Friday, 19 April 2024

Pavement special

On one of  yesterday's dog walks I stopped to talk to a South African lady. She has three small children and a small black dog.

She asked me what breed Beano is. I explained that he was a mixed breed but that I wasn't sure what mix.

I told her that I used to refer to him as a mongrel but had been told that was no longer acceptable.

She said that in South Africa such dogs are referred to as Pavement Specials, which made me laugh.

12 comments:

Heather said...

That made me smile as well. I have heard mongrels referred to as a 57 variety too.

Sooze said...

Yes, I've heard that mongrel isn't acceptable now. And like Heather, I've also heard of mixed breed dogs referred to as Heinz 57s.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Heinz 57.

Sue said...

I've never heard of that before, I think I'll stick to 'mixed breed' though.

Fat Dormouse said...


We used to refer to them as a Bitsa dog - bitsa this breed, bitsa that breed!!

Col said...

One of our dogs was always referred to as a pure bred 'tripe-hound'.
Her mother was a greyhound crossed with '?', and her father was a complete mystery. Her mother got out of the garden just once, but obviously met the 'dog of her dreams' and that was that!
All our other dogs have been proper breeds, Manchester Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Bearded Collie, Viszla, and Rhodesian Ridgeback. They were all, without fail, loving and wonderful dogs, but the 'Tripe-hound' had more brains than the rest of them put together! She was an incredibly clever dog, who lived to be 18 years old, obviously all of her grandparents had great genes!
I like the name 'pavement special', although I prefer 'tripe-hound'! X

Donna said...

My parents' generation used to say mongrel. It's not a "bad" word. It just means it's not a recognized breed. I don't worry about it not being PC. I just say, mixed breed if I don't know the pedigree. If I hear someone say mongrel, at least I know it's meaning. Just because a word "sounds" bad, doesn't mean it is.
I just love them all...lol
hugs
Dona

Anonymous said...

In Grenada they are known as Pothounds, as everything in the pot. We had one and they are wonderful dogs. We also call them Bitsas too, bits of this bits of that. Gigi

Anonymous said...

I understand that calling a person a mongrel (or anything else of a derogatory nature) is not acceptable, but why on earth can't a dog be given its usual descriptive name? If it's a mongrel then say so. Too much political correctness is ruining this country (among thousands of other things!) No doubt he and every other little mongrel dog is loved no matter what breed they're called. Elaine x

flis said...

I'm never too sure what mine are - and when asked what breed by other dog walkers and I answer with what the dogs home said - they suggest different x

Anonymous said...

Lee said...
That's the first time I have ever heard anyone else use the term "tripe-hound" My dad always refers to mixed breed dogs as tripe-hounds. I just used to think it was just one of dad's made up words as he loves to use odd words. I have since found out that it is an Australian or New Zealand word for mixed breed dogs, ...who knew that.

Col said...

My Dad, who I know was using the term 'Tripe- Hound' in the late nineteen fifties, has no connection to Australia or New Zealand, and I don't think he know any Aussies or Kiwis either.
Our family surname is Scandinavian, and we all have Norse colouring and build, so maybe it's an old Norse word that the Vikings took with them on their travels!

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