Definition of Mixed and Cross breed pets - opinions please!

[K9soul]

I've always thought cross-breed was between two separate species or genus of animals, i.e. a liger is a cross between a lion and a tiger, a zonkey is a cross between a zebra and donkey.

A mixed breed to me is a mix between breeds of animals of the same species/class/genus.

I could be confusing cross-breed with hybrid though. I'm sure someone more knowledgable can explain the differences.

[Ginger's Mom]

I thought that mixed breed is what they are called in America and cross breed is what they were called in Great Britain. My first encounter with the term cross breed was in a Great Britain dog magazine, and I do see it used in a forum that I belong to based in Great Britain.

[Suki Wingy]

I use both terms interchangeably, but I see a mix as being anything that is not purebred, and a cross as a specific kind of mixed breed. (having known purebred parents)

[catfancier]

Quite interesting what you've said, thanks for your opinions so far

K9 Soul - (no offence intended just in case you take this the wrong way) I do think that you have confused cross-breed with hybrid. The only reason I say this is because of the use of the word 'breed' in the term cross breed. To me, that indicates that the cross is between two animals of the same species, just different breeds of the same species.

Hybrid I'm fairly certain I've heard used for years as a term for a cross of two different species, as you have described (Liger, Zonkey etc).
I've just done a search on Wikipedia and they use the term Zeedonk for a Zebra/Donkey cross!

[lute]

I think of mixed breeds and cross breeds as the same thing. They are all after all more than one breed MIXED together. Designer dogs are just that too. Mixed breeds. NOTHING special about them.

[Giselle]

I think of mixed breeds and cross breeds as the same thing. They are all after all more than one breed MIXED together. Designer dogs are just that too. Mixed breeds. NOTHING special about them.

I agree. Ivy is exactly Doberman/Lab. She is a MIXED breed. I know many designer dogs. I call them Poodle MIXES, Chihuahua MIXES, etc.

Crossbreeds = Mixed breeds. I've never heard of "blend breeds" and I quite honestly don't ever want to hear it again It'll only perpetuate the notion that mixes somehow poof into actual breeds by man's whim.

[cloverfdx]

Crossbreed to me is a dog/pup with two purebrebred parents of different breeds. Mixed/ mutt, unknown heritage...more than two breeds .