Definition of Mixed and Cross breed pets - opinions please!

[catfancier]

(From Dog General - I'm sure that this can apply to cats also):

I am just doing some research into the definition of a Mixed breed pet and a Cross breed pet. Would you describe a CROSS breed as a pet that comes from two parents of known and/or identified BREED, therefore it is a CROSS of two identifiable parents? If so, would you then describe a MIXED breed as a MIX of unknown and/or unidentifiable heritage? Or would you say that it should be the opposite way around - a cross is unknown heritage and a mix is known heritage? I have posted this in a different MB and have had interesting answers, but just wanted to see what the general population here think.

Now I'm going to throw another spanner in the works here and add a term that I have thought up: a BLEND breed. How I'm thinking the best way to describe it is as follows:
Cross breed: cross of two purebreds.
Mixed breed: mix of parents of unknown heritage.
Blend breed: blend of more than two breeds of known parentage.

Thanks in advance, I look forward to some interesting opinions :)

[smokey the elder]

I would think cross or blends are from known stock. Mixed is from unknown stock.

[StarandBratsmom]

Crossing breeding is breeding two different breeds, such as Pixie Bobs. Bengals, and Bob cat. Mixed breed is different breeds, often unknown breeds, or more than one breed.

[catmandu]

THAT SOUNDS ROGHT TO ME, AS I HAVE THREE CATS WHO ARE PURE BED MIQUELITO THE LITTLE ORANGE LION, JOHAN HANCOCO THE HANDSOME, AND POUNCIERGE THE PRETTY WHO ARE ORIENTAL SHORTHAIR.
AND JOHN HANCOCKA A HANDSOME BALINESE.
THE REST ARE MIXED BREEDS , AS I THINK PRINCESS WHOS A TABBY HAS A SHORT TAILE INGREDIENT AS SHE HAS A STUBBY TAIL FOR A TABBY!
ALL IN ALL A CATS A CAT, AND ARE MADE FOR BEING LOVED!!!:love::love:

[catfancier]

Star and Brat's Mom - what on earth is a Pixie Bob?!!

Here's another element to think about: Does it make a difference if the parents are purebreds or unknown? If you know what both parents are, what do you call the offspring - Cross? If you don't know what the parents are, is this a mix?

And... if you know that one parent is a purebred of some type, but either don't know the other parent or don't know what breeds are in the other parent, what would you describe the offspring as?

Is it easier to describe a pet based on their overall look (or phenotype for those scientifically minded), or based on their genetic history (genotype)? Which would you think was more important?

Lastly, some more terms that are commonly used - what are your definitions for these?:

Moggy
Mutt
Mongrel
Bitzer