For instance, if your dog is very small, in the 5 to 10 pounds (2. 3 to 4. 5 kg) range, he likely has some influence from the toy breeds, such as Toy Poodles, Chihuahuas, Papillons, and Shih Tzu. [2] X Research source If your dog is mid-range, in the 10 to 50 pounds (4. 5 to 22. 7 kg) range, he likely has some influence from a mid-range size dog, such as a terrier or spaniel. [3] X Research source Large dogs, in the 65 to 100 pounds (29 to 45 kg) range, include dogs such as setters, retrievers, and shepherds. [4] X Research source The biggest dogs, the ones that come close to 200 pounds (91 kg), likely have some giant dog in their mix, such as Saint Bernard, Komondor, or Mastiff. [5] X Research source Nonetheless, mutts can come in any size, and if your dog is mid-range, it may be harder to determine what breeds contributed to his genetic makeup based on size. [6] X Research source
Bat ears are large ears that stand upright on a dog’s head. They are large in proportion to the head. They may be slightly rounded. Chihuahuas and Cardigan West Corgis have these ears. [8] X Research source Prick ears stand upright and are pointed. You’ll see these ears on malamutes and Siberian Huskies, as well as some terriers. Sometimes, prick ears are made by cutting part of the ear, and those ears are called cropped. Great Danes and Doberman Pinschers often have their ears cropped. Another variation on prick ears is hooded ears, which curve slightly in at the bottom, like on Basenji dogs. [9] X Research source Round-tip or blunt-tip ears are upright ears that are rounded on the ends, seen on Chow Chows or French Bulldogs. [10] X Research source Candle flame ears are pointed ears, but they pinch in slightly at the bottom, making them look like a candle flame. English Toy Terriers have these ears. [11] X Research source Button ears stand up, but the top part flops down, covering the ear canal. They’re seen in Fox Terriers and Jack Russell Terriers, for example. [12] X Research source Cocked, semi-cropped, or semi-pricked ear stands upright, but folds just slightly over at the top, as seen in Rough Collies and Pit Bulls. [13] X Research source Drop ears or pendant ears drop down beside the side of the face, such as in the basset hound. [14] X Research source Another type of ear that is usually a drop style is a v-shaped ear, which is a elongated ear in a triangle shape, seen in Bull Mastiffs. [15] X Research source A folded ear is much like a drop ear. However, the ear hangs down in ruffles rather than straight down. You’ll see these ears in dogs like Field Spaniels. [16] X Research source Filbert-shaped ears hang down, but they have an unusual shape, looking like filberts. You’ll find these ears in breeds like Bedlington Terriers. [17] X Research source Rose ears are a type of drop ears, but they fold back instead of forward. You see these ears on Greyhounds. [18] X Research source
Curly tails make a little corkscrew. You see this type of tail in Pugs, Akitas, and Chow Chows, for instance. Bobtails are short tails that look cut-off. You see this tail on dogs such as Australian Shepherds and Pembroke Welsh Corgis. [19] X Research source Flagpole tails are long and straight and stand up like, well, a flagpole. You’ll see these tails on dogs like Beagles. [20] X Research source Rat tails hang down, and they have very little hair. These tails are prominent on Irish Water Spaniels and Afghan Hounds. [21] X Research source You might also see saber tails and sickle tails. Saber tails hang down but curve slightly upward and are covered in fur; German Shepherds have these tails. Sickle tails curve upward over the body and are covered in fur; Siberian Huskies and Chihuahuas have these tails. [22] X Research source
Apple heads are very rounded. In fact, they look like domes. These heads are often seen on Chihuahuas. [24] X Research source A square-shaped head is known as a blocky head, seen in Boston Terriers. [25] X Research source Dogs with noses sunk into their heads and an undershot jaw are called broken-up faces, as seen in Pekingese. [26] X Research source Snippy-faced dogs have sharp muzzles that aren’t very wide, such as Salukis. [27] X Research source Dogs that have faces that are concave are called dish-faced, as seen in pointers. [28] X Research source Dogs with down face have convex faces. Their faces are curved outward from the nose to the top of their head, as with Bull Terriers. [29] X Research source
While these tests can provide some information, they aren’t foolproof. In fact, getting tests from two different companies may show a different mixture of breeds. [33] X Research source See if you can find out which company has the widest database of dog breeds on file and choose the company with the most breeds. They will have a wider reference range and will be better able to more accurately identify your dog. It’s especially difficult to identify breeds if your dog has a larger number than other dogs; if your dog just has a couple of breeds, it may be easier to identify. [34] X Research source
