Why Are So Many “Mixed Breeds” in Shelters? 

If you have ever looked at adoptable dogs online, you may have noticed something: many of them are listed as “mixed breed.” People often ask, “Why are there so many mixed breeds in shelters?” 

The short answer is this: most dogs in the United States are mixed breed, and accurately identifying a dog’s breed based on appearance alone is extremely difficult. 

According to national estimates from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), roughly 44–55% of pet dogs in U.S. households are mixed breed. That means mixed-breed dogs are not the exception.  

Looks Can Be Very Misleading 

Here is something that surprises many people: 

You cannot accurately identify most dog breeds just by looking at them. Research has shown that even trained shelter staff, breeders, and veterinarians often guess wrong when trying to label a dog’s breed based on appearance alone. Give this quiz a try and see for yourself! 

Two dogs can look almost identical but have very different genetic backgrounds. A dog that appears to be a “Lab mix” may have little or no Labrador Retriever in their DNA at all. Many breeds share similar physical traits such as coat color, ear shape, body size, or tail length. Those features can combine in countless ways across generations. 

DNA Tests Tell a Different Story 

When shelters have conducted DNA testing, the results often surprise everyone. 

Dogs labeled as one type of mix sometimes turn out to have three, four, or even fourteen different breeds in their background. That is why most shelters, including the Humane Society of Utah, use the term “mixed-breed.” It is an honest and transparent way to acknowledge that, without verified parentage, assigning a specific breed is simply guesswork, and visual identification alone is notoriously unreliable. 

Rather than risk mislabeling and setting unrealistic expectations, we focus on what we can accurately assess: the dog’s personality, behavior, and needs. 

Personality Matters More Than a Label 

Breed can sometimes offer general insights about size or energy level. But it does not tell the whole story. Every dog is an individual. 

Some mixed-breed dogs love long hikes in the mountains. Others prefer short walks and long naps on the couch. Some are social butterflies. Others thrive in quieter homes. Observed behavior and temperament are far more predictive of success in a home than a breed label guessed from appearance. 

Primrose arrived at the Humane Society of Utah as a 2–4 day old stray, found without her mother or littermates. Like many orphaned puppies, there was no background information, no breed paperwork, and no reliable way to determine her heritage. 

As she grew, Primrose looked like a puzzle in motion. She had the coloring and facial markings of a husky, but her shorter, velvety coat resembled a bully-type breed. Then her behavior added another twist: strong herding instincts. At just six weeks old, she was already nipping at the ankles of the adult dogs in her foster home and trying to herd them around the living room, classic cattle dog behavior. 

Her foster family chose to do a DNA test before adoption, confirming what her personality had already suggested: Primrose was not one breed. She was many. 

Stories like Primrose’s are exactly why shelters often use the label “mixed breed.” Without verified parentage, assigning a specific breed is simply guesswork. Many dogs in shelters are blends of multiple breeds, sometimes in surprising combinations. What truly matters is how they behave, how they bond, and what kind of home will help them thrive. 

Find Your Perfect Match 

If you are looking for a dog, try looking beyond the breed label. Ask about energy level. Ask about play style. Ask what kind of home environment would be the best fit. 

Our team of staff and volunteers spends time getting to know each dog during their stay. We observe their interactions with other dogs, comfort level with people, and daily habits. That information is far more helpful than a breed guess. 

The right dog for you may not come with a clear breed name. But they will come with a personality, a story, and a heart ready for a home. And that is what truly matters.