Age old question...Is this a Dutch Shepherd?

[dutchman]

Hello all, I'm new to this forum and to the (possible) dutch shepherd lifestyle and am hoping you can help me identify my beautiful boy Skye. We got him from a shelter in Houston because the former owner surrendered him. They estimated him to be 10 months old and labeled him as a Dutch Shepherd mix. I think he could have some in him, though I've had a couple people swear up and down he is a Malinois. I think he started out in an apartment and just got to be too much for them (ZOOMIES OMG). He is house trained and knew immediately that the crate in our bedroom was for him, so no problems there. Skye seems to be bonding to us really well, we can't go anywhere in the house unsupervised. He keeps checking in on both my wife and I if we are in different rooms lol. He is pretty playfully mouthy and I constantly have to switch my or my wife's hands with an acceptable chew toy. He loves his rope, but before bed time he always chews one of his body parts whether its his tail or foot. Getting a lot better on the leash training, he loves to pull ahead to whats next. When I go for a run he does tire out before me (partly why I think apartment, doesn't have much stamina yet. Upside down sleeping picture below) but he stays right next to me and acts better on the run than walking. Training was pretty much starting from scratch, he didn't seem to know much when he got him, but he picks it up quickly! When he's not getting what I'm training (IE bad trainer) he keeps trying out the different things he knows to see if its what I'm looking for. He sometimes switches between higher drive for food or his favorite rope toy which I'd never seen with the beagles I grew up up. Working on the cat socialization, he wants to play, but his little look alike sister is not so enthusiastic (or rough).

Either Dutch Shepherd or not, let me know what you guys think, there seems to be a lot of good info on this forum.

Thanks!

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[Tim91118]

Is his coat harsh to the touch ? The tail should also have a slight brush to it. He is pretty smooth coated.
Anyway you look at it, it looks like you found yourselves a buddy for life.

[dutchman]

His body has some rough feel to it, but his head is silky soft.

I've noticed all the dutchies I've seen has a slight bushy tail, thought it might be some Mal in him.

[sysyphus]

Perhaps formosan mountain dog?

[ladyjubilee]

Bramble took a while to get her full energy back after being in the shelter...then one day she went from being laid back to a ball of energy.

He's a cutie.

How big is he?

[dutchman]

He is just under 24 in. and 44 lbs.

[Tim91118]

That also does not fall into the weight parameters for a male Dutch Shepherd

[ralbucks]

He looks exactly like mine was at his age similar weight. They said he looked like a hyena he was very different..From 2 years on if he is healthy he will put on weight..Mine is 4 years at 80 pounds and has grown a lot lengthwise.some just grow into their mature body much later than you expect.Give it time and good food and exercise,especially if hes coming from a shelter.