The mongrel is, without a doubt, one of the most loved and cherished dogs by Brazilians. Officially known as an undefined breed dog (SRD), these pets derive from the cross between two or more breeds, which makes each animal unique. Most of these dogs live on the streets and look for a home to call their own, but fortunately today the mongrel dog is one of the most popular "breeds" in Brazil. EThe mongrel photos don't deny it: these dogs have everything to win a place in anyone's heart.

But what is important to know before adopting a mongrel puppy or adult dog? What characteristics are unique to this puppy and what care is needed for it? We have put together 6 things you need to know before having a mongrel at home. Enough more!

1) Some traumas can be part of a mutt's history, so give your puppy space

Before opening the doors of your home to a puppy or adult mutt, it is important to keep in mind that animals living on the streets do not always have a happy story. Each dog's experience is different: some are abandoned by their own family, others are born and go through various difficulties on the street and there are even mutts who are victims of mistreatment.

When adopting a mongrel puppy you need to understand that it may have past traumas, even if it is still a puppy. The adaptation process may take a while until it gets used to the new family and the new home. Therefore, one of the best ways to learn how to care for a mongrel puppy is to know how to respect the pet's space from the beginning, in addition to offering it a goodThis also applies to older dogs. Love and patience are great allies!

2) A mongrel dog will always be ready to give you love!

Adopting a mongrel dog is an act of love! And you can be sure that these puppies will always reciprocate all the affection they receive in double. After the mongrel dog (baby or adult) adapts to the new home and becomes familiar with the environment, what will not be lacking is love and companionship in the life of the whole family. Dogs without a defined breed are mega affectionate, and after they become familiar with the environment, they will always be happy to help you.The mongrel tends to be more needy than other dogs, especially when he is rescued and adopted as a puppy, so when he starts to feel loved by someone, there is nothing to stop him from showing all the love and gratitude he feels.

3) The mongrel has an inexhaustible source of energy!

If you're planning to get a mongrel dog, you should be aware that these animals are super active. They like to run, jump and play whenever they can. Walking your mongrel dog is the highlight of their day, so it's something that shouldn't be left out. But if one day or another you can't walk with him, it's no problem, because the mongrel always finds a way to spend it.So a good tip is: invest in dog toys. It can be of all kinds: recyclable, interactive or even the famous ball for dogs. All this pleases the mutt and will make him very happy!

Oh, but don't forget to buy toys appropriate for each stage of the puppy's life, huh? The puppy mongrel dog needs more malleable toys, such as bites, or that can serve as a companion, such as plush. As the puppy gets older, other types of toys can be included in this list. Another tip is to learn how to train a mongrel dog,as these dogs are also usually quite intelligent and can learn various tricks, as well as basic obedience commands.

4) Learn how to know the size of a mongrel dog!

When you have a mongrel puppy, a very common question is about the size of the animal. After all, how is it possible to determine this when the dog is not a breed and, therefore, does not have a defined size? Well, the truth is that this is simpler than it seems. Generally, the small mongrel has an accelerated growth in the first weeks of life, reaching practically its adult stature,When it comes to a large-sized mongrel puppy, growth is slower and the dog can grow up to two years old, reaching at least 70 cm in the meantime. However, the vast majority of mongrel puppies are medium-sized and therefore stay in the range of 40 to 60 cm.

5) The mongrel also needs to be up to date with the vaccination schedule

Many people claim that mongrel dogs are healthy and don't get sick, but this is just a myth. Although they are indeed a bit more resilient, it doesn't mean that the dog is immune and free from any disease. Quite the contrary: it is important to take the same care of this little dog as you would with a purebred dog. Take him to the vet regularly to check on his health.know how his health is, give all the vaccinations that are recommended for dogs and do not forget to deworm your friend. In addition, flea and tick remedies are also very welcome!

For the puppy to be even healthier, the dog food for mongrels must also be of a good quality, containing all the important nutrients for their body. A good option of dog food for mongrels is the Premium or Super Premium version, which provides a balanced and complete diet for dogs.

6) After all, how long does a mongrel dog live?

As much as some believe that the expectation of the mongrel is higher than that of pedigree dogs, it is not quite so. In fact, what determines how long a mongrel lives is the quality of life that this animal has. If he is well cared for, has a good diet, exercises frequently and lives in a healthy, happy environment with a lot of love involved, life expectancy will increase.The animal's age can vary from 10 to 16 years, but this is more related to the environment in which it lives than to the fact that it is a mongrel. How to care for these dogs makes all the difference at these times!

BONUS: How to tell if the dog is a mongrel?

A purebred dog that crosses with an animal of the same breed will give rise to another purebred puppy. When we have a dog of a certain breed that crosses with a different breed, it can generate an unusual mixture, such as the Labradoodle (a mixture of Labrador and Poodle), for example. In the case of the mongrel we know, we have no way of knowing exactly which one it is.This is because it is a mixture of several different crosses that gave rise to it. That is why the dog without a defined breed is so unpredictable in all aspects, including appearance, since it is possible to find from a caramel mongrel puppy to a hairy mongrel dog all white.

Originally published on: 02/07/2020

Updated on: 11/08/2021