[upendi'smommy]

Lately quite a few people have been arguing with me over what breed Mina is. They ask what she is and I tell them politely 'She's an aussie lab mix' and the reply is 'No she's a catahoula' First of all if you already 'know' what she is then why ask me? Second of all, I met Mom and she was definitely an aussie thank you. I can see where the confusion would be, but I swear I know what she is. She's just a self merle.

Does she really look that much like a catahoula?

 

[NalaBaby]

It's probably because of the coloring. Seems like alot of people assume that any dog that color is a Catahoula.

 

[emka]

I thinks she looks more like an Aussie than a Catahoula. The head, face and ears... Definitely Aussie

 

[Keechak]

depending on how she looks as an adult you could probably even ILP her as an aussie. Her ears are just a bit too low and floppy for an aussie she must have gotten that from the labrador

 

[sheltiemom]

I've seen aussies with floppy ears like that though...they call it hound ears, right? She looks to me like she's going to end up being smoother coated than a full aussie....anyway, I don't know why people like to argue breed like that, I get it all the time with my merle sheltie. I know for a fact that he's 100% sheltie, but people insist that he's an aussie mix to the point of trying to argue with me over it. They may be just trying to make conversation and haven't had alot of practice at it.

 

[Ludo the Monster]

She is beautiful, that is what she is!

People question Ludo's breed all the time. He is a Husky/Heeler. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't tell me he is Shepard. Nope, sorry. I met both parents when I rescued him. Mom was a Husky and Dad was a Heeler.

 

[Kat_Renee]

People do the same to Belvie! 'Course, we don't really *know* what his other half is. Once i tell them his mom was an aussie, they usually say, "Oh i see that now"

It doesn't also help that the catahoula is the state dog either..

 

[upendi'smommy]

Keechack - I wouldn't ilp her, just because I know she's a mix and technically I believe they're supposed to be purebred for that? And akc now allows mixes to compete in obedience and agility I believe? She actually holds her ears more up and back now, that picture was older. Just for reference this is how she's been holding her ears.

Sheltiemom- I'm pretty sure she's going to have a smoother coat, although she's starting to grow some long hairs here and there.

I suppose it's just annoying that people seem to assume they know more about my dog than I do? The part that gets me is that there are very very few catahoulas around here.

 

[Keechak]

I've seen aussies with floppy ears like that though...they call it hound ears, right? She looks to me like she's going to end up being smoother coated than a full aussie....anyway, I don't know why people like to argue breed like that, I get it all the time with my merle sheltie. I know for a fact that he's 100% sheltie, but people insist that he's an aussie mix to the point of trying to argue with me over it. They may be just trying to make conversation and haven't had alot of practice at it.

I have never seen an aussie with "Natural" hound ears. All of the hound ears I've seen have been on show dogs who've had their ears taped down from a young age. So yes there are aussies out there with hound ears but 98% of then are caused by the owner taping the dogs ears. Prick ears are very common as are button and rose ears.

 

[upendi'smommy]

I have never seen an aussie with "Natural" hound ears. All of the hound ears I've seen have been on show dogs who've had their ears taped down from a young age. So yes there are aussies out there with hound ears but 98% of then are caused by the owner taping the dogs ears. Prick ears are very common as are button and rose ears.

Why do they tape their ears down? Just asking, I thought hound ears are a serious fault.

 

[Marsh Muppet]

That color would be great camouflage for a dog in a duck blind.

 

[Keechak]

Why do they tape their ears down? Just asking, I thought hound ears are a serious fault.

Yes it is a serious fault. But there are a few judges out there who can't tell a "hound ear" from a "button ear" and there are more than a few show breeders out there who and I quote "HATE the look of rose ears" I have had breeders at shows urge me to tape Hawkeye's ears down much more so that they wouldn't be rose (even though "rose ears" are a named acceptable ear set in the breed).
If I would have taken their advise Hawkeye would have hound ears now, and I would probably still be showing him and most judges wouldn't notice or care.

 

[kpollard]

I get the aussie mix or heeler mix from people all the time on Teddy--who is a smooth collie. The lady we got him from met both of his parents and had his papers...I am pretty sure he's not anything but collie, people!

 

[ThoseWordsAtBest]

People always like to venture their best guesses with Smalls. I don't mind, because quite frankly, who knows what she is. I know I get annoyed when people have their suggestions for Jack, even after we tell them he's a Norwegian Elkhound. I think my boyfriend died a little inside when someone insisted he must be an Akita mix. He's so proud of his Elkie.

 

[Curbside Prophet]

Does she really look that much like a catahoula?

In some ways...yes.

 

[Spicy1_VV]

Too fuzzy to be a Catahoula

I can see the Aussie.

Though there is a great resemblance, so I think it would be easy to mistake her for a cat mix.

 

[upendi'smommy]

CP - Her muzzle is narrower than a catahoulas, her coat isn't right for one, and she's also not big enough to be a cat. I could go on really, but it's pointless. The fact is the only reason people argue with me is her color. If she would have white and the tan points it wouldn't be an issue. I just find it disrespectful for people to try and prove me wrong about my own dog. If you mistake her for a cat fine, but when I tell you what she is don't assume you know more than I do about MY DOG.