A few simple techniques can help you find out whether your new pup is a mixed-breed, and what those breeds might be.
You're looking for a golden retriever, but the breeder's new litter seems awfully shorthaired.
You've fallen in love with a dog at the pound, but your homeowner's insurance won't cover you if he's part pit bull.
Your new puppy looked like a poodle when you got him. Now he's 40 pounds and only 10 months old!
Such situations can throw any dog lover into a tizzy. But a few simple techniques can help you find out whether your new pup is a mixed-breed, and what those breeds might be.
1) Know the breed you want
St. Bernards are big. Shetland sheepdogs are small. Labrador retrievers are shorthaired. Each dog breed has its own standards set by the American Kennel Club. Learn these standards for the dog you want, if you want a purebred. If you're looking for a golden retriever, for example, know their coats are only ever gold or reddish gold. There is no such thing as a black golden retriever.
2) Learn the basics of other breeds
It's a good idea to have a working knowledge of the most popular dog breeds in America. That doesn't mean you have to memorize the height and fur color of the Papillion or the kuvasz. Learn the basics. Labrador retrievers, one of the most popular dogs in the U.S., have short black, brown or yellow fur. Dalmatians have distinctive spots. Dachshunds are short and long, kind of like a hot dog with legs. Get to know what some of the most common breeds look like.
3) Take a close look at your dog
If your dog is supposed to be a purebred, does she meet all the basic standards of her breed? If she's a mixed breed, what stands out most about her? Take a close look at your dog. Height, weight and fur are basic, but important clues. (If your dog looks like a lab but has spots, she's likely part Dalmatian.) After that, look for details. Only chow chows have purple tongues, for example. So even if a breeder swears that her purple-tongued poodle is a purebred, there's some chow in the family tree.
4) Research, research, research
There are hundreds of dog breeds in America. Some, like the golden retriever, are so popular nearly everybody can pick one out of a doggy lineup. Others, like the leonberger, are rare, seen more often in dog books than in the local park. Sometimes, such unusual breeds can be mistaken for mixed-breeds. If you think your dog is rare, look up photos of that breed on the Internet and talk to people who own that kind of dog. If you have a dog but can't tell whether he's a rare breed or a mixed-breed "" or a common purebred with an odd trait or two "" try asking your local vet.
5) Remember: the dog, not the breed, matters most
Like people, dogs are individuals. While each breed is branded with certain personality traits, not every dog will have those traits. Not every lab is happy-go-lucky. A dog that is part pit bull and part chow chow isn't predestined to be aggressive. Remember, training and love can be just as important as bloodline!
