Name: Valjean
Age: 8 months
Mix: Australian Cattle Dog/Red Heeler/Dalmatian.
Hobbies: Eating, sleeping during the hot Darwin days, chasing lizards and annoying other dogs at the beach.
Owners: Lucy Rogue and Joe Sciglitano, Darwin, Australia

Name: Benny
Age: 10
Mix: Pomeranian mix
Hobbies: Barking at her housemate -Coco, eating liver, farting and watching ‘Dog Borstal.’
Owner: Joanne Casey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Name: Maia
Age: 3
Mix: A maremma/miniature Collie mix
Hobbies: Running, managing the household, being cute, getting cuddles and looking like she knows what she’s doing on her sheep-grazing property.
Owners: Tom & Claire Schoeffler, Turton’s Creek, Australia

Higgins was the name of the dog that played “Benji” and he is quite a hero to mutts and children everywhere. I’m not sure how many of you remember Benji, but he was a fantastic dog. His mix was believed to be a miniature poodle, cocker spaniel and schnauzer blend. Even with his small size, he was just as good a hero as Lasie or Rin Tin Tin.

Higgins had a 14-year long career in show business. Aside from playing k-9 hero “Benji”, he also played “Dog” in Petticoat Junction. One of the things that made him such a famous dog actor was the amazing range of facial expressions he could make. His trainer said that he was the smartest dog he had ever worked with. During his prime, he was able to learn one new trick a week. His tricks included walking up a ladder, opening a mailbox and removing a letter, and sneezing on cue.

Benji/Higgins is yet another example of how mutts can be more intelligent and cuter than any purebreed around.

Name: Bo
Age:14 weeks
Mix: Yellow Lab and apricot standard poodle
Hobbies: Playing fetch, getting belly rubs, licking ears, stealing footwear and pushing his Staple’s “Easy Button” over and over when he needs to go out.
Owner: Ben Ruskin, Athens, GA

Name: Coelho
Age: 3 years
Mix: Labrador, Akita and American Staffordshire Terrier
Hobbies: Taking walks, playing with other dogs, wrestling, meeting kids and chasing squirrels.
Owner: Kimber Ryan, Seattle, WA

Name: Kaya
Age: 9 years
Mix: Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix
Hobbies: Multi-tasking, receiving your call and sleeping after a hard day’s work.
Owner: Gary, Sarasota, FL

I know this news is a little old, but it fits the theme of Muttskis pretty well. Present Obama discussed adopting his new puppy from the pound in his first press conference on November 7. In his interview, he said he associates well with mutts, because they’re like him.

Go Obama and go mutts!

Name: Chase
Age: 3 Years
Mix: Wheaton Terrier Mix
Hobbies: Resting in the warm Arizona sun and cuddling
Owner: Mike Binder, Peoria, AZ

Name: Lindy Ruff
Age: 1 year
Mix: boxer/beagle
Hobbies: Camping, chewing on wood, and napping on his humans or kitties.
Owner: Christine Anderson, Royal Oak, MI