New here! Hoping for your thoughts-Puppy breed???

makesthesignoftheZ · 06-10-2007, 07:32 AM

I have been lurking for a few days and thought it was about time to join this GREAT site!

We are hoping to bring Zorro home from the Rescue within the next 2 weeks. He is 11 weeks old and about 12+ lbs. The Rescue has no idea what his parentage is as he and his brother were rescued at 4 days old. Some are saying lab, shephard and even Newfoundland! Hoping that you can give me some ideas on what his breed may be-

Thank you!

Sorry- went a little crazy taking pics of the sweetie!

borzoimom · 06-10-2007, 08:12 AM

With the browing tinge coming in on his cheeks, I would say shepherd is in there, and I think the other part is lab.
Shepherds are born black, and start shading anywhere from 4 weeks old ( for a lighter shepherd or sable) to later like 6-14 weeks for like black and tans ( mostly black) or black and red..
I have some pictures of some shepherd pups at about that age, and it is similar. Let me know if you want to see the pictures.

makesthesignoftheZ · 06-10-2007, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borzoimom

With the browing tinge coming in on his cheeks, I would say shepherd is in there, and I think the other part is lab.
Shepherds are born black, and start shading anywhere from 4 weeks old ( for a lighter shepherd or sable) to later like 6-14 weeks for like black and tans ( mostly black) or black and red..
I have some pictures of some shepherd pups at about that age, and it is similar. Let me know if you want to see the pictures.

Thank you again borzoimom!

Wow! I didnt know that about Shepherd pups. I will take some more pics of him today as well and I would love to see the pics that you have. I appreciate your help very much-

SunSiberians · 06-10-2007, 09:24 AM

He's adorable! Congratulations! I'm with Borzoimom - I think he's a lab, shepherd mix (and most likely many other things too).

borzoimom · 06-10-2007, 09:36 AM

Here are some pictures of some of my shepherds. Keep in mind- even the ones as adults are shown as young dogs on this page. But you can see the browning I was talking about- especially on the cheek areas, and now I noticed its also browing on the chest in your dog..
The lower left picture- the one with 3 pups sitting together- they are all litter mates- but the 3rd pup is less brown than the others. The mutation color change in a shepherd can vary greatly from pup to pup depending on what color they end up at.

And that pup ended up looking like this.

Here is another set- keep in mind- these dogs are related- but look at the color difference- ( never ceased to amaze me visitors could not tell the difference... lol ) The last photo- look how dark that pup is..

luv4gsds · 06-10-2007, 09:55 AM

It kind of looks like Rottweiler/Labrador mix.

That is the first time I have heard about that in shepherd puppies borzoimom.

tirluc · 06-10-2007, 09:55 AM

[quote=borzoimom;84119]Here are some pictures of some of my shepherds. Keep in mind- even the ones as adults are shown as young dogs on this page. But you can see the browning I was talking about- especially on the cheek areas, and now I noticed its also browing on the chest in your dog..
The lower left picture- the one with 3 pups sitting together- they are all litter mates- but the 3rd pup is less brown than the others. The mutation color change in a shepherd can vary greatly from pup to pup depending on what color they end up at.

ok, BorzoiMom, those first 2 are not GSD....they are a Collie and a Boxer (can't see it real clear), right....

.........

borzoimom · 06-10-2007, 09:59 AM

lollll.. The collie is a champion tricolor collie, and the second is my champion black doberman as a puppy..And the 3rd out of place picture is one of my Belgiums I had..
Sorry- but these are on pages, scanned and loaded to my computer.. lol.. Let me scan a litter of shepherds at a very young age- give me a few minutes.

makesthesignoftheZ · 06-10-2007, 10:01 AM

Thank you again borzoimom! You certainly know how to make a newbie feel very welcome!

FABULOUS pics and I appreciate you taking the time to post these for me- Very handsome all of them! and I am very excited to have a shep/lab mix- ohh...hes gonna be a looker thats for sure!

This is a pic of his brother.

Their sister I was told was rolled over on my their mother at 4 days old and didnt make it

but they were immediately able to rescue the 2 males.

borzoimom · 06-10-2007, 10:18 AM

Took me a few minutes to find the same litter of the pictures of the pups you were looking at. Here they are at like 3-4 weeks to up to 5 weeks old. Mother is a sable, and only had one sable. That pup was flacked with brown by two weeks old but again- born black.
The pups ended up- black and tan ( pup 3), black and red (pups 1), black and silver ( pup 2), pup 4 was black with very light tan), mother with litter, and last pup at about 4 weeks old- same pup as number one ( if the photos are marked right.. lol. - hince the reason we use colored collars so we can tell..

Just remember- just like cats- the dog- the mother could have had a few uh fathers.. The brother looks a akita/ something- hard to see with only the front of the pup...

makesthesignoftheZ · 06-10-2007, 10:26 AM

More great pics- I can so definately see the Shephard in Zorro now-

He seems to be a mellowish (?) pup- Im not too experienced with puppies but...he is very friendly and loves to be held and have his tummy rubbed.

borzoimom · 06-10-2007, 10:34 AM

For what it is worth- I noticed in all those years in shepherds- the males are sweeter, typically calmer, and the females are busier and more independant. .. Could have just been mine- but that was my experience..

lovezois · 06-10-2007, 10:37 AM

Hi Lovely puppy I think there is some Newfie there and possibly lab, but no matter what the mix he is gorgeous.

makesthesignoftheZ · 06-10-2007, 10:58 AM

Thank you all for your words of wisdom- I would be thrilled to have a little newffie in him!

Hopefully I will have a date today to when he gets to come home. I am SURE to have ALOT more questions as my puppy knowledge is in the learning stages. Thoroughly enjoying all the great threads and info here.

borzoimom · 06-10-2007, 11:06 AM

I am sorry- I do not see any newfie or rottweiler.. For a newfie - the knees and wrists are HUGE, with a very dense coat like a black bear cub, and for a rottie- a wider more heavier head and muzzle..

Dieselsmama · 06-10-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borzoimom

I am sorry- I do not see any newfie or rottweiler.. For a newfie - the knees and wrists are HUGE, with a very dense coat like a black bear cub, and for a rottie- a wider more heavier head and muzzle..

I'd have to agree, no newfie there, Ella our black lab pup will be 11 wks on Tues. and she weighs 18lbs. right now. He looks quite a bit like Ella, with a bit narrower head and muzzle on your guy, so I'd second the lab/GSD mix.

makesthesignoftheZ · 06-10-2007, 02:22 PM

New pic! We visited Zorro today and he was especially bouncy today and was so happy to see us! Will find out next Tuesday when he can come home after the vet visits him.

This was the only pic that came out ok...he was soooo busy!

Thanks again all!

borzoimom · 06-10-2007, 02:33 PM

I now see tanning on the legs after the elbow.. As the head grows- either the ears will stand or stay as a lab.. Its hard to say.. BTw- what a pretty baby!

makesthesignoftheZ · 06-13-2007, 09:44 AM

whoo-hooo! FINALLY had the call that we have all been anxiously awaiting!

Zorro will be coming home from the rescue to his forever family (US!) on July 1st!

RenaRose · 06-13-2007, 03:48 PM

I know this is off topic but I wanted to hi to borzoimom. I love Borzois!!! There my favorite breed. I do alot of research on dog breeds and sighthounds are my fave. I want to have my own borzoi one day but I have to wait untill I'm out of college and have my own place with a big back yard. How long have you owned them?