Both of our stray mutts looked to be a cross between two purebreds: a Greyhound/Dalmatian (incredibly hyper, shed like a year-round blizzard, and very clingy-timid-needy which probably had more to do with his experiences before we found him than with his temperament); and a Lab/Aussie (scary smart, very opinionated, playful and affectionate without being overbearing, really the closest to a "normal" dog of any of our four).

Not encouraging anyone to breed EITHER of these on purpose. Man, you don't even need to go to a shelter. Just walk down the street, pick up a friendly stray who's obviously been on the street for a while, post a couple of posters or want ads "just to be sure," and keep the dog when no one answers them.

The one "Heinz 57" we had, had none of the vaunted hybrid vigor. Allergic to everything, aged younger than any of them, arthritis in multiple joints, and eventually died from an autoimmune blood disorder