What breeds might he be?

    • Gold Top Dog

    What breeds might he be?


    Trooper is now 11 months and about 55 lbs. We aren't sure what he is, but he was listed as a Great Dane/Blue Heeler (which I don't really see!). He is very active (runs circles around Rosie!), learns quickly, and is a big cuddler. Any thoughts?
     

     

     
     
    • Gold Top Dog
    I see quite a bit of Catahoula. Head type, coat and pattern, energy, body style.
    The ears and eyespots?...perhaps Husky?
    • Gold Top Dog
    Thanks rwbeagles! Our vet said he looked a bit like a Catahoula, but they aren't very common around here (I hadn't even heard of them before this vet visit), so it seems unlikely--but anything is possible! The husky seems possible too.
     
    We're almost certain he has some sort of hound in him, it's just a matter of which type! [8D]
    • Gold Top Dog
    Looks like a Blue Heeler/Husky to me.  The color over his back coat is really Blue Heeler coloring.  But those ears are big for either breed!  Of course he's still a pup and may grow into them!
     
    Cute dog!!!
    • Gold Top Dog
    I think that coat is catahoula as well. I think there are more of them around than people realize. I'm not sure what province you are in, but I know there was and may still be a breeder in Ontario. That looks more blue-merle pattern to me than the ticked patteren of a cattle dog. Hard to say what else...might be some husky, might even be some border collie(the freckles might come from a border collie) Also, I don't think a lot of breeds have that extra dewclaw...border collies are one breed that does though, along with a few others. 
    • Gold Top Dog
    Thanks everyone!
     
    I am in Nova Scotia, but it is certainly possible that he may have some Catahoula from Ontario. I don't have access to his former owner to ask about where he came from (I adopted him from a rescue), so we'll never know for sure.
     
    His ears are too funny--one is up, and the other flops over. It makes it hard to determine what breed he could be. If only he could tell us!
     
    It doesn't really matter what breed he is (we'll love him all the same), but we need something to put down for his dog license.
    • Silver
    What an awesome looking dog! [:)]  I'm going with catahoula/border collie. 
    • Gold Top Dog
    Thanks! We think he's great too! [:D]
     
    We may just put Catahoula mix, if they'll let us. That leaves it more open for interpretation. I really don't know anything about Catahoulas, so it's great to get all these second opinions!
    • Gold Top Dog
    He's too cute!  I'd say buy the coloration, Husky but by the way thears and tail look, I would say German Shepherd.  Either way, he is very cute!
    • Gold Top Dog
    He is definitely blue merle. That's not a cattledog or heeler color. Cattledogs have extended white spotting, genetically, and the spotting/ticking in the body color grows in, exactly like a Dalmation.

    That's both an Aussie or Border Collie color. The body and ears look more BC to me, as does the really extended tri. I'm pretty clueless on what else might be in there - something houndy - he reminds me of my friend's Walker/Border Collie mix - but there's also something husky-ish in there too. Maybe one of those Alaskan sled dog mixes?

    If he's a Border Collie mix he'll fill out a whole lot more in the next couple of years. Ditto husky mix.

    ETA: I've seen a few Catahoulas and I just don't see it here. They are more "cur dog" looking, harking back to their mastiff-type ancestors (also the ancestors of bloodhounds, if that helps you see the type). And Eastern Canada doesn't really have a whole lot of herds of any kind, much less the highly specialized work that need Catahoulas. These aren't just general herding dogs - they are bred to go in and bite and bite hard, chase and never stop, and turn back things that are charging to kill. They work well independently but don't take finicky training well - they'll just leave if you try to suggest they go right when they think they should go left, and you try to enforce your point.
    • Gold Top Dog
    • Gold Top Dog
    My first thought was there has to be a smidgen of basenji in there, that face and the ears with a slight curl to the tail, the body doesn't quite match but I really do see it in him.

    Random basenji pic from googleing:
    • Gold Top Dog
    weird how every time the blue merle color shows up people say "catahoula" even though that's the least likely option. There are lots more blue merle aussies, collies, BC running around than catahoulas. 
    • Silver
    I'm always awed by your knowledge of dog breeds and "stuff", Becca! [:D] I love to hear your input on these things.
    • Gold Top Dog
    I'm a naturally nosy person. [;)]