Mutt Dog

Mars Petcare

Genetics

5 things data can tell us about mutts

Little or large, shaggy or smooth, ears pricked or floppy, today we’re celebrating our love of mixed breed dogs on National Mutt Day.

Little or large, shaggy or smooth, ears pricked or floppy, today we’re celebrating our love of mixed breed dogs on National Mutt Day. Mutts make great pets, they provide emotional support, help fight loneliness and help keep us more active. It’s undeniable that pets (including our beloved mutts) make the world a better place, and that’s why we work to make the world a better place for them.  

So, on this momentous day, we’ve taken a look at our data to share some fun facts about our four-legged friends!

Did you know, the 5 most popular mutt names are:

  1. Max
  2. Buddy
  3. Bella
  4. Daisy
  5. Lucky

The top 5 US states with the largest percentage of mixed breeds are:

  1. Maine
  2. Vermont
  3. Arkansas
  4. Alabama
  5. Oklahoma

And if you own a mixed breed dog and have another pet, it’s most commonly another mixed breed dog! 7% of mutt parents owning more than one marvelous mutt.

Our data also shows that the popularity of mixed breed dogs has grown by 65% over the last three years (‘15-‘19), which is nothing but good news for our mutt population. It’s well reported that sadly our shelters are overpopulated with mixed breed dogs, with some studies reporting that mixed breed dogs make up over 95% of shelter populations. We’re committed to doing all we can to help mutts, and all other pets in shelters find their forever homes, and in these uncertain times this is a challenge we’re facing head on. Mars Petcare have started a relief fund supporting the great work of Humane Society International, and kick-started a number of initiatives to drive pet adoption during Covid-19. The FOSTER TO FOREVER™ program encourages adoption and supports pet foster parents who permanently adopt, while our Dogs on Zoom initiative allows people to meet and adopt shelter dogs online, using the popular video calling platform, Zoom.

We also looked at the top 5 mixed breed colors:

  1. Black
  2. Brown
  3. White
  4. Tan
  5. Black and white

But what makes your mutt that color? It’s all in their genes. There are several genes that contribute to a mutt’s appearance, and their color comes from cells that produce pigment. Black and red are the basic foundations of color, and white spots occur when a dog doesn’t have enough pigment cells to cover its entire body. The pigment cells start out down the middle of a dog’s back and spread down its body during development, which explains why so many dogs have white on their stomachs, legs and tails, or a blaze down the middle of the face and muzzle – these are the places where the pigment cells did not reach.

Whatever shape or size, it’s no secret how much we love mutts. They’re one-of-a-kind, and you can learn more about what makes your mutt unique with Wisdom Panel. It's simple: Swab. Send. Smile.

 

 
5 Things data can tell us about mutts infographic
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