How to Identify Your Dog's Breed

There are various reasons why you might want to figure out your dog's breed, ranging from simple curiosity to understanding its characteristics or potential health problems tied to its breed. Whether your dog is purebred or a mix, you will find a way to answer the question: 'What breed is my dog?' based on scientific evidence or informed speculation.

Decide how deep you want to go. If you are just curious about your dog's breed, you can make an educated guess based on its physical appearance. However, if you're concerned about breed-specific health issues, you might need the help of an expert. In this case, scientific evidence, expert assistance, and detailed analysis will be more valuable. For instance, if you discover that your dog has some Doberman Pinscher traits, you'll know that they are prone to heart disease and spine issues. This knowledge can help you inform your veterinarian to check for signs and symptoms, as well as empower you to educate yourself about potential health concerns for your dog.

Check the pedigree if your dog is purebred. Most owners of purebred dogs are aware of their dog's pedigree records, but sometimes these papers are forgotten. If you know your dog is purebred but are unsure of the breed, you can still retrieve plenty of information.

• If you're certain your dog is not purebred, skip this step.
• If you know your dog is purebred based on information from the breeding organization, you can retrieve the dog's information from their online portal or obtain a physical record by contacting the breeding organization with the dog's registration number.
• If you cannot access these details, you can still find a breeding organization that holds the relevant records and access the information through their online records system.

Ask a vet about the possible breed of your dog. Vets interact with dogs daily and have a wealth of experience with various breeds, so they can offer valuable insights about your dog's lineage.

• Consult with the vet about what breed your dog might belong to. They can offer helpful suggestions or guide you in further investigations.
• You can also ask groomers or breeders to get their perspective on your dog's breed, as they, too, work with dogs on a regular basis.

Consider DNA testing. A quick online search will reveal several companies offering DNA testing services for dogs, which can help identify the breeds your dog is mixed with. Keep in mind that not all home testing methods yield the same results—accuracy depends on the company's database. Cheaper tests may save you money but could have smaller databases and less precise results.

• For example, one test might reveal that your mixed-breed dog is 60% Labrador, 30% Dachshund, and 10% other mixed breeds.

Proceed with the testing procedure. If you choose this route, you'll find various options in terms of accuracy, complexity, and cost (typically, these factors increase or decrease together).

• Test kits costing around 1.4 million VND are commonly available online or in pet stores. Most of these kits require a cheek swab. More expensive tests might require a blood sample taken at a veterinary clinic.
• To collect the dog's cheek swab, ensure no food or debris is between the cheek and gums. Open the swab kit (avoid touching the swab itself), lift the dog's lip, and gently insert the swab into the inner cheek. Gently rub the swab and move it up and down while keeping the dog's mouth closed. Let the swab dry for five minutes before placing it back in the kit.
• The results will be emailed within two to four weeks.
• Despite the associated costs and limitations, DNA testing remains the most scientific and accurate way to trace your dog's ancestry.

Accept the limitations of visual identification methods. You might think that an expert can easily determine a dog's breed with just a glance, but this method is not always accurate.

• One study showed that even those labeled as "dog experts" only had a 27% accuracy rate, primarily relying on the dominant breed traits visible in a mixed-breed dog.
• Ignoring concerns about accuracy, visual identification is still popular among mixed-breed dog owners, mainly to satisfy curiosity and, most importantly, because it's free.

Take note of the distinctive features you observe in your dog. Create a list of characteristics, ranking them from the most noticeable (like large, pointed ears or an average body shape). This step will help you narrow down the search for possible dog breeds.

Determine your dog's weight and height. If you don't have a pet scale, you can weigh yourself first, then pick up your dog and weigh both of you together. Subtract your own weight from the total to get your dog's weight. Of course, you can also take your dog to a vet for an accurate weight measurement.

• Use a tape measure to record the dog's body length, from the front to the back, from head to foot, and from side to side.
• These basic measurements will help you eliminate breeds that differ significantly in size from your dog. For example, if your dog weighs 22.5 kg, it is unlikely to be a toy breed.
• For example, toy breeds (weighing 2-4.5 kg) include Chihuahua and Shih Tzus. Dogs weighing between 4.5 kg and 22 kg could be terriers or hounds. Dogs from 22 kg to 45 kg could be sporting dogs or retrievers. Dogs over 45 kg might have Saint Bernard, Mastiff, or other giant breeds in their ancestry.
• If your dog is still a puppy, you can use websites that allow you to enter your puppy's age and weight to estimate its adult size.

Assess your dog's physical traits. Take note of any features you observe. Does your dog have a large, medium, or small bone structure? A broad chest? Is your dog muscular or slender?

• If your dog is still a puppy, you may have to wait until it fully matures to see clear signs of these developed features.
• Consider how these physical characteristics may relate to the dog's abilities. This step will help narrow down the possible breed identification. For example, if your dog has long legs and a slender body, it might belong to a shepherd breed.

Observe other physical traits. Look at the muzzle, skull, back, and tail, and note any distinctive features.

• Breeds like the Pug or Bulldog have round skulls and short muzzles (brachycephalic condition), while breeds like Collie or Greyhound have long muzzles and narrow skulls (dolichocephalic skull shape). Dogs with a balanced head shape (mesocephalic) have a proportional skull, such as the Labrador or Australian Shepherd.
• Read guides to find more examples of physical traits commonly associated with specific dog breeds or groups.

Dog Coat Evaluation. Does your dog have long or short hair, or is there a double coat? Is the texture coarse or soft? Some dog breeds, like the Dachshund, have long bodies and short legs, and they come in three coat types: long, short, and wiry. Other breeds have only one type of coat, such as the Chinese Shar-Pei, which has a short, bristly coat, or the American Eskimo Dog, which has a fluffy white coat.

• There is a wide variety of dog coats. Rottweilers usually have short black and mahogany fur with brown markings on the head and chest. Many (but not all) terrier breeds have wiry, short coats, such as the Cairn Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, and Jack Russell (also known as Parsons). Poodles are famous for their curly fur, which comes in various colors and sizes.

Coat Color Evaluation. What colors are your dog’s fur? Does it have any patterns? Some dog breeds typically have one or a few colors or patterns, which can help narrow down your search for a specific breed.

• For example, the German Shorthaired Pointer often has white fur with liver-colored spots, while the Vizsla breed is known for its solid rust-colored coat. Other breeds have patterned fur, where reddish or black patches mix with white fur. Notably, the Australian Shepherd and Shetland Sheepdog are examples of this pattern.

Using Observable Clues to Identify Dog Breeds and Make the Best "Guess." Despite thorough descriptions, it’s nearly impossible to be entirely certain of your dog’s breed. However, by using resources that describe breed traits, you can at least eliminate many possibilities.

• There are countless websites where you can search for dog breeds with images and brief descriptions of characteristics to help you find similarities with your mixed breed. Many sites categorize breeds by size, from tiny to XL.
• For example, The American Kennel Club (AKC) has a search function with images and brief descriptions of common breed characteristics.
• Eliminate breeds that don’t match your dog’s traits. Then search for breeds with similar features.
• Keep in mind that your dog could be a mix of several breeds. If it shares traits with one breed but doesn’t match entirely, it likely carries a portion of that breed’s lineage.