What is she?

2154 Views 29 Replies 15 Participants Last post by mitzi, May 9, 2012

arathorn

Discussion Starter · May 3, 2012 (Edited)

4

I found this forum by Googling "australian shepard wolf mix". I am hoping for help identifying the breed/breeds of this stray I took in 3 months ago.

She does not act, look, or move like any dog that I have been around. One wolf hybrid site that I was in contact with thought she might have some Aussie. That makes sense with the blue eyes and the long nose, but not with her head, body, and coloring.

I read some phenotype categories about wolves on another site. Her gait, large head, large paws, teeth, and mane match a wolf. Her eyes and tail don't.

If she is a wolf hybrid, hopefully I can get advice on a good diet. She will not eat much and is extremely thin. I will take more pictures and post them if needed.

Thanks!
ps. I posted on the newbie page and got no replies

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Willowy

· #2 · May 3, 2012

She does look "wolfy" to the casual observer. Can you post more pics? Showing her ears, paws, eyes, tail, body shape, etc. in more detail?

arathorn

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 3, 2012

I will take more pics tonight. Thanks!

Amaryllis

· #4 · May 3, 2012

Without more pics, I'm saying probably not a wolf hybrid- its really rare- but even if she were, as far as I know wolves and dogs have pretty much the same nutritional needs. I'd get her a good high protein grain free food like Wellness Core, TOTW, etc. you can mix in chicken, beef, fish, etc to tempt her to eat.

I'd take her to a vet. Lack of appetite is a symptom of lots of things.

arathorn

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 3, 2012

She has been to the vet twice for shots and has been checked for parasites. The vets advice was to feed her more. Why didn't I think of that!

I was feeding her a high end Euk***** with chicken as the main ingredient. I have tried mixing it with everything you mentioned, but can only get her to eat a cup of the dry per day. I was thinking of switching to Blue Wild*****, which is grain free.

She is happy and has tons of energy, but I worry about how skinny she is. She has a fairly large frame and weighs only 42 lbs.

Nev Allen

· #6 · May 3, 2012

At a quick glance I see more GSD than Aussie. I admire your courage in taking on a stray. You have no idea of what sort of ordeal she has had to put up with and there could be baggage you won't see until she hits a wall. Good luck.
On the food front, not sure you will find them in the USA, but try chicken frames, necks, wings or maybe turkey necks. Once she is eating again you can add in the kibble.

mlindsay

· #7 · May 7, 2012

Judging from that picture, I would guess very little if any wolf content. Though no one can give an accurate guess as you cannot see much of the animal (ears, head shape, body, etc)

arathorn

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 7, 2012

Willowy said:
She does look "wolfy" to the casual observer. Can you post more pics? Showing her ears, paws, eyes, tail, body shape, etc. in more detail?

I just posted more pics

arathorn

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 7, 2012

mlindsay said:
Judging from that picture, I would guess very little if any wolf content. Though no one can give an accurate guess as you cannot see much of the animal (ears, head shape, body, etc)

I just posted more pics

mlindsay

· #10 · May 8, 2012

Still not seeing any wolf. Her body shape and long fur makes me think Aussie. Blue eyes is a recessive trait which usually means both of her parents would have to have a good amount of dog in them. Think it's safe to say she is a shy aussie mix with no wolf content in my honest opinion. They require a great deal of excersize so she could be stressed out. Pacing and being a picky eater aren't wolfy behaviors. If you want a good food brand I would suggest Origen which is what I feed my border collie.

Miss Bugs

· #11 · May 8, 2012

3

my first reaction was actually a Belgain Tervuren mix

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arathorn

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 8, 2012

Thanks for the help. Do you think someone was trying to breed dogs to look this way and pass them off as wolf dogs? Owning and breeding wolf hybrids is still legal here in Arizona. I will probably never know her history, but I will always be curious

Laurelin

· #13 · May 8, 2012

I swear I replied to this but I see Aussie and husky.

HollowHeaven

· #14 · May 8, 2012

^I see some sort of husky in there. Maybe some aussie, but I don't see any wolf.
Someone have been trying to pass them off as wolves. It's not all that uncommon. I know someone who bought full well that her neighbors had a wolf hybrid (and her neighbors thought for sure they did) when the dog was clearly a collie mix.

mlindsay

· #15 · May 9, 2012

Laurelin said:
I swear I replied to this but I see Aussie and husky.

Thats what I was thinking

Donna5503

· #16 · May 9, 2012

First off....She is a beautiful dog! She looks a little scared, that's probably why she isn't eating alot. Her eyes look like the light gold color of a wolf & she has the long legs of one too. I really don't see Aussie in her. I do believe that Belgain Tervuren & Siberian Husky are part of her mix (both great dogs)

She is a very lucky dog to have you take her in. I want to rescue every stray I see. Good Luck to you & your new addition. With love & kindness, she will come around, just give her some time. Keep us updated & post more pictures!

luv2byte

· #17 · May 9, 2012

Malamute shephed mix?

JonTempleton

· #18 · May 9, 2012

Definitely looks like an Australian Sheep Herder to me. They are cool. That low body lets them avoid the hooves.

arathorn

Discussion Starter · #19 · May 9, 2012

Donna5503 said:
First off....She is a beautiful dog! She looks a little scared, that's probably why she isn't eating alot. Her eyes look like the light gold color of a wolf & she has the long legs of one too. I really don't see Aussie in her. I do believe that & Siberian Husky are part of her mix (both great dogs)

She is a very lucky dog to have you take her in. I want to rescue every stray I see. Good Luck to you & your new addition. With love & kindness, she will come around, just give her some time. Keep us updated & post more pictures!

Thanks! She is beautiful and it was love at first sight. Weird because I am a Boxer person. Those pictures were taken early on. She has come around quite a bit since then. Quite the character.

That first Belgain Tervuren picture on the post is wild. I can see some resemblance though, and she does have some red in her coat. When she howls she says "row, row, row". Is that a Husky trait?

Laurelin

· #20 · May 9, 2012

Tervs are not common dogs and that coloring can come from tons of breeds. Look up agouti huskies.

Yes, huskies are very commonly talkers.

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