Dog Community

Is she mixed?

Posted : 5/27/2006 11:47:09 AM

I have been wondering this for a long time. What is my dog? I don't even know if she's purebred or mixed (not that it matters to me, I'm just curious.) She came from a bad situation and we know virtually nothing about her history. We were told she was a Dalmatian. If she's a Dalmatian she's obviously mixed, but with what? A lot of

eople say she looks like she has whippet in her too. Personally I think she looks like a pointer: ticked, dark ears, long tail, deep chest, etc. Another reason is because she came from the country where there'd be far more pointers than whippets or Dalmatians.

Here are some pics:

Also, her name is Piper and she's about one year old in these pictures.

Some info on her temperament:
-very social and friendly, loves everyone
-very energetic, hyper, playful
-trusting of strangers, not a good watchdog
-quick learner, smart
-claustrophobic (she won't go into small rooms, or certain places if it's a small entry)
-has never growled or shown teeth
-rarely barks (when she does it's deep)
EDIT: thought of a couple more than are very important:
-"birdy" (has high prey drive for birds)
-absolutely loves to run
-the first couple times she saw a rabbit, she sorta "pointed" (froze & stared with her neck out, crouched a little, and raised her front paw.) She stopped doing this though, now she just freezes, then bolts when the rabbit moves. This was the first indication she was a pointer.

So what do you guys think?

lorib

Posted : 5/28/2006 2:34:27 AM

Her ears are more "pointerish" than a Dal's and her muzzle is shaped differently too. I think you're right about that mix. She's cute!

mrv

Posted : 5/28/2006 7:10:06 AM

Have you checked her against the standard written for Dals. I think it is very possible she is a pure bred dog. Randomly (read that oh I have a XXX and I am going to breed it to my friends XXX). Look at the variety in goldens (they have large numbers). Compare the typical golden in the street to the ones in dog shows. The variability ( the ear size, the whippet look etc) may even be used in the descriptions of the standards to identify the less preferred dog. Now you dogger is quite striking and sounds great, so on that part of the best dog possible, you have got it made.

anne

Posted : 5/28/2006 4:20:15 PM

Her snout is a little larger than dals & her ears are also a little larger. I would say she is probably a mix but I agree with mrv that she sounds like a great dog. I have 2 dals & she has some of the same characteristics (my marley doesnt like birds but LOVES squirrels).

I wont venture to guess what she is mixed with but she does have the dal body & she has the same smile/serious look that my two dals have. (You never know though, I have seen purebred dals who dont look like the standard at all.) Congrads on saving her too!

determinedX2

Posted : 5/28/2006 10:23:33 PM

Thanks for the replies. I'm still leaning towards pointer though. I've had two Dalmatians, both of which didn't look too much alike, but there are huge differences between those two and Piper. mrv, I read what the AKC said a Dalmatian should look like.... they didn't mention ticking. You can't tell from the pics but she doesn't really have "spots." They are small with a lighter shadow, though in the pics the shadow blends in and makes the spots look bigger than they really are. They're also lighter than in the pic.

I wish there was some test to know... I get asked a lot what she is and I feel kinda stupid saying "I don't really know", haha. Oh well. Thanks again for your replies.

orangedog

Posted : 5/29/2006 8:57:20 PM

It's difficult to tell for sure. I've met a few purebreds who looked very similar to her, just really poorly bred. Judging by the fact that she looks more ticked than spotted, she might be mixed with Pointer...she's a beautiful dog.

mehpenn

Posted : 5/29/2006 9:51:37 PM

ORIGINAL: determinedX2

. I get asked a lot what she is and I feel kinda stupid saying "I don't really know", haha. Oh well. Thanks again for your replies.

Lol... then don't tell anyone you don't know. It's highly unlikely she's a mix of two purebred dogs... but if she were mine I'd say she's

ointer/Dalmation mix. She's obviously got characteristics of each of those breeds.
Or you could make up your own breed... I did that once. I had a JRT/Beagle/Dachsund mix. He was ADORABLE and the best little lap dog EVER! I got so tired of people asking me what he was.. so one day this lady asked me what kind of dog he was and I replied "An American Beasund Terrier". She said "Yeah... I've heard of those... but never seen one in person." I just laughed and walked off.

determinedX2

Posted : 5/29/2006 11:21:00 PM

That actually sounds kinda familiar, maybe because Beasund it sounds like Keeshond? Haha, who knows...

determinedX2

Posted : 6/3/2006 4:38:03 PM

I just noticed something about her today... she has webbed feet! I can't believe I didn't notice before. I didn't even know some dogs did.

Dalamatians don't have webbed feet, do they? It's just the breeds that traditionally swim, right?

garrettandpaul

Posted : 6/4/2006 8:45:16 AM

She's is a beauty! I am by far an expert on determing any dog breed but if I had to say I would say Pointer/Dalmation mix. Thanks for sharing the pics with us an whatever breed or breeds she is I'm sure it will not make any difference with how you feel about her.