Do you often wonder "how
do I identify my dog?" and "what dog breed do I have"?
With this article, know how to tell the breed of your dog.
Pets
: Dogs : How to Tell the Breed
of Your Dog
How to Tell the Breed of Your Dog
"How do I identify my dog"
or "what dog breed do I have", are common questions amongst
dog owners. Different breeds of dogs were created by man by methods of
selective breeding and through geographical isolation of the animals.
They were generally domesticated to do his bidding. This practice has
led to the evolution of numerous breeds of dogs. Generally DNA testing
can identify the breed of a purebred dog, with 99% accuracy. Other
conspicuous physical factors and personality traits can also help in
identifying the breed of your dog. Let us learn how we can tell the
breed of a dog by noticing certain prominent characteristics in his
body.
How to Tell the Breed of Your Dog
- First determine the vital statistics of your dog. Carefully
measure the height of your dog, till his weathers. Also take a note
of his weight. Keep in mind that there are variations in height and
weight between the males and females of the same breed. For e.g. a
standard male German Shepherd may stand tall at 24" to 26",
but a female German Shepherd may reach to a height of not more than
22".
- The next step is to carefully note his facial structure and the
structure of the head. Look at his eyes, ears, nose and shape of his
muzzle and teeth structure. See if his ears are pointed or droopy;
feathery or clear. These facial markings are different for different
breeds and can be good indicators for determining your dog's breed.
For e.g. a pug has a stout face, whereas dogs of the Spitz breed
have pointed and foxy faces.
- Now, feel the fur of your dog. Does he have a short or a heavy
coat? What is the texture of the hair? Is the hair straight, wavy or
shaggy? Now, make a careful observation of the coat's color. See if
it is uniform and single colored or is multi-colored, with patches.
For e.g. dogs like Labrador and Boxer are short-coated, whereas
Spitz and Terrier breeds are famous for their fine and silky coat.
- Never underestimate the tail of a dog. A tail tells a lot. See if
your dog has a plumed tail or a wiry tail. Breeds like Terrier have
a flowing and feathery tail, whereas some breeds, like the
Dalmatian, have a straight and thin tail, without much hair. Yet
other breeds, like Stumpy-tailed Cattle dogs, have a naturally short
tail. You can get a good idea of a dog's breed by carefully
observing the structure and the density of hair in his tail.
- One of the most important marks of determining the breed of your
dog is his temperament and psychological make-up. Some dog breeds
are innately even tempered and have a mild demeanor. They can be
easily trained as good house dogs. On the other hand, some breeds
are ferocious and wild, which is a hereditarily acquired
disposition. The energy level your dog displays during physical
activities can also be a strong factor in determining his breed.
Try these key steps easily at
home if you are having problems in determining your dog's breed and see
how good an observer you are.
