I may have adopted a DS mix, but I'm not sure.

[andy-matic]

Over a year ago now I adopted my buddy (named Bodie) from my local animal shelter. His backstory was that his previous owner was homeless, and kept both Bodie and another puppy with him until there was some kind of incident where Bodie was acting hostile and may have been hurt during the capture. The folks at the shelter had trouble with him his first night, but after he had time to calm down he never gave them any more problems. He's very playful and affectionate, but also calm and intelligent, and besides having a loud bark he's been nothing but a sweetheart since he joined the family, and is great with my family's other dogs and even my one year-old niece.

I had been under the impression that his brindle coloring was from being a lab/GS mix, but recently found pictures of dutch shepherds while snooping around online and he's almost a spitting image, except for his chest, chin, and feet have white spots which don't seem to be desirable traits in purebred DS's. He also has an ear that flops over instead of both of them standing straight up unless he's very excited. I'd like to know as much as I can so that I can be prepared for any potential health problems, and so that I can give him a proper diet and exercise routine. I'll include several photos, a couple are from when i first adopted him and he was very malnourished and frightened, but he's much happier and well fed now. I don't entertain the idea that he's a purebred DS, but to me it looks like there's at least a bit of DS in his genes.

https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos ... e=55016DA1

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/ ... de75590136

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 57e772f61a

[Dutchringgirl]

There are many many breeds that have brindle coats. Having brindle dosnt a DS make. He could be many things. One thing I do know, he is super cute.

[andy-matic]

His physical features look very shepherd-like as well (in my opinion) so that's the other reason I suspect he has some DS in his makeup, but you're right. My brother has a brindle mix who is part boxer. Thanks you, I'll tell him you think he's cute

[johninny]

thank you for rescuing him!
he does look like a sweetheart.
and if he is smart enough to understand the ''cute'' compliment, then he probably does have DS in him.
it is VERY hard to tell from the photos you posted [the attachment suggests more of a yes than the links], so pending greater visual evidence, i would say it all depends on his character: whether he has the personality, the hyper awareness, and the super intelligence of a DS. but he does look like a great addition to the family no matter what he is.