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we got our puppy from the local animal shelter. they were labled as "aussy shep / mix"

is there any way to figure out the "mix" part? she looks just like an aussy shep - black, naturally docked tail, merle spots on one leg. the only thing we can think of is MAYBE part border collie, just cause she has a longer snout (but she's only 5 months so she's still growing)

any ideas?

i'm trying to upload some pics to my website, but for now, know of any way to find out?

2006-11-21 07:40:05 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets Dogs

9 answers

Sometimes a guess is as good as it gets and Vets don't always guess right either. I used to have to "guess" at dog breed mixes at a Shelter where I worked years ago. I could have been wrong on all counts but usually dogs will have certain characteristics of a breed that are hard to miss. I looked at a book one time with photos of dogs that were mixed where it was known what breeds both parents were and sometimes it was surprising to me. I would have missed it.
Here's a site with some good info on mixed breed dogs:
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/mixed.html
What you may want to do is post the picture here and ask people, go to your Vet's office and ask people, go to the dog park and ask people and go to Pet Stores and ask people. Then see what answers you get the most.
I have three mixes that I had to guess at both parents for two of them and one parent for one of them. Sometimes one of them that I thought of as Aussie and Irish Setter mix, primarily, also looks like she might have some greyhound in her, especially when bathed and by the shape of her chest area. But I just have to guess!

2006-11-21 07:56:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

There is no way to tell for 100% all though some ppl may get you close by looks and behavior. I'm pretty familiar with border collies they come in both the long and short snout, so you can't use that for sure. Normally in mixes you can tell by that black and white coloring either way you got a herder and your work cut out for you there alot of fun though. One of the dogs I have now I got from the pound was listed as a "hound mix". I don't see it in anyway shape or form, I just tell ppl he's Heinz 57.

2006-11-21 15:47:50 · answer #2 · answered by Elle 4 · 0 0

Shelters have to deal with the problem of properly labeling "mixed" breeds all the time. It's usually "best guess" based on factors such as the dog's overall body type, the shape of the ears, the type of coat, the set of the eyes, and the shape of the muzzle / mouth. At our shelter we have a large binder with photos of different breeds and mixes to assist us.

2006-11-21 15:50:11 · answer #3 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 0 0

With my mutts, I find that my most valued opinions as to what they are actually come from my groomer. Think about it, it makes sense to me.

Edit:
I have also found that the shelter near my home tends to label just about EVERYTHING a "shep mix".

2006-11-21 15:45:43 · answer #4 · answered by KJ 5 · 0 0

Its all just a guess. Sometimes you can't tell until growth has completed. It'll be the 'mix' part that makes her special.

2006-11-21 15:46:13 · answer #5 · answered by dvm78 3 · 0 0

I believe my friend once told me that you can have their DNA tested to be 100% sure, however, it is incredibly expensive!! I would just make your best guess and stick with that!!

Congrats on the new pup!!

2006-11-21 15:56:32 · answer #6 · answered by Sandy 3 · 0 0

not that i know of but when you find out let me know cause i want to know what kind of dog i have, we found him in our back yard when he was about 2 months old in the middle of january how could you tell him you cant keep

2006-11-21 16:14:57 · answer #7 · answered by Julie 4 · 0 0

DNA testing...that's the only way.

Congrats on your new Aussie!

2006-11-21 15:46:46 · answer #8 · answered by Shalvia 5 · 0 1

Its hard to tell, talk to your vet or bring it to the pet store, they might know.

2006-11-21 15:47:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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