More guess that breed!

[fellini69]

Hi. I've been trying to figure out if my pup is a Shepherd mix or is full breed. I don't care either way, but I would like to guess how big he'll get (as healthy-big as possible!), what he'll look like, and breed-related expectations. He was 9 pounds 6 weeks ago and now weighs 25. He has little bits of white hair patches around his neck, on his front paws and tip of his tail.

[.sarah]

To tell you the truth in the face he kind of looks like he has Sheltie in him, but he seems to big. I'm not sure ... he may be purebred or he may have just taken on more of the Shepherd traits rather than the other breed.

[fellini69]

Sheltie is actually a good guess. His snout is a little more narrow/pointed than a shepherd's. Thanks!

[Husky_mom]

could it be some australian cattle dog?? since the markings on his feet, but he sure does have more shepherd traits noticeable

[Roxyluvsme13]

I dunno what he is, but he's sure a cutie!

[emilysgk]

Im thinking maybe some border collie? Shepherd seems to be a very dominant breed when mixed, kind of like a lab, it overtakes the others mixed in. But I see the narrower nose, and the ears are also a bit wide, making me believe he was mixed with a dog whose ears didnt stand up, at least not fully like a shapherds. Also some of the hair on the head looks a bit longer and silkier.

I dont know why, just see the border collie. Its a random guess.

[SemaviLady]

I don't think your puppy is a purebred GSD however he may well be 3/4 GSD. I think both parents would have erect ears and definitely one parent would have carried some degree of spotting trait (the white on the legs and over the shoulders evidence this). Dogs that are homozygous for solid color when crossed with dogs that have spotting trait (irish, pinto to color headed white) will dilute even the most flashy of pintos to just white on the toes in their puppies and scattered stray white marks on head, shoulders, chest, tailtip and legs.

Looks to be around 3 months of age. At three months, most large breeds will be about 1/3 of the weight that they will be at a year old -- then they will continue to fill out for another couple years, gaining between 5 and 20 pounds (in good trim).

One of my favorite doggie colors is tanpoint and your puppy is just gorgeous! Some photos of your puppy standing square on all fours and looking off to the side, taken at shoulder level (not a toupee shot!) will show more breed traits. Like the topline, the amount of tuck and proportions, tail carriage etc.

I do a lot of breed ID for rescue in my breed. Sadly we get a lot of 'toupee' shots where the enlarged nostrils or the top of the dog's head, or an angled aerial view is supposed to help clue in for the breed. That said... I'm famous for making lots of pics that look like that too.