What Breed is My Dog?

When adopting a new pet, it’s exciting to get to know their personality, quirks, and antics. But one important question you should be able to answer is: What breed is my dog? Knowing your dog’s breed can give you important insight into their health, temperament, and care. It can also help you determine if their unique behavior is normal for their breed, or if something might be wrong. The good news is that it’s not too difficult to figure out what breed your pupper is. Here’s what you need to know.

Physical Appearance

Take a good look at your dog’s physical appearance. Do they have a short, furless coat? Little and compact body? Long legs? Upright ears? These are all clues to look out for on your journey to determine the breed. Consider referring to a breed recognition chart, which can help you compare different breeds by their physical characteristics. Also look out for other distinctive features such as spots, fur patterns, tuxedo markings and particular eye colors. Using the physical features you observe in combination with a breed recognition chart, you can make an educated guess on what breed you’re dealing with.

DNA Testing

If you’re still unsure, one of the most reliable ways to determine what breed your dog is involves getting a pet DNA test. By swabbing your pup’s cheek, you can get the results of their breed within weeks. Depending on the test you choose, the results may include not only the breed of your pup but also characteristics such as their risk for certain genetic diseases.

Answer From the Rescue organisation

Finally, if you adopted your pup from a rescue organization or breeder, ask them for the dog’s breed. This can be especially helpful if you’re looking for more information on socialisation, health, and other specific training needs. They may not have all the answers, but they may be able to tell you which breed was the most dominant in your pup’s parentage.

Knowing what breed your pup is can be an incredibly rewarding and comforting experience. When in doubt, be sure to consult your local vet or animal care organization to ensure you give your pup the right care and training for its breed.