It is commonly said that mixed breed dogs or “mutts” are healthier than purebred dogs. While this might not be entirely true, there might be some health benefits from choosing certain breeds to mix. All dogs evolved from wolves, so different breeds and mixes share similar DNA. By choosing purebred breeds that are generally healthy, you can predict mixed breeds that are less prone to health issues.
Why People Think Mixed Breed Dogs are Healthier
Established breeds with long histories may indeed be prone to specific hereditary health conditions. Mixed breed dogs can still get sick, but they are less likely to inherit a genetic predisposition when their parents are different breeds. Mixed dogs can still suffer from any and all health conditions that affect canines. For example, large dogs (regardless if they are purebred or mixed) are at risk for hip dysplasia due to their size.
Top 10 Healthiest Dogs for Mixed Breeds
There are an endless number of possible combinations for mixed breed dogs. Mutts can be a mix of two breeds or more than 20 breeds. When looking at mixed breeds that are a combination of two purebred parents, it can be helpful to look at how healthy the parent breeds are. Oftentimes, the healthiest mixed breed dogs come from choosing two breeds that are not prone to the same health conditions.
1. Beagle
Beagles are small dogs that were originally bred for hunting. While they can suffer from eye and hip problems, these conditions usually don’t cause problems until later in life. They have an average lifespan of 12-15 years.
Beagle x Chihuahua (Cheagle)
Cheagles are a mix of two generally healthy dog breeds. Both Beagles and Chihuahuas have long lifespans and minimal health issues.
Beagle x Basset Hound (Bagel)
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Bagels might have the cutest mixed dog name. Both breeds are excellent scent detection dogs, so expect this mix to have a prize nose.
Beagle x Pug (Puggle)
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Puggles are a fairly common mixed dog, especially in shelters and rescues. Pugs are prone to health problems related to their short snouts. However, the longer snout of the Beagle can help negate many of these issues.
Beagle x Poodle (Poogle)
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Just like Cheagles, Poogles are mixes of two generally healthy dog breeds. Poogles tend to have the soft fur of a Poodle and the coloration of a Beagle.
2. Australian Cattle Dogs
The Australian Cattle Dog, also called a Heeler, is one of the healthiest dog breeds. They are extremely active and that activity helps to keep their bodies healthy. The Guinness World Record holder for the oldest dog was an Australian Cattle Dog named Bluey who lived to 29 years old.
Australian Cattle Dog x Border Collie (Border Heeler)
Border Heelers are mixes of two of the most energetic herding breeds. You can expect this high energy to be ready to work or play at all times. Thanks to their activity level and medium size, Border Heelers are not at risk for many health conditions.
Australian Cattle Dog x Australian Shepherd (Texas Heeler)
Texas Heelers, which get their name because Australian Shepherds were actually bred in Texas, are also high-energy herding dogs. This mix looks more like an Australian Shepherd but usually has the thick hair of the Australian Cattle Dog.
Australian Cattle Dog x Boston Terrier (Boston Cattle Dog)
This unexpected combination is a mix of two breeds known for their great personalities. Even though Boston Terriers are not working dogs, they can easily match the energy of an Australian Cattle Dog. By mixing with a longer-snouted breed, the brachycephalic issues of the Boston Terrier are minimized.
3. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are both the smallest dog breed and one of the healthiest dog breeds. This breed has a lifespan of 15-20 years old. Their small size means they are not prone to the musculoskeletal issues that plague larger dogs.
Chihuahua x Poodle (Chi-poo)
Chihuahuas and Poodles are two of the healthiest dogs as purebreds and mixes. By combining them together in a Chi-poo, you get an adorable companion that is expected to live a long and healthy life.
Chihuahua x Jack Russell (Jack Chi)
Jack Russells are known for their endless energy and Jack Chis usually inherit that energy. It is a good thing though because a moving body is a healthy body.
Chihuahua x Havanese (Cheenese)
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Mixing together two small and generally healthy dog breeds will give you a Cheenese. This mix is small, adorable, and perfect for warm-weather locations.
4. Poodle
Despite their reputation as “prissy” dogs, Poodles are quite athletic. They also come in a range of sizes from teacup to standard. Therefore, you can choose the right size to mix with any other dog breed. Poodle breeders take great pride in their animals and have been able to use testing to decrease hereditary conditions in the population.
Poodle x Cocker Spaniel (Cockapoo)
Cockapoos are one of the oldest mixed breed dogs. Many Cockapoo owners don’t even realize they own a mixed breed dog because they are so common. Since Poodles don’t suffer from many health issues, they can help minimize the risk of skin and ear problems that plague Cocker Spaniels.
Poodle x Schnauzer (Schnoodle)
The combination of Poodle and Schnauzer turns into an intelligent and playful mixed breed. Thanks to the Poodle addition, schnoodles do not shed excessively and are considered generally healthy.
Poodle x Australian Shepherd (Aussiedoodle)
Like many “doodle” mixes, Aussiedoodles are attractive dogs that usually have textured coats with Australian Shepherd colorations. Both Poodles and Australian Shepherds are known as healthy breeds, so Aussiedoodles are also considered healthy.
5. Havanese
Havanese are not as recognizable as some other breeds. These dogs hail from Cuba and do great in warm weather environments. They have a lifespan of 14-16 years and have almost no health concerns. The only hereditary health condition that Havanese are prone to is deafness.
Havanese x Pomeranian (Ewokian)
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With a name like Ewokian, you know this is an adorable mixed dog. These mixes tend to look like extra fluffy Havanese dogs thanks to the Pomeranian parent. Due to their small size, they don’t need a ton of exercise to stay healthy, but they do need regular grooming.
Havanese x Poodle (Hava-poo)
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Just like all other Poodle mixes, Hava-poo are lucky to inherit the healthy bloodline of the Poodle. Since Havanese are also generally healthy dogs, these mixes are set up for a long life.
Havanese x Jack Russell (Hava-Jack)
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Hava-jacks are high-energy dogs, thanks to the overeager nature of Jack Russells. Jack Russels are known for being intelligent (albeit stubborn), so Hava-jacks have healthy bodies and smart brains.
6. Husky
Historically, Huskies have been known to have some health problems. Thanks to sustainable breeding and genetic testing, breeders have been able to decrease the prevalence of eye and hip issues in Huskies. Known for pulling sleds, these dogs are athletic and intelligent, a combination that also makes them great parents for mixed breeds.
Husky x Pitbull (Pitsky)
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Pitskies are becoming more popular because of their good looks. These dogs usually inhibit the short hair of the Pitbull and the coloration and/or light eyes of the Husky. While Pitbulls are prone to skin issues, the Husky DNA usually offsets those issues in a mixed breed dog.
Husky x Australian Shepherd (Aussie Siberian)
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Combining two generally healthy breeds leads to a generally healthy mixed breed, like the Aussie Siberian. Be prepared for lots of play and running around. These dogs are high-energy and will need to stay active to stay healthy.
Husky x Poodle (Siberpoo)
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Siberpoos are extremely intelligent thanks to their intelligent parents. The looser fur of the Poodle allows Siberpoos to be more comfortable in warmer temperatures. This mix is loyal and loves being around family.
7. Basenji
Basenjis are a lesser-known dog breed and are sometimes called a “cult favorite”. These dogs have no major health concerns because responsible breeders use genetic testing to only plan healthy breedings. Unlike most dogs, Basenjis will groom their fur like a cat and they tend to “yodel” instead of bark.
Basenji x Chihuahua (Chisenji)
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Chisenjis can inherit small size and healthy traits from their parents. This mix typically looks like a smaller version of a Basenji with the same smooth coat.
Basenji x Australian Cattle Dog (Basenji Heeler)
Basenji Heelers are medium-sized dogs that carry the good looks of both the Basenji and the Australian Cattle Dog. This mix is high-energy and will do well with lots of exercise time to stay healthy.
Basenji x Poodle (Basenjipoo)
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By crossing a Basenji and Poodle, you end up with a dog that looks like a long-haired Basenji. These Basenjipoos often carry the Poodle parent’s coloration. This mixed breed comes from two generally healthy purebred dogs.
8. Border Collie
Border Collies are active herding dogs that enjoy working or playing. Thanks to their active nature, they are not prone to obesity or many issues that less-active dogs can face. When Border Collies are mixed with other breeds, they tend to pass on their working nature, creating an active mixed breed.
Border Collie x Poodle (Bordoodle)
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Another Poodle mix, the Bordoodle gets the pleasure of being a mix of two healthy dog breeds. This combination breeds dogs that are intelligent and active. Bordoodles typically have Poodle-like fur texture with Border Collie coloration.
Border Collie x Great Pyrenees (Border Pyrenees)
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By combining a herding dog and a livestock guard dog, you create the perfect mixed breed for a farm. Border Pyrenees are large dogs that have great temperaments. As long as they stay active and eat a healthy diet, this mix can usually stave off the musculoskeletal issues that affect large dogs like Great Pyrenees.
Border Collie x Cocker Spaniel (Collie Cocker)
Collie Cockers are very attractive dogs. They have the athletic build of the Border Collie and the curly-haired ears of the Cocker Spaniel. These mixes still have a lot of energy and will need exercise to stay healthy.
9. Australian Shepherd
Believe it or not, the Australian Shepherd breed was actually developed in the 1800s in the United States (primarily Texas). This misnamed dog is a herding animal that functions well on a farm or with an active family. Like other working dogs, their active nature is part of what keeps them so healthy.
Australian Shepherd x Border Collie (Border Aussie)
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Border Collies and Australian Shepherds are so similar that many people get them confused. Mixing the two working breeds together will create dogs that don’t look too different from the parent breeds. Even if Border Aussies don’t look that special, they will inherit the active nature of their parents.
Australian Shepherd x Pomeranians (Aussie Pom)
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Aussie Poms usually look like fluffy, miniature-sized Australian Shepherds. Since they are smaller than Australian Shepherds, these mixes are less-prone to joint problems. This mix sheds a lot, so owners need to be ready to brush their fur twice a day.
Australian Shepherd x Labrador (Aussiedor)
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Labradors are one of the most popular dog breeds for families because of their laid-back and loyal personalities. By mixing one with a high-energy Australian Shepherd, you get an Aussiedor that brings the best of both parents. Even though Labradors are prone to joint and bone conditions, the Australian Shepherd DNA can help minimize the chances of the Aussiedor being affected.
10. Greyhound
Greyhounds are considered one of the healthiest large dog breeds. Since there is a lot of money in dog racing, research and careful breeding have taken place to help Greyhounds be such a healthy breed. They are still large dogs that can be prone to hip and joint problems, so mixing them with another breed can be helpful.
Greyhound x Pitbull (Greybull Pit)
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Greybull Pits are all-around athletic. They are fast, driven, and strong. Greyhounds and Pitbulls are prone to different hereditary conditions, so the mixed breeding offsets the issues. Since both of these breeds have high prey drives, owners of Greybull Pits will need to do a lot of training with young dogs.
Greyhound x Husky (Grusky)
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Gruskies have unique looks that combine the body shapes of both the Greyhound and the Husky. Genetic testing can be done on both parent breeds to prevent hereditary conditions from being passed onto the mixed offspring.
Greyhound x Poodle (Greyoodle)
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Pootalians (Poodle and Italian Greyhound mixes) are commonly seen, but standard Greyhounds and Poodles can also be mixed. The resulting Greyoodles have the tall frame of the Greyhound with the textured fur of the Poodle. Both parent breeds have long histories and many health problems have been bred out over the years.
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