Jack & Co. Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 I'm wondering if the BC experts out there can tell me if my puppy is a BC. After grieving for our 14-yr. old Cocker Spaniel for 4 years, my teenage sons begged for a puppy. We went to the animal shelter with our only requirement that it be a small dog out of respect for our two cats. The shelter worker said they thought he was a BC but they weren't sure. He's about 33 lbs. at 8 months, about knee-high, and his markings are black, white, and tan/copper. He has black and brown polka-dots on the white stockings on his legs and stomach and there are brown spots under his chin. There seems to be some brownish puppy fuzz that is fading away around his ears and on the top of his head. Jack is a very busy dog and if we don't give him something to do, he will assign himself a task, such as rolling a ball down the stairs and then thundering after it. Everything he does is done at topspeed and with great intensity and we've decided that he is a whole lot smarter than we are! He was very successful with his first obedience class and the instructor invited him back to train as a therapy dog. I apologize if the pictures aren't the right size....maybe someone could give me some suggestions. http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h218/macestuff/sleepy.jpg[/img]"]http:// ://http:// http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h218/macestuff/Smartboy.jpg[/img]"]http:// ://http:// http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h218/macestuff/Hi.jpg[/img]"]http:// ://http:// Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebecca, Irena Farm Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 He looks like a male version of Miz's Boyden, doesn't he? He looks like there's either Border collie or Aussie or (less likely) English shepherd in there. The head and ears suggest a little "something else" - but he sounds like he's close enough for government work, right? Welcome, and thanks for giving this good lookin' boy a second chance! We're in NC, too - there's several Tarheels here in fact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg's mum Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 This looks distinctly like a Bernese Mountain Dog...they behave a lot like Border Collies http://www.bmdca.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack & Co. Posted April 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 Thanks for your suggestions on a possible mix. We've heard Aussie before and our vet continues to cling to her guess of Afghan Hound (which surprisingly enough, she says she sees quite a few of in her practice). His fur is very soft and touchable; it is very long and thick but he never has a mat, unlike Cockers! He is very muscular...my boys call him Buff Puppy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Oop Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 Jack & Co: My Allie is a purebred BC, but is also a tri-color. Jack looks quite a lot like her, although he could be mixed with a Bernese Mt. Dog or an Aussie. Doesn't look Afghan to me. Allie's fur around her ears is very similar to Jack's. She also has the eyespots. Allie is 29 lbs. and about 18 inches high at 1 yr. old. Jack certainly appears to have a lot of BC characteristics. Whatever the mix (or not) he is a handsome dog! Welcome to the Boards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaisingRiver Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 I'd say, no Afgan. Nose seems short for a pure BC and he looks a little thicker then one. I'd say probably a BC mixed w/ likely Aussie. I wouldn't venture into Bernese though. My BC is 7 months and is 30lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PSmitty Posted April 29, 2006 Report Share Posted April 29, 2006 I'd venture a guess of bc/aussie. He's quite a cutie, no matter what he is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat's Dogs Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Afgan?! I don't think so. They have REALLY shap snouts, and so do most BC, so that just would explain the blunt snout here. Maybe, bc/lab, a type of hound mix...? What I first thought of was a BC/Newfoundland but he is a bit small for that, however, that is (imo) a newfie face. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSnappy Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Actually, he looks *nothing* like a Bernese Mountain Dog I would guess he is an Aussie cross - I knew an Aussie X Rottie that bore a strong resemblence to the dog pictured. I don't reallly see border collie and that doesn't mean it's not there ... but I don't really see it. RDM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debbie Crowder-BaaramuLuke Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 He's handsome, obviously intelligent, biddable, and has lots of energy, you love him, he loves you guys, so I wouldn't worry about pegging him with a breed label so much. You'd be surprised how many dogs out there are 3rd, 4th, 5th generation crosses (and beyond). He may not have seen a purebred relative in this century. The fun of a good mix is that you get to discover how unique he really is, a little like this kind of dog, a little like that one. It only gets weird when you get somewhere and have to peg a label on him, but beware the of the generalities associated with that breed label, like Rottweiler...your homeowner's insurance may go up. Enjoy him, he looks like a great dog, one I'd call a mix, period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack & Co. Posted April 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Thanks to everyone for weighing in! I feel very welcome! Many times I will just say he's a "pound puppy" and that covers everything. With my only doggie experience being with a Cocker (who think they are just short, furry people), I want to get a handle on what he might be so we can meet all of his mental and physical needs. We are constantly amazed at his intelligence and how he looks for ways to serve. I had forgotten how dogs are one of life's great joys! Oh, yes, and cats are one of life's great joys too! (Just in case my cats, Mao and Lucky, are reading this! Hi, kitties!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted April 30, 2006 Report Share Posted April 30, 2006 Hey Jack, I see you are in NC. You should bring him out to the BC Boards get together in July at Becca's place in Semora. Then we can see him in person and you can compare him to lots of different border collies. Plus you get to meet a bunch of nice folks! Here's the most recent thread discussing the get-together: http://www.bordercollie.org/cgi-bin/ultima...t=010834#000000 J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack & Co. Posted May 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2006 Thanks for the invitation, Julie. It sounds like a lot of fun and I'm sure it would be informative! I'm a North Carolina native, but I had never heard of Semora. I see that it's up on the VA line and I'm sure it must be lovely. We're down in Cabarrus County. Jack loves riding in the car, but our recent trip up to Blowing Rock and the Parkway just wore him out. http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h218/macestuff/Wornout.jpg[/img]"]http:// ://http:// Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prosperia Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 Aussie mix, like my Buddy. But looks arent everything. Buddy's real bouncy and vocal, which is why I believe he's an aussie, and not a BC. Its all in the personality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack & Co. Posted May 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 They sure have similar markings, Maria. What is Buddy's fur like? Jack's is very thick and long, but silky, and it parts down the middle along his back. It looks like Buddy has spots too. Jack is bouncy also, but not hyper, it's just that he finds the world a fascinating place. He usually limits his barking to his guard work---UPS man, vacuum cleaner, shredder. I'm glad your human boy has a dog because it is very important for boys to learn gentleness and kindness. Boys and dogs just go together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prosperia Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 Buddy has a medium coat. Not what I would consider silky, but he has a skin problem and his coat isnt what it should be. He has some merling on one of his front legs as well. He isnt hyper either, but when he's going outside, or when I wake up in the morning, or when its time to eat, or Jen gets him riled up. . .man he can really move when he wants to! I would describe Jen as a bullet when she runs. She gets real low to the ground and BAM! she's off. Buddy on the other hand, takes a little while to get started He gets his rear end up underneath of him and scoots really fast. He's pretty funny to watch once he gets going. ??How'd you know about my human boy?? You sly dog, did you do a search on me. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack & Co. Posted May 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 I went to Buddy's Dogster page to see more pictures of him and you mentioned how happy he was to have a boy of his own. Jack is very fast also; he runs low to the ground with his fur rippling. When he has played outside and we call him to come in, he streaks toward the door at top speed. My husband said that one day he is going to crash through the railing at the back porch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCjetta Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 Looks aussie mix to me. Maybe some border collie or something else too. I think he's a little small to be full aussie. Our aussie is 50 lbs and about 23 inches tall and he was about 40-45 lbs at 8 months and similar height to what he is now. Who knows, could even have a bit of spaniel in him to make him a bit shorter... This is our aussie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack & Co. Posted May 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 Beautiful pictures and beautiful dogs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prosperia Posted May 2, 2006 Report Share Posted May 2, 2006 BCJetta, That first pic is a classic Buddy look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kat's Dogs Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 Don't forget about the new "mini" aussies. I have seen TONS of little tiny aussies (30 pounds and under) lately. But I agree that the personality. I have seen a pure Border Collie that looked more like some strange newfoundland/husky mix but boy was that dog a great herder! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCjetta Posted May 3, 2006 Report Share Posted May 3, 2006 I was just really looking at the shape of his face in the side view. Its almost exactly the same type of angles and shape as my older dog who we think is a spaniel/chow mix. She's pure black though and has thicker ears. But just the shape of his muzzle reminds me of her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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