Sabina Update...

[Equest94]

Some of you may remember me asking about, my dog, Sabina's breeding. We are experiencing a "doggy prejudice" and due to a possible homeowner's insurance increase, may have to give her away....


I guess there is an inspector coming at the end of March to re-assess our home and property and will also "examine" Sabina... so please keep your fingers crossed for us.


The SPCA Shelter that we adopted Sabina from "sold" her to us as a German Shepherd X Labrador Retriever mix... we're certain about the GSD...the lab not so much... however, my mom just took a look at her adoption papers and we actually have 2 sets of papers, one saying she's a GSD/Lab, the other GSD/Australian Cattle Dog...

After realizing this, I can actually kind of see Australian Kelpie. This would explain her thinner fur, shorter/smaller stature, and blocky face....

Does anyone know anything about the Australian Kelpie breed besides it being a herding dog? I really think this could be a possibility.


GSD/Kelpie mix puppy:
http://www.soundpet.org/montana.html

Sabina:
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/MCFNEO/011608_2133.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f194/MCFNEO/010808_1247.jpg

 

[silkiechicken]

If it was me, I would so go with the German Shepard x Cattle dog since its down to the line and I still don't see the lab in her. Best of luck!

 

[Equest94]

Yeah... thank you. We didn't realize we got 2 sets of papers... the 2nd one makes much more sense, so we are going to fly on the GSD X Australian Kelpie mix, but still... we'll see what happens with that woman and our insurance.

 

[turnerstar31]

I have australian cattle dogs and we have never had a problem with the insurance. The worst part is that they can be a little nippie but that is the breed. If you train them right they will not even do that only maybe when they are playing as they sometimes forget.

 

[GAhen]

I'm afraid he/she is going to see some pit bull too. The head, the slick coat........
As a Dog rescuer I try to avoid using pitbull in any description of a dog if I can help it.
But this dog has such a mixture in her she should not be judged by any of that "insurance stuff" if she is a sweet dog then that is all that should matter.
I would call her a mixed breed because that is what she is and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Best wishes to you and Sabrina.

 

[Equest94]

I'm really afraid we cannot just use "mix" as a breed. Our insurance automatically assumes pit or any other bully breed unless it really is a "true mix." Sabina has very distinct features... I know you can't really tell from the pictures but she's very well structured and defined.

I never thought she was a pit mix...yes, her head is a bit blocky but she doesn't show any other pit features... I'm just worried because most people assume that any rescue that has a blocky head must be a pit mix... which isn't all true.

After our "recent finding: of a second set of papers... we are pretty sure she is a GSD/Kelpie (close relative to the cattler dog/heeler). Kelpies are about her size/height, they can come in short/thin fur (smooth coat, although most are fluffier), and they also have a broad-blocky head and a stouter muzzle. The German Shepherd gives her the black muzzle and the saddle mark on her back. GSDs also can also be smaller (more of the working bloodlines rather than the show-bred), and can even come in thinner-shorter coats.

As I have said, how that we actually have more "believable" papers I'm hoping the inspector will take those into account instead of going on what the neighbor committee manager thinks...



Kelpie Pictures:
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i122/cry5ta1x/Picture187.jpg
http://www.petalia.com.au/images/petoftheweek/potwjun11ravi.jpg
^^^ Horrible picture, but goes to show how broad their faces can be...

I wish I had better pictures of Sabina...I swear she really has the same structure and look with the GSD characteristics added in.



Thank you all.