Did I adopt a Dutch Shepherd...?

[L2fly]

Just wanted an opinion from people who know the breed... I adopted our little girl, Abella, from the county animal shelter this last February. They called her a 'shepherd mix'. She had been in there a while, I suspect because she was a bit bigger than a lot of people may be comfortable with (49lbs at the time) and was getting a bit 'kennel crazy'... when I saw first saw her, she was pacing endlessly, never pausing, not even to sniff your fingers. She had been in the shelter about two months.

I brought her home and it took her a few weeks to adjust... she was very protective over chew bones, for example, and would start fights with my larger shepherd mix, Calypso, whenever he approached her with one. Took her a while to adjust to us as well. But now, she is perfectly happy, a very active dog that loves to play with her 'big brother' in the back yard, and will jump on the bed and 'spoon' with myself and my boyfriend if allowed! Very affectionate, smart, a bit stubborn... have to constantly correct her 'heeling' on a leash, for example, because she'd much rather lead!

She is 60 lbs now and I think she's about full grown, best guess is she's just about 2 yrs old. My mother pointed out how much she looked like a Dutch Shepherd, and darned if she doesn't.... I have no idea how a Dutch Shepherd would be picked up as a stray in the Central Valley, CA, unless one of the Dutch dairy farmers imported her and she ran away as a pup...?

Anyway, I know its impossible to say for certain, but what do you think?

[Lauren]

What a pretty girl! My novice guess would be a Dutch shepherd Belgian Malimois (sp?) cross.

How lucky she is that you found her!

[Schlussdibusti]

Welcome to the forum! And, your mom is right. Thanks for adopting

[L2fly]

Thanks for the replies!

Schluss, I think my mom would say mothers are ALWAYS right! lol! But she nailed this one... I had never even heard of Dutch Shepherds, I can't begin to guess how she did!

Lauren, hmmm, I hadn't thought of that... she could very well be a cross! She has some white on her chest, and I've read that's a 'fault' for show DS... My understanding is the main difference between the Malinois and the DS is the coat, is that correct? Sounds like the breeds both developed along the sames lines, in the same areas, at the same time...

She's a little charmer, we are very glad we found her!

[Marjolein]

She looks pretty much like a DS to me
Nice dog, looks like she found a great home

[GSDNanny]

Nice healthy dog you have there and she is at 60 lbs? Then may I ask, how much does the ACD weigh?! Or is that an ACD/GSDX? Just wondering as the ACD is a favorite of mine as well. Have done quite a bit of herding with the ACD breed lately on a friend's cattle ranch.
Super tough little tanks!

[L2fly]

Nice healthy dog you have there and she is at 60 lbs? Then may I ask, how much does the ACD weigh?! Or is that an ACD/GSDX? Just wondering as the ACD is a favorite of mine as well. Have done quite a bit of herding with the ACD breed lately on a friend's cattle ranch.
Super tough little tanks!

We think that Calypso is a ACD/GSDX. I did the cheapo DNA test a while ago and GSD popped up most predominately, although that particular test did not recognize the DNA of the ACD, and I'm betting thats where he gets his colors. He also has a deep instinct to herd cows... took him out to a friend's ranch once, and he headed right for their heels! He didn't know exactly what he was doing, but he had a great time with them, dashing in and out, while making me very nervous!

He's right at 75 lbs. Not nearly as tank-like as the ACD, but a sturdy dog, and pretty bright! (Yeah, and a momma's boy... )

[saraandciara]

What beauties! I had no idea what a Dutch Shepherd was either when I adopted Ciara, but boy did we learn quick! She was labeled as an Australian Kelpie/shepherd mix. Seeing how Kelpies are on the rare side, we had a couple of breed-savvy friends mention the DS. We did a little internet digging, and we figured it out!