicted;
• inability to participate in exhibition forums;
• many mongrels look mediocre, and not too pretty.

Keeping mongrels will not become a problem in any home environment - both in an apartment and in a private house. These are unpretentious creatures that are content with a set of ordinary procedures.

• Hair care. First of all, wool needs to be combed on a regular basis. The frequency of this event depends on the type of coat and undercoat. Ideally, at least once every 3-4 days. For these purposes, a special brush for dogs with coarse or soft hair is used. Periodically, if necessary, the wool is trimmed so that no tangles are formed.
• Water treatments. Include daily cleansing of the paws after walking, if the dog is kept in the apartment. It is often not recommended to wash the dog, as this procedure harms the natural protective layer of coat and skin. It is enough to bat the mongrel no more than 4 times a year.
• Care for the ears, eyes, skin. First of all, this is a regular inspection for contamination, inflammation. Dirt is removed with cotton swabs or sticks. If you find an inflammatory process, pus, foreign objects, you should show the dog to the veterinarian. The skin of the dog should be checked for the presence of various kinds of formations, insects, wounds, scratches.
• Oral care. Weekly you need to check your mouth and brush your teeth with special fluoride pastes, and against tartar.
• Claw Care. Typically, claws grind on stones and asphalt for walks, but sometimes clipping is required. The procedure is not recommended more often than once a month. It is necessary to use as many special nail clippers, it is forbidden to use scissors.
• Health. The dog is regularly required to be vaccinated and carry out external and internal treatment against parasites.

Mongrels are not particularly picky and fastidious in food, their stomach is adapted to a wide variety of foods. Therefore, you can organize feeding as ready-made feed mixtures, and natural products. Newborns and puppies 1 month old receive food 5-6 times a day, in equal portions. After this age, the number of feeds is gradually reduced, and by the age of 8 months it reaches two times a day. If you prefer ready-made food, then focus on the weight and age of the dog. Simple, natural food is great for mongrels.

A healthy diet of a dog consists of boiled cereals in a broth of meat, bones, offal. Periodically give the dog a sour milk, vegetables and fruits according to the season. Every few days, you can diversify the menu with marine-type fish without stones, boiled eggs. It is strictly forbidden to give the dog food from his table, as well as:

• sweet pastries;
• salty, pepper;
• smoked products.

As already noted, the intelligence of outbred dogs is quite high, it is easy to train them. Studies have shown that mongrels lose in training ability only to such highly intelligent breeds as a shepherd, collie, doberman. If you start raising a mongrel in time, you will be surprised at her plastic character, obedience. Not all thoroughbred brothers can boast of such qualities.

As for the use, such dogs are most often used as watchmen, due to their excellent protective qualities. Experts note that the guards from the mongrels are excellent, better than many breeds, with the exception of a few service ones. Cleverness and excellent memory allow the mongrel to quickly memorize the skills and commands of the owner. They are quite curious, therefore they willingly participate in the process of training, learning new things. It is noted that only breeds such as border, shepherd, boxer and rottweiler are more interested in training.

With all this, it cannot be said that raising a mongrel is such a simple matter. The unpredictability of character is the main minus of this group of dogs. If the animal has not been tested for behavioral reactions, it can be aggressive in certain situations. If you notice something like this in your dog, it will be difficult to educate him, but it is quite realistic if the correction and control are properly organized.

Cleverness is not the only intellectual dignity of mongrels. They are endowed with excellent sensitivity, so they well determine the mood of the owner. This allows them to predict and take into account the wishes of the owner, to be disciplined, grateful.

You can not leave the child alone with a dog until you are convinced of his trustworthiness and adequate behavioral reactions. Ideally, it’s good to know something about the dog’s parents, so you can make an approximate forecast of the character and behavior.

Despite the fact that the mongrel learns everything in a short time, it is necessary to show the dog an example from the first days. Demonstration of acceptable and unacceptable behavior should be organized as soon as the dog got into your house. To do this correctly, follow the following algorithm.

• Preparation. Before you bring a puppy or dog to your home, prepare a place for it. Despite the unpretentiousness, it is better if it is comfortable. In the apartment it’s a couch with removable pillowcases, on the street is a warm booth.Also purchased toys, bowls for food and water, a collar, a chain for the street, a leash for walking.
• First skills. His name is the first thing a dog learns. In addition, from the first days of the dog you need to wean barking is not the case, rush to passers-by with walking. If the dog lives in the apartment, immediately teach her to defecate on the street.
• The first teams. You need to start training immediately after the previous paragraph is fully mastered by the puppy. Commands of a simple type: “to me”, “fu”, “to sit” and “to lie” the mongrel will learn without much difficulty.

Puppies without a breed are not a scarce segment. Where exactly you decide to take non-pedigree dogs does not matter much. Small mongrels are sold in the markets, through online resources, and can be found at dog shelters. However, there are rules that should be followed when choosing a pet, then its taming will become less difficult.

• Evaluate the dog's place of residence, how much the conditions of the parents comply with sanitary standards. If everything is running and dirty, the dog may be sick.
• Pay attention to appearance, It must be healthy, pus and inflammation on the mucous membranes should not be. The nose of a healthy dog ​​is wet, the abdomen is not inflated.
• Rate the temperament. Too sluggish, lethargic, cowardly, aggressive - not the best option. Adequate puppy is curious, cheerful, active, energetic, playful.

The biggest problem when taming will bring cowardly puppies. Growing up in adult dogs, they will rush at passers-by, strangers. It will be almost impossible to wean them from this. Friendliness is the first sign of a baby’s mental health. He can be careful, this is normal, but after a short period of time he will certainly show interest, sniff, wag his tail. To tame such a yard dog will be quite simple.

Very often, mongrels get to their owners directly from the street. If you decide to shelter and save just such a dog, you need to hold some events. To get started, take the puppy to the veterinarian, check his health status, age, there he will be given the necessary help, vaccinated.

Most often, dogs are either born on the street, or are there because of the dishonest attitude of the owners. After you interviewed your neighbors, posted announcements and made sure that the dog was a draw, visited the veterinarian, you can pick it up for yourself. The algorithm of actions in this case is similar to that when buying a puppy. Prepare a place for him, feed him, give him a good rest, get used to it. The dog needs to sleep off and adapt, feel safe.

When giving a dog food for the first time, do not burden her stomach unaccustomed to good food, let her feed be modest, easy. Cottage cheese, broth, porridge are perfect. Be sure to give the dog a drink. It is not worth immediately starting to educate, in the early days it is pointless to demand complete submission. A dog that falls into the wrong hands for him is under stress, he needs time to adapt. Set aside workouts, training, and games for a while.

First of all, it is necessary to establish relations, bring them to a trusting, friendly level. This is achieved by affectionate handling, regular feeding, care. After waiting, therefore, a few days, you can contact the veterinarian to assess the state of health, the psyche. It should be vaccinated, treatment against parasites. After that, you can wash the dog and put on a special flea collar.

Proper training of a street dog will lead to a grateful attitude, devotion. But the instincts acquired on the street will periodically make themselves felt, you should control the behavior of the dog at this time. Otherwise, the dog may run away and become homeless again. To prevent this from happening, do not leave your pet alone for a long time, be friendly, take care of him.

The behavior characterized by dog ​​breeders as rebellious can cause the owner some trouble. Not all yard dogs are subject to this, but you need to know how to behave in such cases. If among the ancestors of the dog were breeds independent in nature, the dog can exhibit such qualities.

• Revolt - this is the behavior of denial, when the dog does not obey, its provocative look, there is a test for the role of leader. First of all, it is necessary to pronounce a command that has already been learned - "not" or "fu."
• Puberty. At this time, the dog becomes independent, too self-confident and tries to challenge leadership. Riot may not be too pronounced.
• Scream. Shouts at the dog only provoke her to continue the riot. Never raise your voice, consistency and severity on a dog - the best methods of training and education.
• If the riot drags on, make eye contact with the dog, look confidently and calmly. This is the best way to prove your leadership. After the dog calms down, the command repeats again.

Biting is another inadequate habit of yard dogs. It does not matter what motivation drives the dog - a game or aggression. In any case, you will have to get rid of this in the process of taming. There are several methods to achieve this goal:

• a grip on the nose, which lasts until the animal calms down;
• capture of the lower jaw during a bite attempt, while lightly pressing with a finger on the tongue area;
• game biting should cause an immediate termination of the game and expressing their dissatisfaction with the behavior;
• Do not bite the dog in response;
• failure to comply with the termination command may be accompanied by a light pop on the backside of the newspaper.

To tame a dog from the street, you will have to show firmness, perseverance and character. You need to be calm, confident, but consistent in actions. Remember that discipline is what you need to teach a mongrel as early as possible. Moreover, the leadership of the owner should be expressed in moral superiority, and not in assault and screaming.

Here, no specialist will give a 100% guarantee. First of all, the conditions in which the dog was located and the conditions of its keeping after taming were very important. Eternally hungry stray dogs that periodically enter into fights and receive injuries are unlikely to live very long. If a dog is taken at a relatively young age and is kept in good conditions, it can live much longer than its noble counterparts. Good immunity, immunity to diseases make the mongrel a long-liver. In addition, the factor of natural selection has a lifespan, because the strongest survives in street conditions. Natural hardening makes the dog stronger and more resilient.

Relations after taming play a huge role. Poor nutrition, monotonous life, constant sitting on a chain, lack of movement can significantly shorten the dog's life. Caring for a mongrel, although simple, but requires regularity, care. If you want the dog to live long and active, you need to make a competent diet, which will contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Regularly inspect the animal, pay attention to its behavior. Lethargy, refusal of food are the first signs of a health disorder.

To find out the age of the street dog is quite difficult. Keep in mind that in half a year the dog is no longer a puppy, but a teenager. By the way the dog looks, it is difficult to determine its age. Best if done by a veterinarian. He will orientate his teeth - the most reliable method:

• up to 20 days, the puppy has no teeth at all;
• up to 35 days there are fangs in the amount of 4 pieces;
• after a month and a half, incisors appear, 6 pieces;
• after two months of age - 3 chewing;
• up to 4 months, the dog should have 28 teeth, then the change of milk begins;
• at half a year the dog should have edges and a fifth root, at 7 months a sixth is added.

The lack of belonging to a noble family does not prevent mongrels from seeking fame and recognition. The stories of such dogs were reflected in the literature, outbred animals traveled to space. The mongrels are even erected monuments. The most star mongrels are, of course, the Squirrel and the Arrow. The legendary space dogs successfully flew into space. The history of the Great Patriotic War knows a huge number of dog feats, when fearless dogs looked for mines, blew up tanks, dragged the wounded. For their ingenious works, the image of mongrels was used by Mikhail Bulgakov, Eduard Asadov, Anton Chekhov.

In the next video you will find interesting facts about the mongrel.