See all 2 photos
Your Mutt's Family Tree
Stray and shelter dogs can be the most loyal and loving of companions, but sometimes their genealogy is a real head-scratcher. Knowing what breeds are present in your dog is useful not only from a health standpoint, but also to understand your friend's temperament, exercise needs, and most effective training methods. There are many ways to assess the genetic makeup of a mutt; below are some key identifiers, along with breed suggestions for various traits.
Size and Body Type
One of the easiest ways to narrow down a dog's breed is through size. Is your dog tiny enough to ride around in your purse? Too big to fit in your car? Narrowing down what size bracket your dog's parents were in can go a long way toward identifying them. Typically, though not always, female pups tend toward the size of the mother, while males tend toward the father. In general, a mixed breed dog will fall somewhere in between its parents' weights. If your dog weighs 100 lbs, there are only a few breeds big enough to give him such substance.
Of course, some dogs are right in the middle of the road. A fifty pound dog could be a mix of nearly anything. Luckily for you, there are plenty of other ways to analyze his breeding. Another method is through body shape. Is your dog lean and leggy, or short and chunky? An athletic dog of moderate weight (40-100 lbs) points to a hunting, working, or herding mix. Common breeds by body type include:
Stocky Build:
- Labrador Retrievers
- Bloodhounds
- Rottweilers
- Australian Cattle Dogs
- American Pit Bull terriers
- Most Toy breeds
Lean Build:
- German Shorthaired Pointers
- Fox Hounds
- Doberman Pinschers
- Border Collies
- Whippets
- Greyhounds
Ears
Are your dogs ear pricked or floppy? If they stand erect, there's a good chance your dog contains some German Shepherd Dog, Husky, Australian Cattle Dog, or maybe even Chihuahua. Floppy ears are harder to peg down, unless they are long like a hound's. However, there are many different 'sets' to dog ears, and it is something to keep in mind as you examine possible genetic contributors to your mutt.
Fur
Another indication of your dog's ancestry is his fur. First, look at the length and type of coat your dog has. Does your dog's coat come in two layers- a soft, fluffy layer underneath longer, coarser hairs? This is called a double coat. If your dog has only one layer, he is single-coated. Some examples of single-coated and double-coated breeds:
Double-Coated:
- Most working breeds
- Most herding breeds
- Many sporting breeds
Single-Coated:
- Poodles
- American Pit Bull Terriers
- Boxers
- Many Terriers
Also consider the length and substance of the coat. Short and smooth, or long and wiry? Some combination of the two? A wire coat is unique and a sign of terrier blood. Soft-coated breeds can be a bit harder to pin down.
Long-Coated Breeds:
- Siberian Huskies and Malamutes
- Golden Retrievers
- Setters
- Many Toy breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, and Papillons
- Herding Breeds such as Border Collies and Australian Shepherds
Short-Coated Breeds:
- American Pit Bull Terriers
- Boxers
- Pugs
- Chihuahuas
- Labrador Retrievers
- Most Hounds
- Australian Cattle Dogs
- Rottweiler
See all 2 photos A tricolor mix with brindle points
Color
And finally, examine the color of your dog. Some dogs are solid, others are flashy colors such as merle or brindle. Some have spotting on their white patches known as 'ticking.' Some markings, like tan points, require both parents to carry the gene for the marking to manifest. Below are some common coat colors and the most well-known dog breeds that sport them.
Tricolor (black, white, and tan):
- Corgis
- Australian Shepherds
- Border Collies
- Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs
Solid Color:
- Labrador Retriever
- Golden Retriever
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Dachshund
- Chihuahua
- Maltese
- Pomeranian
Fawn:
- Boxers
- American Pit Bull Terriers
- Great Danes
- Mastiffs
- Pugs
Black and Tan:
- Rottweilers
- Doberman Pinschers
- Miniature Pinschers
- Black and Tan Coonhounds
- German Shepherd Dogs
Brindle:
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Boxer
- Plott Hound
- Great Danes
Merle:
- Australian Shepherds
- Catahoula Leopard Dogs
- Shetland Sheepdogs
- Collies
- Dachshunds
- Pomeranians
- Chihuahuas
Personality
At last, consider your dog's personality. Is he active, or a couch potato? Intelligent or a bit of a dunce? Does your dog exhibit herding behaviors such as nipping at your heels? By now, looking at your dog's physical appearance, you should have a narrowed down list of possible breeds. It's important to remember that every individual dog is different, but as you research the parent breeds, you may find something that fits your dog's temperament to a T.
DNA Tests?
There are several companies that offer breed evaluations through DNA testing. If you are curious enough to shell out some cash, be aware that these tests are not always perfect. They work by analyzing DNA for genetic markers common to a 'family' of dogs. So, while you may not get quite the right breed (Golden Retriever vs Labrador, for instance) it can still point you in the direction of your dog's ancestry. I have heard from several people who took the test that, if your dog does not seem to match the suggested breeds, Wisdom Panel will provide a refund. Still, it's buyer beware.Sometimes, a mixed breed dog is simply too jumbled up for even DNA to offer clues. In that case, I would simply recommend enjoying your unique and special pup for what he is: one of a kind!
Conclusion
There's no way to possibly cover every combination of dog traits, or list every dog breed, but hopefully after reading this article, you will be better able to understand your canine friend. Remember, mutts can take after either parent, both, or, strangely, neither. What's most important is that your dog is well-mannered, happy and healthy!
MixedBreedDog.Info
www.mixedbreeddog.infoAn online resource dedicated to mixed breed dogs. If you can read this message, your browser does not support the use of frames.
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