What's the best word to describe a dog that doesn't belong to any particular breed?

Mutt in NE USA.

A mutt is a dog of unknown breed mixes but if you know what breeds it is then mixed breed works better.

Technically mutt is the answer, but that's really not the most common or natural way to say it where I'm from. It would be way more common to just use what breed it most closely resembles and add "mix". For example, I'd call your dog a "lab mix" to imply that your dog is like a lab but is a mixed breed. My dog looks like a lab but has the colors of a German shepherd, and we say "German shepherd lab mix".

Mutt is the most neutral though where I’m from (Pacific Northwest )hound is common 

Mixed-breed = You know which breeds are mixed. I used to have a Mixed-breed. He was a Golden Retriever + Australian Shepherd. Sometimes called an Australian Retriever. Not a Golden Shepherd. A Golden Shepherd is Golden Retriever + German Shepherd. Mutt = You don't know what it is, but it's not purebred.

"Mongrel" is the technically correct term, but it feels like an ugly word now due to its use for things other than dogs. Mutt is something I've only heard from Americans. Mixed breed is nice and safe, if a little cumbersome. I have encountered native English speakers for whom "Mongrel" was just an unpleasant, racially charged word and/or a generic unpleasant word for a dog; they didn't actually know the technical meaning. It's possible this is one of those words on its way to losing its original meaning entirely.

In Galician we use "can de palleiro" to refer to a dog without salient qualities. Note: today "Can de palleiro" is a native breed although its presence is still very minority.

Mutt is what my folks have always used. (USA)

Mutt or mixed-breed here in America. Not sure about the UK. “Mongrel” has negative connotations, so you probably shouldn’t use that.

Mutt. Mongrel, to me, has a more negative connotation. You’d likely use mixed-breed if you fully know what breeds make up the dog, but you can still just use mutt.

yep, South-east US we call it a mutt

“Mutt” is only rude because pure bred dogs were only owned by wealthy. Mutt is the “everyman” dog. The regular dog.

"Mongrel" and "mutt" both have negative connotations. "Mixed-breed" is the best description for your good girl.

My father calls them "street winners".

Mutt

Our handsome boy looked like he was bred that way. People asked what kind of dog he was, and we said he was a special custom blend.

Mutt

Cur.

Mutt 100%

UK, Mongrel \[and is the correct term\] US euphemism, mutt \[because the US are always a bit prudish about words that could possibly have more than one meaning.\] Sorry, US, but you are. \[I expect backlash from this, of course.\] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongrel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongrel)

Mixed-breed = You know which breeds are mixed. I used to have a Mixed-breed. He was a Golden Retriever + Australian Shepherd. Sometimes called an Australian Retriever. Not a Golden Shepherd. A Golden Shepherd is Golden Retriever + German Shepherd. Mutt = You don't know what it is, but it's not purebred.

beautiful. amazing, angelic .

Mutt is the correct term I believe, but i’ve always tought strange that is just feel words for it, in portuguese there is kinda more words for these dogs, and some specific depending of the characteristics of the dog

Bitser or Mutt

Mutt and you can also say "[breed] mix" if it has strong features of one specific breed, for instance "Lab mix." Midwest USA

I would say mutt or "a mix", but id only use mix if I know the breeds. What i haven't seen on the sub yet that surprises me is "heinz 57". I had to Google where it came from so i could explain. Its from the company Heinz having 57 "varieties" of products, and its been adapted as a slang term for a bunch of stuff mixed together. I hear this a lot about rescue dogs that have a variety of unique features that make their breed determinations extremely difficult of even impossible without a DNA test. I think the technical term for this is "supermutt". Just a hodgepodge of mixed breed ancestry that culminated in, well, something like [this](https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTjP2SgQ4/)

Hi. Going by the picture, I'd describe her as a labrador cross.

"Good dog."

Best friend

A friend of mine used to say "We're pretty sure she's mostly dog"

Mixed breed would typically be if you know what breeds, like a German shepherd and poodle cross, and usually no more than two breeds. Mutt is more if you don’t know what breeds the dog is or may be. Mongrel is more a problematic stray than any kind of mix of breeds.

Mongrel is what people say in the UK.

We call it "vira-lata" in brazil. It means in someway "trash picker" Or "caramelo", because of his yellowish color. It means "caramel"

In DR it is called “viralata”

Mutt or mongrel. In Spanish we call it "chucho".

Dog.  “What kind of dog is that?” (Said about either of my rescue mutts) Me: shrugs “dog.”

Mongrel has a negative connotation. Mutt CAN have a negative connotation to some, but is frequently used affectionately. Mixed-breed is a generic way to say it.

Mutt is a common and slightly negative noun, mongrel and cur are more archaic and are very negative, and mixed-breed is a neutral adjective

mutt or mongrel. village dog is also a term if the dogs are local to a community or village but have unknown breed (not a known mix).

A mutt or mixed breed

Australia here. 'Bitser' is a term I have heard used. Bits o' this, bits o' that ...

Mutt. Or if you're being playful, "her breed is dog."

A dog that is not pure bred is typically called "mixed breed" (adjective) or a "mutt" (noun). The term "mongrel" is also correct, but has also been used historically and pejoratively by bigots / racists to describe people and thus carries an offensive connotation.

I think mutt is the best way. The others seem negative or more specific, like if you say mixed-breed you would normally specify which breeds. Adorable doggy btw!!

Heinz 57. It's not derogatory, yes, it's a brand, but it gives enough info to suggest multiple "types" into one.

It's a lick'n'biter.

“Mixed breed” is the preferred term nowadays.

Heinz 57

most people would probably say mutt or mix. when i had a rescue, i called her a pound puppy.

Mutt Is colloquial while mongrel is more formal

In America we say mutt. I’d be very careful using mongrel or mixed breed as both terms can have *extremely* negative connotations when not used in conjunction with dogs.

Mutt is the nicer term. Mix-breed works too. Heinz 57 is an American term.

100% pure good dog is what I call them.

Personally I’d only use mutt if I was referring to my own dog, I wouldn’t want to offend anyone by mistake. I think mixed breed or just mix is more polite

Use mutt, mongrel is for people that look different than you

Mutt, mixed-breed, but you can also just say "a mix" "Oh, what kind of dog?" "She's a mix." 

Mutt for unknown, mixed breed if you know the major designations for its parents (because people will ask "what with?" when you say its mixed)

Heinz (=57 varieties). But in the UK we care less about this kind of breeding than some other places do. But we do care about what type of school the dog's grandad went to, and what time it eats dinner.

***Mutt*** is the most common term in the U.S. ***Mongrel*** sounds too negative—not a word a dog-lover would use. ***Mixed breed*** is fine, but formal. ***Heinz 57*** is a common way of referring to a beloved mutt.

Mutt = A mixed breed dog. Pedigree = A pure breed dog.

As others have said Mutt is most common, but if you know some of the parentage you could say that breed and mix. Example: If the dog looks like a lab and the mother was lab or the daughter of a lab, you could say that she's a **Lab-Mix.** If you know specifics there are a lot of specific mixes that people like and breed, especially with poodles (Labradoodle, Cock-a-poo, Goldendoodle, Corgi-Poo) see here for more: [https://www.marthastewart.com/7974587/poodle-mixes](https://www.marthastewart.com/7974587/poodle-mixes)

Heinz 57 in the North of England

I know a good girl when I see one. What an angel. 🥰

Mutt

Mutt or mixed breed

Most Americans are mutts

Heinz 57.

Mongrel.

Mutt is pretty standard. My grandma, who worked for a veterinarian for years, used to refer to them as “Heinz 57,” after the sauce, because they are a dog with a little bit of everything in them. 

Mutt

“Mongrel” in the UK, it has no negative connotations here.

On the West Coast US, the most common word would be mutt, or [breed] mix, but my personal preference is "shelter special"

In ttinidad and maybe the rest of tue Caribbean... Pothound

Mixed or cross in my part of the UK. I never hear mongrel despite some posters claiming it's what we say. Some of us also use 'mutt' to mean a generic dog regardless of breed.

A Bitsa. “Bits a’ this and bits a’ that”

Cute dog!

Good Boi. Whatever the gender.

“Mix” or “mixed breed” is the safest choice, at least in the U.S. “Mutt” is probably okay but can carry a slight negative connotation. “Mongrel” often carries a negative connotation.

I mainly use mutt, occasionally mixed-breed. I don't think I know anyone who uses mongrel. You could also say "Heinz 57" haha

Mutt

I grew up using the word mix. In fact, mutt even sounds slightly disrespectful to my ears (But, based on the other comments, "mutt" seems to just be the normal word in some places). For example, if you don't know the dog's breed at all: * "What kind of dog is (s)he?" * "Oh, (s)he's a mix." And if there is a main breed, but you know it's not a purebred: * "What kind of dog is (s)he?" * "(S)he's a black lab mix."

In The Netherlands they're called bin-breeds. Presumably because we use to have strays here a long time ago, which are typically mutts, and they ate out of bins

Canadian here in Ontario I’ve always heard it called a mutt

naughty doy,hahahhahha

Mutt or mongrel

mixed breed, in Canada the word mongrel and mutt both come across as rude

“Mutt” is common in the US—DO NOT use “mongrel.” That word has been used to refer (in a derogatory way) to people of mixed-race and is commonly seen as offensive.

In French they are called Bâtards.

I like to use "mutt" because it's kind of a cute word and is often spoken with an affectionate tone. Also, all the best dogs I've known were mutts.

mutt or mix in south east US

If you know the mix, then mixed-breed. If you don't know, then mutt. Mongrel just sounds rude in this day and age, although I don't know if it's ever not sounded rude tbf.

I had a dog like that once. I just said she was 100% a good girl. Maybe half-Jewish on her dad's side.

Mutt in SE USA

Babe 😘

In Australia, we have the term "bitza". Its fairly colloquial, but it communicates the idea well. Etymology is that it's derived from the phrase "bits of this and bits of that," shortened.

UK here and I'd use mongrel.

You have many options, depending on how you want to frame it. Mongrel, mutt, mixed breed, of no discernible pedigree, ...

Mongrel (UK)

regular usage, maybe 'mixed-breed' if you don't want something negative. mutt is less nasty and often used as a bit of an endearment but mongrel doesn't have much positive to it a peculiar South Africa term I hear a lot is "pavement specials" (not going to bring any of the other terms to this discussion because they're mostly ugly, racist or both) also, that dog in the pic? I'd probably call it Labrador mix or Retriever mix

A mongrel in UK

"Caramelo" in Portuguese (Brazil)

My sister has a weird but striking looking dog. She’s often asked what type of dog he is. Her default answer is: “He’s a Friendly Dog”

Mutt

mutt

Mutt or mongrel

A friend has a similar dog and calls it a Heinz.

Mutt or mix

"Mil leches" (thousand milks) in Spanish is crazy for this one.

Mutt

My dog is 7 different breeds so I call him a Pure-bred Mutt

“Mongrel” and “mixed-breed” are both offensive bc they have been used by racist to talk about biracial and multiracial people.

Mutt most often. Heinz-57 if we're feeling funny. It means a little bit of everything.

Heinz 57 or mongrel are what I would recognise in the UK.

a mix of the best breeds .It doesn't matter what breed a dog is-a dog is always awesome

Mutt or bitzer in Australia- or a cross - like a Poodle cross if you know your dog has say Poodle in her but you aren’t sure what else.

Cur dog. Also: Mutt, Mongrel, Heinz 57.

Dog, hey we’re Americans we are almost all of mixed heritage, right? Maybe we should call them all American dogs!

In Trinidad we call them 'pothounds'

Mixed lineage

Mutt. Unless you spent $2000+ on it, then it's a "designer breed". I've also heard "Heinz 57" for a mutt that is impossible to identify, like Benji.

Your dog is so cute! If she’s a mix of many things, the most commonly used word to describe her would be mutt. You could also use mixed-breed if you’d like, both words have the same meaning :)

Hiii what a cute girl!!!!🥰 My Aussie friends use a particular word for them: "mong", which is an Australian slang. But I usually use "Mixed" or "Hybrid"!

cute mutt doggo out here living her best life <3

Colloquial British English also has ‘Heinz’ (57 varieties, from the foodstuff packaging) and ‘bitsa’ (from ‘bits of this, bits of that’)

“Mutt” can be seen as rude. I’d only use it in *very* casual conversations about my own dog. “Mixed-breed” is best any other time.

I would definitely say "Mutt". "Mongrel" sounds very negative (like "This stupid/beastly animal") and "mixed-breed" sounds more specific, such as if you know exactly what breeds the dog is a mix off (Say "half husky/half german shepard" or whatever) Mutt can sometimes have a slightly negative connotation imo, but if you say it neutrally and in reference to the breed (e.g. "He/she's a mutt") then it avoids that.

That's one happy looking dog! 🙂🙂

Bitzer, mutt, mongrel - which one you choose depends how much you like the dog.

Mutt or mongrel

Mutt, Mongrel or informally “Heinz 57” meaning the dog is like the tomato sauce; made up of all sorts of things.

We call our pups “mystery mutts”

Special Edition

Mongrel in my country. Lots of other posters saying "mutt" but never heard that used here. Just mongrel.

In China, its colloquial name is "土狗rustic dog", and its written name is "中华田园犬Chinese village Dog", which literally means a hybrid dog native to China and usually lives in rural areas. Previously, people all believed that purebred dogs were more noble. Now, people have discovered that this kind of native Chinese mixed-breed dog is the best. Every Chinese village dog has various different genes, but it is loyal, kind, obedient and sensible. He is very gentle to his family and will bravely protect his master when facing bad people.

Probably a mutt or a mongrel. My dad calls them 'pavement specials'

politicians