What breed is my rescue dog

Why knowing your dog’s breed can be helpful

Before we jump in, let’s talk about why breed identification can be more than just curiosity.

Knowing your dog’s potential breed(s) can help with:

• Understanding temperament and behaviour

• Choosing the right diet or activity level

• Spotting breed-specific health concerns

• Meeting their physical and mental needs

Plus, it helps when someone asks, “What kind of dog is that?” and you’d love a better answer than, “She’s… a very good girl.”

1. Observe their physical traits carefully

Your dog’s body tells a story. While looks alone won’t tell you everything, they offer valuable clues when paired with other info.

Start by taking note of:

• Size and weight

• Ear shape and position (floppy, erect, semi-erect)

• Tail style (curled, docked, feathered, straight)

• Coat type and texture (curly, smooth, wiry, double coat)

• Colour and markings

• Muzzle length and shape

• Body shape (stocky, lean, barrel-chested, deep-chested)

Use a photo of your dog in a standing position from the side to compare with online breed databases.

One great free tool is DogKey by Petfinder, which uses a visual questionnaire to narrow down breeds based on appearance.

2. Pay attention to behaviour and instincts

While coat colour can be deceiving, behaviour is often a better breed clue. Dogs are hardwired with certain traits depending on their breed ancestry, even in mixed breeds.

Does your dog:

• Herd other animals or children? → Could be part herding breed (Collie, Aussie, Cattle Dog)
• Chase scents obsessively with nose to ground? → Hound mix (Beagle, Bloodhound)
• Guard the house and bark at every sound? → Working or guardian breed (German Shepherd, Mastiff)
• Dig or try to tunnel? → Terrier tendencies
• Fetch endlessly or love swimming? → Retriever types

Even play style offers hints. For example, sighthounds often play with short bursts of running, while terriers shake toys like prey. Dr. Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB, a board-certified veterinary behaviourist, says: “Behavioural tendencies don’t lie. A dog with strong herding instincts likely has a herding breed in their history, even if they don’t look the part.”

3. Use online breed comparison tools

There are several helpful websites that allow you to upload a photo or answer a few questions to get breed suggestions.

Top picks (free or low-cost):

• 🐕 What-Dog.net by Microsoft – Upload a photo and it suggests breeds using facial features.
• 📷 Dog Scanner (App) – Free version lets you snap a pic and get instant breed guesses. Not perfect, but surprisingly fun.
• 🧩 Embark’s Dog Breed Quiz – Even if you skip the DNA, their quiz helps narrow down guesses.

These tools are based on algorithms, not medical data—but they’re a fun starting point and often surprisingly close.

4. Check shelter records or ask the rescue group

Many rescue groups make an educated guess when labelling dogs, but it’s worth revisiting. Ask them:

• If they saw littermates (which can hint at breed traits)
• If a previous owner provided info
• Where the dog came from geographically (breeds common to the area)

You can also ask if they’ve seen similar dogs and what breeds they suspect.

Shelter Tip: Staff members who work with dogs daily often develop a good instinct. Don’t hesitate to ask what breeds they see most often in “mixes” like yours.

5. Ask your vet or groomer

Vets and professional groomers often see hundreds (if not thousands) of dogs a year. They tend to notice subtle physical traits—like foot shape or tail carriage—that you might overlook.

Bring it up during your next visit and ask for their opinion. Some might say, “I’d bet there’s some Border Collie in there,” or “That head shape is all Pit Bull.”

They won’t be able to confirm without DNA, but many have surprisingly accurate guesses.

6. Read breed guides (and compare photos!)

Dog breed encyclopaedias and websites like the American Kennel Club (AKC) are full of detailed descriptions and images. Read through the characteristics of dogs that might match yours based on appearance and behaviour.

Try making a short list:

1. Breeds your dog resembles physically
2. Breeds whose temperament matches their behaviour

Then look for overlap. Many mutts are a mix of common breeds like:

• Labrador Retrievers
• German Shepherds
• American Staffordshire Terriers
• Border Collies
• Chihuahuas

These are some of the most common ancestry results found in DNA tests, which can give you an educated direction to guess.