Dog Community

What do you think we're dealing with here?

Posted : 11/29/2006 4:19:30 PM

Hi Guys,
I'm new to this forum and this is a picture of my foster dog, Mason. He is quite a bundle of energy! I've had him in my home (only limited access on leash or in a crate though) since August. He took to the crate like water and we've learned "sit", "down", "wait" (although sometimes the "wait" takes a lot of patience!), and we're now working on walking nicely on leash. That is being quite a challenge. We also have 2 Shih Tzus, Willie and Sam (15 lbs and 12 lbs); Mason is 85 lbs! Mason is only a little over a year (the vet estimates), is neutered but still very playful. He has no idea how big he is and attempts to "play" with the Tzus, but is way too rough and DH and I are afraid he would injure them even if by accident. I guess that stuff should be in the Behaviour Thread. At any rate, he definitely has German Shepherd physical traits, he's very tall and leggy, but also has webbed feet! Maybe Shepherd/Lab/Hound of some type?
These pics were taken in August and September. I've had him on a premium dog food since then and he has put on some weight and filled out since then. I don't have recent pics with me, but I can post them later if anyone is interested...

rwbeagles

Posted : 11/29/2006 4:54:13 PM

I could buy Bloodhound x GSD. Many dogs have webbing between the toes...that itself...like black spots on the tongue meaning "Chow" are not always very reliable. []

Laurelin_429

Posted : 11/29/2006 8:34:43 PM

German shepherd x hound is what I'd guess. Cute dog!

houndlove

Posted : 11/29/2006 8:36:50 PM

I see hound too. Redbone x GSD maybe, and I'll buy bloodhound too. What kind of vocalizations does he make? Does he "woof woof woof" or does he "roooo" or is he silent?

P Smitty

Posted : 11/29/2006 8:39:25 PM

I'm going with shepherd/hound. Handsome dog!

I'm sure he'll learn to play nicely with your little ones. Is he working up to being allowed off leash?

tzumommy

Posted : 11/30/2006 3:44:26 PM

Mason thanks you all for the compliments; I think he's handsome too, and has a very big presence.

rwbeagles: Yes, I was really surprised to learn that some German bloodline Shepherds have black in their tongues and that indeed it is not just a "Chow Thing". I had always heard about the Lab having webbed toes, but didn't realize several others can too. I just found out that someone I know with a purebred Dane also has webbed feet (The Dane that is, not the owner)

Lillysmommy: Yes, we are "working up to" being off leash. Once he learns some house manners (like NO RUNNING and NO LUNGING in the house), I would be ok with them all off leash in the living area - while supervised. In our large yard; however, they're all just too hyped up and Sammy (the 12 lb Shih Tzu) has already been trampled once and rolled down a hill on another occasion (his little fuzzy behind triggers Mason's Prey Drive! LOL) Fortunately, all was ok - but it scared me and hubby a bit~!
I do let him off leash when I take him out alone to train/exercise with the frisbee in the yard. Until he learns to "watch me" more consistently though, I have no chance of calling him away from the fence when he goes off, jumping and aggressively barking and growling at the huge Filas (similar to Mastiffs) through the fence. I have to have a way of correcting him before he gets to the fence or it's a fight that is difficult for me to win once his adreneline gets flowing! (I should just let Mason at them since the un-neutered male Fila came into my yard and went for one of my little ones last weekend. DH literally dove in front of the big lug trying to keep him away from our little guy and then he would not leave our yard - which is fenced in! [sm=angry.gif][sm=angry.gif]) - (btw: I would NEVER do that - I care too much about all animals - It's really their owner that I'm venting about.)

Houndlove: He doesn't seem to bark at all if he's in his crate (unless he hears the dogs barking next door or if he's telling me he needs to go out), and he doesn't bark when on leash by my side, once again, unless he views a person or dog in the distance as a threat. When he does bark, it's definitely more woof-woof-woof, and when he means business (like barking at the neighbors' dogs which he seems to hate), or when he appears to be acting protective, he sounds like a junkyard beast!! I'm not sure what a Redbone is, but I'm going to Google it. I'm wondering if it would explain the redish tones and the beautiful lines he has when he's hauling butt through the yard and fairly gracefully leaping over shrubs, etc.!

Thanks again to all of you. I hope to find him a good permanent home, but in the mean time we'll just continue to work on giving him irresistible manners! (We have a LONG way to go!!)

tzumommy

Posted : 11/30/2006 4:12:53 PM

Wow ! I had never heard of a Redbone Hound, and just Googled for images. There really are a lot of features that are similar to Mason's! Those dogs are beautiful! Thanks for the heads-up on that one. I haven't gotten this far yet, but I bet you could tell me, do they generally have a good temperment?