What breed is my dog?

Question

He was adopted at 8 weeks with no information about his line. He is incredibly smart - sit, stay, come, ride, treats, shake, etc. He is very territorial and aggressive toward other animals, bigger or smaller. He has a black tongue and a bushy, curly, tail. His ears were floppy until he was about 1 year old, and now they stand straight up with no clipping done. He is about 80lbs, all muscle. He stands tall at the shoulders, but I don't have an exact measurement. Here are a couple pics:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/mrtommytcd/100_0846.jpg

and

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/mrtommytcd/1249799407_l.jpg

Follow-up... he is about 3 and a half years old now. I have asked several vets and have gotten different responses. My thought is that he is German Shepherd, Rott, and Akita.

Here are a few extra pictures that I found...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/mrtommytcd/IMG_1031.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/mrtommytcd/IMG_1029.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/mrtommytcd/IMG_1027.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/mrtommytcd/IMG_1026.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v715/mrtommytcd/IMG_1025.jpg

Answer 1

I'm a vet tech, and I'm pretty good at this. . . . I would guess he is definitely a chow chow (black tongue, bushy tail), mixed with a herding breed - he looks more like a heeler (Australian Cattle Dog), but his size would indicate a German Shepherd. So. . .. either Chow/Heeler or Chow/Shepherd.

His breeding explains his propensity for aggression. Heelers and Shepherds can be very aggressive toward other dogs - they want to be boss. Chows are also domineering dogs, and can be aggressive toward dogs and humans, if not trained. All of these breeds are smart.

I would say that you have a great dog! He is bound to be smart and very trainable. He could really do well learning obedience and tricks. But he could also be quite a handful, because he comes from strong-minded breeds. He will need guidance and obedience training, and consistent handling, and you will have a really nice dog.

Answer 2

In my expertise, the canine breeds which can be the least likely to develop human aggression problems are the Pug, Beagle, English Bulldog, and Boston Terrier. I haven't quite seen an illustration of any of these breeds that i'd say had a serious aggression dilemma, although i have met quite a lot of frightened Beagles. Good-bred Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Pit Bulls, and Greyhounds could be right up there as good. Then again are the breeds which are certainly to be aggressive. I have on no account had a exceptional expertise with a Yorkie. Correctly, of the 50 or so Yorkies that i've encountered, i might say all 50 had some sort of aggression obstacle. Chow Chows, Akitas, and Chihuahuas are correct up there as good. But, i'd say that the most aggressive canine breeds are the various breeds of Terrier from Scotland, the Scottish Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, and Skye Terrier. Scotties and Westies in particular are very bitey puppies.

Answer 3

With that black tongue and curled tail he definitely has some Chow in him. I would think from the colors and the length of his nose and the way his ears stand up he has German shepherd in him as well. His nose is too long to have much Rottie in him if any and he definitely didn't get the Chow's wrinkly nose. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I would guess Chow/Shepherd mix or Chow/Rott mix. The black tongue, tail, and coat suggest a chow, the coloring and "bully" attitude suggest a Rottie, and the ears suggest a shepherd. And before a Rottie owner says that I'm wrong about Rotts being bullies, I love the breed, I am just generalizing :) They are what they were bred to be, protectors, and they're good at it :)

Answer 5

A German Shepherd Rottwiler mix. Probably eith some ChowChow or a Sharpie.

Answer 6

When you schedule an appointment with the vet and they ask what kind of dog, your reply will be "mutt". They're the best!

I can see Shepherd, rott, shar-pei, dobbie...a little of this here, a little of that there...nothing stands out and screams one breed - by far, this is a mixed breed!! Have fun with him. The best part about mongrels? They generally don't exhibit the standard genetic traits of pure bred dogs. They tend to be healthier!

BTW - any dog with black can have a black tongue. It is not just a chow or lab trait. Also, Rotts are great family dogs, not bullies. Ahh - just re-looked, I do see a lot of Australian Cattle Dog - good call doggie_poopie!!

Answer 7

WOW...intimidating looking dog...hes very impressive...I think hes chow and doberman or rottwieller. Hes still young so might not broaden out till more like 2. I have a chow mix as well. Shes a good girl. Good luck w/him. I think hes very handsome. I also agree that part could be shepherd but definitely chow w/the black tongue and curly bushy tail.

Answer 8

I would say he has a lot of rottweiler in him but also some chow due to the black tongue. But he seems to have gotton lucky and gotton the good from each just be happy and enjoy him

Answer 9

He looks like a mix of Rottweiler, Akita and German Shepard.

Whatever he is I wouldn't want to get on his bad side.

Answer 10

Ok the first picture looks like Dobie/Rott and Chow. However, after looking at the 2nd pic I would say he 100% has Autralian Cattle Dog in there. So I would say Cattle dog/Rott/Dob/Chow mix.
The cattle dog is brillant, loyal, territorial (will eat anything that won't eat it first!)
The mix is the probable cause of the aggresstion. All the above mentioned dogs are very DOMINATE!