Border collie and what?

[kirschenregen]

Okay, so I'm not quite sure of my dog's breed. The papers from the Humane Society that I got her from said that she is a border collie/lab mix but the papers from the shelter that she was originally at says that she's a border collie/shepherd mix.

I do see a lot of similarities between her and other border collie/labs except that she has pointed ears rather than floppy. I noticed in some pictures that I've found that border collie/shepherd mixes have pointed ears. Most of them I see don't look much like her at all but I did find some pictures on Google that look just like her and they were labelled as border collie/shepherds.

These two look just like her:




I feel like she'll possibly look like either of these when she's older?:



I asked my dog's trainer what he thinks and he said he does see border collie but he doesn't see lab or shepherd at all so now I have absolutely no idea what she is.

So, I'd like to get some second opinions.


She is roughly 5 months old. Also, the tip of one ear is these pictures is still slightly down but now it's completely up.

[Nileska]

We can make all the wild guesses you like about your pups heritage but the only REAL way to get a clue is with a DNA test.
How much are you willing to spend ?...Does it really mater ?...Enjoy your pup !

[oldie moldy]

What ever the mix is she's a darn good looking dog! I've often wished somehow you could drain off about half of the ZIP, ZAM and Kapowie of a Border Collie and get a dog that a person could keep up with! Maybe you've done it!

Now Nileska's right, DNA is the only sure way to tell; but maybe her temperament will give you a clue. Just about every Lab I've ever known was a fun loving, loving everybody, outgoing dog. The German Shepherds; much more reserved and careful. Those last photos seemed to show a calm watchful dog. Of course, I'm extrapolating a lot from a little, you would be the better judge.

You said "I asked my dog's trainer...." Depending on how much of the Border Collie personality dominates in your dog you will really need to be engaged and proactive in her training and handling even more than a regular dog. If you're working every step of the way with the trainer that would be the only way to go. (as in "I asked our trainer...")
A wiry whip of a gal, who did a bang up job of training Border Collies once told me "These dogs are so fast they ought to come with seatbelts and air bags! And not for the dog!"

Best Wishes, Rob

[kian]

Genetics are a funny thing, it's hard to say. I am working with a dog now that looks almost identical to yours. The owners do know the parents, Border Collie/Kelpie. What your is could be a make up of several breeds. DNA test can be done easy enough, not always 100% accurate, at least you may get the dominate breed in there.

LOL Rob, that is a good way to describe the BC, having owned a purebred. I loved her, she was smart, quick and a joy to train.

[kirschenregen]

As much as I wish, she is very far from calm. She's extremely energetic even after spending hours at the dog park. She also likes to spend all day harassing and nibbling on the cat. -_-

[pawsforthought]

I would say either GSD or Kelpie, she's adorable though! She looks like trouble

[oldie moldy]

Well K, that's good she's active! The cat might not think so but once the the two of you get to training and working together you'll have a partner for life.

With such a bright dog you might want to start thinking about some activities where the two of you can shine. Agility is certainly one that comes first to mind, obedience trials, maybe. You might want to check, some places require the dog be a purebred. That's alright, who wants to put up with snooty people anyway! There's plenty of nice folks around.

I've always thought a lot of a little book; 101 Dog Tricks by Kyra Sundance and Chalcy. The book starts at the very beginning and the progression is very clear, the photos are golden. You might want to coordinate with the trainer of the both of you (!) just so there isn't any cross purpose confusion.

That one photo where she's looking off to the left; what a lovely dog!

Best Wishes, Rob