What is my mutt?

[Guest Anonymous]

Our most recent family member, Scooby, came to our home about 4 months ago. He is now about 10 months old, and I can't figure out what he is! I know he is part Doberman, because I adopted him from Doberman rescue in St. Louis, but they didn't know what else he was. He has a bright red coat, very muscular & thin, webbed feet, and big brown eyes (just like my Lab's!). Anyway, if anyone could tell me how I can find out what this mutt is composed of, I'd appreciate it.

Pete

[Guest Anonymous]

If you'd like to send a picture, please feel free to email one to me. You can tell a lot just by looking at the bone structure of the body and face.

[Guest Anonymous]

if you wanted a purebred you should have bought one. Since you didn't does it really matter?

[Guest Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: ' if you wanted a purebred you should have bought one. Since you didn't does it really matter?'

I'd like to address this on 3 fronts.
1st, I didn't get the impression that the person asking about their dogs possible mix cares about purebred versus mutt.
2nd, two of my dogs are mixes, I like knowing what they are mixes of just to help me understand their character and their needs. Of course living day to day with them gives insight as well but I'll take every bit of info I can get.
3rd, your reply seemed to be tinged with a bit of mean-spiritedness. What's that about?
My older female, Brittany, is an Aussie/GSP mix. I knew when I adopted her as an 8 month old pup that she was 'most likely' to be high energy, intelligent, and highly trainable. All the above are true, pretty much in that order! As a youngster, she was full of beans and truly needed lots of physical and mental stimulation to keep her from being destructive.
My younger rescue female, Candy, is (best guess) a lab/terrier mix. The terrier influence is very evident in her face when she's excited, which right now is fairly often. She's still a young dog and has enough energy to electrify a small city. She is also very smart, very fast, does quite well in agility. She's quite biddable, this I expect came more from her lab background.
So again, wantng to know 'what's in the mix' can provide information to help you understand your pup, plus it can just be fun watching other people try to guess!
You can see my dogs at: http://carolk9s.homestead.com/INTRO.html

[Guest Anonymous]

what is your problem? because someone is curious as to the possible breeds of their dog you feel the need to flame them? where do you get off? maybe you should think before you reply next time

[Guest Anonymous]

If anyone would like to guess what breed my mixed puppy is I'd be grateful for the comments. Like Carol posted earlier, I'd simply like to know in order to respond appropriately to her needs.

People say she looks like a Rhodesian ridgeback (face, forehead wrinkles and coloring), with a little German shepherd (beauty marks on the face). The vet said she'll be 55-65 pounds when fully grown.

I'd be happy to email a photo to anyone who's willing to give their opinion. Thanks!

[Guest Anonymous]

I have to agree. Who ever wrote that stupid remark about "should have gotten a purebred" has no clue why people have dogs. People love their dogs and because of that they are interested to get to know as much as possible about them. Who ever wrote that remark probably has a purebred because he wants to show off the dog....
I have a mutt that I think is very beautiful. So, I also wanted to know what's in him. I heard lots of guesses. So, I asked some research labs if there is a test out there. NO TEST AT ALL. They told me that it would be too expensive to test for all different possible breeds. They rather spend their money to test for diseases. I very much understand that.

[Guest Anonymous]

My friend spent $900 on a purebred and has tonnes of problems. My mutt gives me none.

[Guest Anonymous]

I have three dogs, two purebreds, and one rescued mutt.The two purebred dogs (great dane and pug) have health problems that are costing me a couple thousand a year, while the mutt(german shepherd/lab) hasn't had a problem since i got her.just goes to show, pure breed doesn't nesacarily make best pet.
((but that goes without saying that I dearly love all three of my pets, health problems or not))

[Guest Anonymous]

Hey would the lady who ask him to send the photo of this dog please look at my posted message also and tell me what mine could be? It's the one where I ask What are my Puppies under valeriebequeen thanks for any help!:)

[Shannon_C]

Hi there.
Anyone who would like to email me there photos of there crossbreeds to look at. Please feel free!

[Guest Anonymous]

Red coat? Maybe Irish Setter? I know I've read about a few breeds with webbed feet but I can't honestly remember which. I think the Newfoundland (sp?) may have been one. Webbed feet are a good indicator of a dog known for swimming ability so I'd look at breeds known for that.

[Guest Anonymous]

I hope the person who posted that mean spirited comment to the person who wanted to know what kind of dog he or she had has thought about the answer they gave. I have 3 dogs and none of them are pure papered. My oldest just turned 16 this March. I have had a Rottie and lab both with papers and long historys behind them...BOTH of them died early with cancer...give me a mutt any day.

[Guest Anonymous]

[quote]
On 2002-04-18 15:56, Shannon_C wrote:
Hi there.
Anyone who would like to email me there photos of there crossbreeds to look at. Please feel free!


I was wondering what your e-mail address is?

[Guest Anonymous]

Perhaps the person who posted the comment that if you wanted a purebreed, you should have gotten one meant well...but I do wish that had take a less sharp way to express it.

Purebreeds today often are heir to numerous gentic health and temperment problems. This is due to poor breeding, inbreeding for type etc.

This does not mean that there are not many fine purebreds....but you have to be careful.

Mixed breeds have the benifit of hybrid vigor.....NOW...as to your question...

Is the hair short?...and the eyes light? Could be a vizila.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to know what has gone into your mixed breed.

I looked through a book and found a breed called a Karelian Bear Dog. The picture and the discription were an almost exact fit to my Sophia....now there is about as much chance of Sophia being a Karelian Bear Dog...as me winning the Publishers Clearing House....but it makes for fun at obedience class.

I think in reality she is a pit and border collie mix.

Would love to see your dogs picture.

[Aroura]

Anyone with a mutt, email a photo to me at nooky4tress@yahoo.com, I should be able to tell you what I think it is (im pretty good with dog breeds) but even if I cant, I still love seeing photos of mutts!!!
Luv Jeanne

[Guest Anonymous]

I would love to have people guess on my beasty's "lineage"- currently we have two adopted dogs- Baron is an all black Shar Pei/Black Lab mix- he was a relinquishment, so his history was more complete. Sadie is my mystery! She definitely has some shar pei, but we've had guesses anywhere from APBT to boxer to viszla for her other "pieces"! She is full grown at 35 pounds, caramel colored, with long legs, a backside a smidge higher than her front quarters and has light eyes & nose. She's tall (26 in.) and skinny (count the ribs!!) but in great health.
It doesn't matter a smidge what she is, I love her in her muttiness, but it is such a curious question and I would love input! When I can figure out how, I'll post a pic, but until then if anyone has a guess, I'm game :D

And while we're on it...I work at an animal hospital, and volunteer at a shelter, and breed mix is the first question we get from newly adoptive "parents" who have had the courage to bring a mixed breed into their home. Knowing it is no guarantee of anything, but it does help people get a grip on potential temperment, and in some cases, potential health problems. And I suppose as a bit of response to the crankies who choose to down either mixed breeds or purebreds, no, it won't guarantee a thing...at the clinic I have big problem purebreds & wonderful purebreds, big problem mixed breeds and sweet mixed breeds...and there are innumerable cases of the dogs being a DIRECT reflection of their owners, be that good or bad, no matter what or where the dogs hail from in the first place. In all reality, the only place we consistently have problems with is pet stores (my apologies to anyone who has purchased a pet store puppy, but I have to say it!) Unfortunately for both the dogs and the new owners, I can rattle off lists of problems and only a few success stories in our pet store (puppy mill!!) pups. The happy news in my area is that we have lost 3 of the stores nearby in the last year- leaving only 2 in the immediate area of our clinic- YAY!!! We have had much success referring people to EITHER shelters and rescues, or REPUTABLE breeders, either of which I consider fine places to find a beloved fur-baby to bring into your home. (as she climbs down from her soap box :wink: )