If you're adopting or have a mixed-breed dog, it can be challenging to figure out what breed your pup is. That's why a dog DNA test can be a great way to get a clearer picture of what's in your dog's genetic makeup.
Purebred dogs can be identified by their height, body conformation, coat length, color, markings, head shape, ears and tail carriage. Some dogs are also grouped into certain breeds based on their specific traits, like retrievers and terriers that were bred to hunt.
Appearance
A dog is a domesticated descendant of the wolf, also called Canis lupus familiaris. It is a slender, muscular mammal with four long legs and a bushy tail.
In the wild, dogs hunt rodents and birds in packs. Their powerful senses allow them to track prey, and their strong legs and sharp teeth make them effective hunters.
They also have a distinctive paw pattern that can be very helpful in identifying their breed.
When a dog is young, its eyes may be blue, but they usually change color over time as they mature.
The tapetum, the part of the eye that reflects light back and forth, can vary in hue from green to blue or orange.
Because a dog has a limited range of colors, they might struggle to see certain shades of blue. They might also have a hard time telling the difference between red and yellow. But don’t worry: They’re still able to identify most things by smell.
Temperament
A dog's temperament is the way it interacts with people and other animals. It is a result of both inherited and environmental factors.
A recent study comparing the behaviour of more than 18,000 dogs found that ancestry has much less influence on a dog's personality than was previously thought. Researchers found that, on average, only 9% of the personality differences between pups were due to their breed.
The study examined the behaviour of a wide range of canines, from Labradors that were loving and easy to train to German shepherds that were impossibly headstrong. The research team says the findings "suggest that pedigree is not destiny."
Temperament is a complex set of characteristics that can affect how a dog responds to new situations, people, places and foods. It can also tell us how a dog adapts and persists in the face of challenges.
Coat
Every month, thousands of people ask the question, “what breed is my dog?” This cryptic query is usually posed by well-meaning friends and family. Although this is a legitimate question, it can be frustrating to come up with a definitive answer.
There are a variety of ways to determine your dog’s breed without DNA testing, but one of the best is by looking at his coat. The coat of a dog consists of two layers: a topcoat of stiff guard hairs, which repel water and shield the skin from dirt, and a soft downy undercoat.
Coats can be found in a variety of colors and patterns, including tuxedo (solid black), brindle (mixture of black/liver/blue/lilac and red/yellow/cream) and harlequin (ripped splotches of black on white). A dull coat can indicate an underlying health problem, like internal parasites or a thyroid disorder, but a shiny, lustrous coat is a good sign that your dog is healthy and happy.
Health
The health of a dog is a complex issue that encompasses many different aspects. These include disease processes, genetics and nutrition.
Small dogs tend to live longer than larger ones, but they may still be susceptible to age-related illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. These issues may not be noticeable in the early stages, but can lead to congestive heart failure and death.
In addition to these serious problems, dogs can also develop a variety of other health concerns, from parasites and skin allergies to dental issues. All of these can be very expensive to treat, so it's important to get your new furry family member checked out before they become an issue.
The most common medical problems for breeds were dermatitis or eczema, otitis externa and diarrhea. In addition, a variety of other ailments were reported, including lameness and Malassezia infection. Having these issues checked out is a great way to ensure that your pet will be in tip-top shape as they grow older.
