Why Calling a Dog a “Mix” Might Be Killing Its Adoption Chances
Scroll through almost any shelter website and you will see a familiar pattern. A photo, a breed label based on a best guess, and a short description meant to spark a connection. For veterinary professionals, this format feels routine. New research suggests it may also be working against the very goal it is meant to support. Most dogs in US animal shelters are mixed breed, yet visual breed identification remains common despite strong evidence showing it is frequently inaccurate. In response, some shelters have begun emphasizing personality descriptions instead of breed labels. Until recently, however, there has been limited data examining how these elements shape adopter perception when viewed together. This study set out to examine whether breed labels and personality descriptions influence how likely someone is to adopt a shelter dog.
What the Study Looked At
Participants were recruited both online and in person at a shelter. Each participant viewed ten photographs of shelter dogs and rated their likelihood of adoption. The same photos appeared under different conditions that included a photo alone, a photo with a breed label, a photo with a personality description, or a photo with both. This design allowed researchers to isolate the effects of language while holding appearance constant.
The findings were clear and consistent. Personality descriptions significantly increased perceived adoptability, while breed labels reduced it overall. This effect occurred even though the dogs themselves did not change. Certain commonly used mix labels were associated with lower adoption interest, while the label Lab mix showed a positive effect. These results align with long standing concerns about breed related stigma and the assumptions adopters bring with them.
Descriptions that conveyed friendliness, calmness, sociability, and emotional connection reliably improved adoption ratings. In contrast, the word energetic reduced perceived adoptability, suggesting that adopters may interpret high energy as a potential mismatch or challenge rather than a positive trait. Notably, there were no significant interactions between breed labels and descriptions. A strong description did not cancel out the negative impact of an unfavorable breed label. The study also found wide variability among participants in how they rated the same dogs. This reinforces the reality that shelters are reaching a diverse audience with different expectations, experiences, and risk tolerance. From a welfare perspective, this variability makes it even more important to avoid language that may prematurely deter potential adopters.
Practical Implications for Shelter and Veterinary Teams
For veterinary professionals involved in shelter medicine and adoption strategy, the implications are straightforward. Removing breed labels and replacing them with thoughtful, positive personality descriptions may increase adoption interest without requiring additional resources. Reduced length of stay has downstream benefits for stress reduction, disease control, and overall animal welfare. This research highlights the power of language in shaping adoption outcomes. When breed labels introduce bias and personality descriptions build connection, the choice becomes clear. By focusing on who a dog is rather than what breed they might be, shelters can help more dogs find homes faster and improve welfare along the way.
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