Is the word "mutt" turning into a derogatory term for mixed or cross breed dogs?

I think it is, but it should not be. I don't understand why some owners feel it is derogatory to call a mutt a mutt. I call all my dogs mutts at times. As long as I pay attention to them, they don't care what I call them. I have had many beloved mutts, as well as many beloved purebreds. I will keep a dog that needs a home that fits my family regardless of mix or breed. I suppose the whole designer crap began with designer bluejeans in the 80's and snowballed from there. I suppose owning a mutt is rated as uncool as owning a pair of sneakers, instead of a pair of Reeboks, or Nikes. I never much cared what name was on my shoes as long as they fit and are comfortable, and the same with my dogs.

Blarp- Calling a dog a 'Labradoodle' is insulting. why not just say Lab/Poodle Mix? it's only three characters longer than that derogatory cutesy term. If any person ever told me my Lab/Collie mix was a Labrollie or something equally stupid, they would be swiftly informed of just how stupid they truly are, same as people who tell me all about their brand new Puggadoo or their rare breed Pommirottiwow. They don't own a special designer breed. They own an unspecial, common as muck mutt. And I, as well as every well educated dog owner and lover should, will continue to tell them that.

My dogs go by the terms Bitser, Mutt, Mongrel, Mixer, crosses.... Anything like that. I find people telling me that they own a Chiweeniedoodlepoo insulting to my intelligence, and insulting to dogs.

Don't get me wrong. I frigging love my mutts. I love all mutts. I hate designer dogs. I will not take something called a Shihtpoo or a labradoodle seriously. It is a joke, and a bad one at that.

I don't think it is derogatory, but I have stopped using it when answering those very questions. People get so offended by it. I think it also has to do with the tone of the other answers. Some people are insulting with their answers like "it is a mutt, you are stupid..." (not exactly in those words but you know the types of answers). The whole answer is insulting so it makes it sound like the word mutt is also insulting.

I already "play safe" and call it a mixed breed.

People get offended when you can a female dog a ***** which IS the proper term

My first dog was a mutt. I refer to myself as a mutt and I call my son a mutt and it is all done with love. Something is only derogatory if you let it be.

In most cases they spent well over 500 for said Mutt and hearing their expensive purchase be called nothing more than a mutt hits them where it hurts; their pride.

Nothing wrong with mutts/mongrels/mixed breed dogs.

When I meet a mongrel that objects to the term, I'll stop using it.

I own a purebred dog, so none of the comments are ever directed at me, but I have noticed some hostility toward people describing their mixed breed dogs. Hostility that just doesn't occur when people describe their purebreds.

Even where people aren't deliberately being hostile, the dog is described as "JUST" a mutt, as if their dog is somehow less worthy for the function it's been bought for (ie pet) than a purebred dog.

Whilst I don't particularly like the cutesy names attached to the various "designer breeds" - I can sometimes see the point of them. Like blarp says, for example when describing the size of the dog - a "labradoodle" is going to have different feeding requirements to a "pom-chi".

As for why they use those words, well, it's easier and quicker to say "pom-chi" than it is to say "pomeranian crossed with a chihuahua". Easier/quicker to say verbally as well as to type.

If the dog is a mix of two longer named breeds, even more so. If you're describing a "Cavalier king Charles Spaniel crossed with a West Highland White Terrier", would you not want to shorten that, say, to "Cavawestie"?

Can you honestly say you'd have no idea what they meant if somebody described their dog as a pom-chi? Personally, I still don't like those cutesy names (imo they sound ridiculous) and would prefer to use the longhand version myself, but depending upon the context, I'd say it's really not that important.

I personally don't consider the terms "mutt" or "mongrel" offensive, but there are people on here who appear to use those terms in a derogatory manner.

I don't think that 'mutt' is derogatory. I have a mutt myself from the shelter.

I think the people who buy these Designer Dogs get offended because they want to believe that they paid a lot of money with good cause, when of course they just have an expensive mutt. They get upset because they feel as though they've been hoodwinked.

The Designer Breed breeders get upset because they can't keep ripping people off with expensive mutts if potential buyers realize they are buying expensive mutts.

When I think of or use the term "mutt" for a dog I don't perceive it as derogatory in any way. I know some people get very offended if you call their dog a mutt. I don't really get it. I mostly just use the term "Mixed Breed" now. In the Agility world we refer to the mixes as "All-American". I really like that. Not derogatory in any way. I guess in today's world, even with dogs we have to worry about being "politically correct".

PS: We use "All Canadian" for the Canadian dogs, etc. etc. etc.

If enough people commonly use the word as an insult, it gradually develops a dual meaning. Mutt is just an expedient word to use to differentiate between purebred & cross bred dogs {mutts}.

People can be a little be defensive if they purchased a *breed* such as the *English Goldendoodle*, which was marked to the gullible with a fancy name & inflated price tag & then are informed they have an expensive mutt. Still if you put your hand in your wallet before researching the dog you are going to buy.......

People can also feel defensive because they imagine people who own purebreds think a mutt is not on a par with their dogs in terms of its value to the owner. Based on the people I know, that is not the case.

I always thought "mutt" meant a mixed breed dog...Hm. Learn something new everyday :D

I don't understand why people get offended by the word mutt, I have a poodle/beagle mix and when people ask me what he is it's usually "oh, he's just a little mutt.." I don't think of it as a bad thing. I don't say oh he's a Beaglepoo because that just means he's a mutt :D

They get offended because they have probably been convinced by some byb that their mutt is in reality a new, wonderful, specially bred for them, designer breed.

Nothing at all wrong with mix breed mutts, certainly not the dog's fault somebody was either greedy or irresponsible.

Reality sucks - especially when you've paid a lot of money for your mutt.

I've had people argue with me that their "cockapoo" or "maltipoo" is a fancy, very real breed, I just don't "understand" that because all breeds started out as cross breeds. That's the drivel they've been fed by the scuzzy breeder or puppy miller they bought their high price mutt from, and that's what they're going to believe - instant new breeds, the AKC is just being picky and so am I.