breed identification

Question

Maggie   QUESTION: Hello - I've hopped over from the allexperts Turkey board.  I adopted a stray dog about three years ago and I have always wondered what dominant breeds she is composed of.  I've attached a photo.  Can you help?  Thank you!

ANSWER: Congratulations!

She looks to be enjoy her vantage point.

There are DNA profile service to determine the mix of breeds for dogs. My sister is thinking about doing that with her dog. The adoption folks said it was a Rottweiler, but he looks much more like a Beagle or other hound, and his bark is certainly a hound voice. ;)

Links for testing information:
http://www.wisdompanel.com/
http://www.marsveterinary.com/PR10032007.aspx
www.whatsmydog.com  

This is a total guess on my part as I am not familiar with all the breeds in your area.

If you were in my area, I would guess German Shepherd with perhaps Labrador Retriever.

In your area, I might think about these more regional / local breeds:

Caucasian Mountain Dog (also known as the Caucasian Ovtcharka)  

Akbash Dog

These two might factor in, but they have a little different head shape and coat:

Anatolian

Kangaal  


If you do the test, let me know what you find out. Good Luck!


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Kathleen, thank you very much for this. The Akbash dog definitely looks like a possible ancestor.  I have no way of knowing if Maggie is an indigineous dog to Turkey or if she was abandoned by somebody visiting on a boat as so often happens.  The local town dogs are more of a wiener variety so I definitely think she came from elsewhere.  

To tell you the truth, I don't know what to do with her sometimes.  She has many `owners` in town and wanders around on her own for most of the day, coming to us for the evening.  She is increasingly aggressive towards other dogs, vehicles and people.  I don't know whether to try and keep her locked up in the house (she's hopless on a leash) or to let her live the life she's always known...


The DNA testing sounds like a great idea but I don't think I'll end up bringing a vial of her blood across the Atlantic!  It's very interesting though.  

Thanks again
Dina


Answer
With a dog that has a territory the size of Maggie's, it doesn't surprise me that she might be territorial.

You could start training her to work with the leash and become part of your household. That would certainly reduce the risks of being loose and encountering strange dogs and vehicles.

Will you be moving from Turkey? If so, will she be coming with you? That might influence how you progress with her.

http://outlawchinooks.com/articles.html
http://outlawchinooks.com/aggression.html