Figuring out the breed of your dog can be challenging, especially if they are a mixed breed. However, there are a few ways you can make an educated guess about your dog’s ancestry and breed mix.
Ask Your Vet
One of the best resources to help identify your dog’s breed is your veterinarian. Your vet will be able to examine your dog’s physical characteristics and behaviors to make an informed guess about what breeds are likely in your dog’s genetic makeup. Some distinguishing features vets look for include:
- Body shape and size
- Coat length, color, and texture
- Ear shape and size
- Tail shape and size
- Skull and muzzle shape
- Leg length and size of paws
Your vet can then match those characteristics to breeds that commonly have those traits. Their medical expertise gives them an advantage in accurately identifying breed mixes.
Breed Identification DNA Tests
For the most definitive answer, you can have your dog’s DNA tested. There are several companies that offer breed identification kits that can be done from home with a simple cheek swab. Some of the most well-known companies include:
- Wisdom Panel – Tests for over 350 breeds, types, and varieties. Also screens for genetic health conditions.
- Embark – Tests over 350 breeds and tests for 190+ genetic health conditions.
- DNA My Dog – Tests for over 120 breeds. Also provides some basic genetic screening.
The process is straightforward. You order a kit online, collect a saliva or cheek swab sample from your dog, and mail it back to the company. In 2-3 weeks you get a report detailing any purebred ancestors in your dog’s lineage going back to their great grandparents, as well as a breed mix breakdown.
Research Physical Characteristics
Even without a DNA test, you can make an intelligent guess about your dog’s likely breed mix by researching breeds that share your dog’s physical traits. Important things to look at include:
Coat and Markings
The length, texture, and color pattern of your dog’s coat can offer clues about their ancestry. For example, brindle markings often indicate some Boxer or Plott Hound, merle coats suggest Shetland Sheepdog or Australian Shepherd, small white spots can signal Jack Russell Terrier, and solid black coats frequently mean some Labrador Retriever genes.
Size
Your dog’s current size and projections for their adult size can indicate larger or smaller breeds in their background. Record your dog’s height, length, and weight then research breeds within those ranges.
Head and Facial Structure
The general shape of the head and specific facial features like eye shape, ear shape, muzzle length help point toward certain breeds. For example, a boxy head may mean some Bulldog or Mastiff, a narrow wedge shaped head can indicate Terrier, and a domed forehead often signals some Chihuahua genes.
Tail and Leg Length
Looking at the proportion of your dog’s legs to body and tail shape can provide more clues to their ancestry. Dogs with short legs like Corgis and Dachshunds tend to produce pups with shorter legs. Dogs with curly tails like Pugs or Spaniels will often have descendants exhibiting curled tails.
Research Ancestral Behavioral Traits
Your dog’s instincts and personality can provide additional insight into their genetic background. Many behaviors have a strong breed connection. If your mixed-breed dog exhibits any of the following behaviors, it may indicate ancestry from these breeds:
| Behavior | Indicates These Breeds |
|---|---|
| Strong hunting/prey drive | Hounds, Terriers |
| Herding other animals/pets | Collies, Shepherds, Cattle Dogs |
| High energy | Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, Dalmatians |
| Strong guarding instinct | Doberman Pinschers, German Shepherds |
| Excessive barking | Terriers |
| Digging holes | Terriers |
| Affinity for water | Spaniels, Setters, Water Dogs |
Conclusion
Identifying the breed makeup of a mixed-breed dog takes some detective work, but by combining your vet’s input, DNA tests, assessing physical traits, and connecting behavior to breeds, you can get a good sense of your dog’s ancestry. The most important thing though is that you love your dog for the unique, one-of-a-kind companion that they are, no matter their genetic background.
