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What other breeds show in my GSD from the shelter?

4705 Views 40 Replies 24 Participants Last post by  Mr.Max
My wife and I picked up Maximus from a local shelter about two weeks ago. They said he is a German Shepherd that is about a year old. Can anyone tell me what they see based on the pictures (linked below)? We were wondering how much German Shepherd he is and what other breeds he's crossed with. From what I've read so far, it sounds like the DNA tests aren't very accurate.

This is our first dog and we are very excited to learn as much about him as we can.



Note: We have since gotten rid of the rawhide bone. I didn't think it was a big deal but apparently some folks feel very strongly about giving dogs rawhide. We are still learning...

There are more pictures here:
Maximus pictures by jkyoachim - Photobucket

Thanks for your help!
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Looks like mostly, if not all GSD. Is that straight white on his chest? Maybe a little husky? I'm no expert but he looks mostly GSD to me. Congrats either way!
Kinda hard to tell from the one pic? He's only a year? To me IMO his ears look a tad big for being a year old? I'm not trying to insult I am just trying to answer the question. Did they say he was a mix? Now about the rawhide, as long as he's not eating huge chunks, I don't think there is anything wrong with it just keep your eye on him, if he gets a big chunk loose in the bone cut it off and throw it away, try to keep it as hard as possible. I have been wrong before but if it's a quality rawhide I think it's fine.
first off, he's a good looking dog. 2nd, i would say besides the GSD he may have some collie in him (guessing from the white chest). And as far as the rawhide goes, really all you need to watch out for is his water intake. My dogs LOVE rawhide and will chew on them all day if we'd let them. If they drink a lot of water after chewing a large portion of rawhide, the rawhide in their stomach swells and can cause a blockage. Drinking a little water is fine but gulping it down isnt.
He looks like a German Shepherd to me.
He is probably 2/3 GSD but all that white on his chest and paws comes from another breed, maybe Collie?
I question his age myself. According to the surrender sheet from the shelter, the previous owners said he was 11 months old but they also said that they had him for 11 months. And I'm pretty sure that they got him from someone else. Which may mean he is 11 months + however old he was when they picked him up. What's the proper age that a puppy would be sold?

There are more pictures when you follow the link below the pic but they aren't the greatest for getting a good look at him. I will try to get some more pics up tonight.
Thanks.
He's a good looking dog and if it weren't for the white on his chest I'd say all GSD. His face looks all GSD but the white says he must be mixed with something else.
Puppies normally go to their new homes at 8 weeks old (2 months). BUT some back-yard-breeders will let them go sooner...5, 6, 7 weeks.
Thanks for all the feedback, we really appreciate it!
the proper age a pup should go to a new home is at 8 weeks. Some go at 6 weeks which should never happen without a REALLY good reason because they miss out on vital time learning doggie rules and boundaries.
The white paws and tip on the tail aren't typical shepherd markings so there's probably something else in there but he does look like a shepherd for the most part.
Pretty boy!
He's really handsome. He has those soulful, hard-to-say-no-to eyes.
I wonder if....maybe...what am I trying to say lol? Can it be possible for a GSD to have the resesive white gene and not turn all white? Does anyone here know what I am trying to ask lol, I am brain dead today.
I wonder if....maybe...what am I trying to say lol? Can it be possible for a GSD to have the resesive white gene and not turn all white? Does anyone here know what I am trying to ask lol, I am brain dead today.
No, but there is a white spotting gene in GSD's. It is usually a white spot on the chest, but I have had puppies with white toes and spots on their chins.
I wonder if....maybe...what am I trying to say lol? Can it be possible for a GSD to have the resesive white gene and not turn all white? Does anyone here know what I am trying to ask lol, I am brain dead today.

the only thing i can say would explain that much white on a shepherd without it being a mixed breed would be the panda gene but if that was the case we would be seeing a great deal more white that we are. However, as we're only getting one view being the front, i cant say for sure.
the only thing i can say would explain that much white on a shepherd without it being a mixed breed would be the panda gene but if that was the case we would be seeing a great deal more white that we are. However, as we're only getting one view being the front, i cant say for sure.
More pictures here if you want to take a closer look.
Maximus pictures by jkyoachim - Photobucket
Call me crazy but I keep looking at those ears and thinking Pharoah Hound. Not sure if that would account for the white chest, though.
More pictures here if you want to take a closer look.
Maximus pictures by jkyoachim - Photobucket
yeah there's not enough white on him for him to be panda. and panda sheps usually have white on their faces.

Call me crazy but I keep looking at those ears and thinking Pharoah Hound. Not sure if that would account for the white chest, though.

Thats kinda what i was thinking though i couldnt click it in my head the breed specifics aka Pharoah Hound. BUT considering the dog is only a year old and if he IS mixed with some collie breed, that would explain the smaller head with the ears being so large.
He is probably 2/3 GSD but all that white on his chest and paws comes from another breed, maybe Collie?
I agree 100%.
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