What kind of puppy am I?

[Kats&Dogs]

Hi. A friend gave me Prate but she doesn't know what kind of dog she is. I'd like to have any idea as to how big she'll become as an adult, as well as breed-specific diseases. She was born in January (I think she's around 5 weeks old) and weighs 2 lbs. Thanks for your help.

[Nileska]

The only way you can get a clue about her heritage is with a DNA test...Is it worth a couple hundred bucks to find out.

BTW...A puppy that age should still be with her mother and littermates...you are not doing her any favor seperateing them this young ..there are shots and worming to be done about now..A new puppy schould see your vet right away to be examined and have the nessecary series of shots scheduled...Note: there is no such thing as a " FREE "puppy.

[kian]

Your friend has not idea what the puppies are, what is the mother? Yes, 5 weeks is wayyyy to young to be leaving the litter.

[pawsforthought]

She definitely looks like some sort of herding breed. She doesn't look too dissimilar to my Aussie boys when they were that tiny! Her ears are exactly how theirs were. Tiny little triangles.

She does have a tail yes?

So Aussie/Border Collie, something along those lines. She's got an awful lot of white on her, so hearing and eye tests might be a good idea. Herding breeds are renowned for their hip problems so get those checked too.

Did your friend BREED this puppy or buy her or what? It sounds unusual to me that she gave you a dog and she doesn't know its breed. How did she come by her?

And as Kian said, 5 weeks is far too young to be away from her mother. :/

[Kats&Dogs]

Thanks for all the replies. The puppy was given by a friend who came home from Dubai. Her parents are too old to take care of the pups so she gave them away before she left. I let Prate play with some of the dogs in the neighborhood. I know it's not the same but...Anyways she's scheduled to see the vet for check up, deworming, vaccines and stuff. I really hope she turns out ok. It's been a while since I had a dog, much less a tiny puppy.

[oldie moldy]

Katz, That is one cute puppy. You spoke of allowing the pup to play with other dogs. Until she has all her shots in my opinion you really need to keep her up and away from other dogs. PARVO is awful stuff and super contagious. If humans could get it it would eclipse the black death as far as scary diseases. Once the pups get it all you can do is supportive therapy 'cause the thing is a virus and no antibiotic will touch it.
Maybe you'll get a break because it's still winter and by and large diseases don't spread as bad in cold times; but I sure wouldn't count on it.

Be Safe, Rob

[pawsforthought]

Yeah she shouldn't be playing with dogs you don't know extremely well before her vaccines...and be wary that because she's so small it can be very frightening for her, she should really still be with her mother so playing on her own with adult dogs will be intimidating to say the least

You can take her out but only in your arms. You don't want her to pick up any nasty diseases!