Help identify Shepherd please. - Page 1

This was my dog Dutch.  We rescued him from an animal shelter in Birmingham in 2001.  Last night we were out on a family walk and he got loose and wandered into a busy road.  Before we could even call his name he was struck by a car and died a few minutes later.  It has been a devastating loss and I was curious as to what type of shepherd he might be if we decide at some point to adopt another one (if possible).  We were told he was a shepherd/lab mix.  Last month he weighed 96 per the vet. This picture was taken 2 days ago.

Thanks for your help.

http://s883.photobucket.com/albums/ac35/Joshmm/?action=view&current=IMG_5447.jpg
http://s883.photobucket.com/albums/ac35/Joshmm/?action=view&current=IMG_5445.jpg
--Josh
 

I'm so terribly sorry for your loss, you have my sympathies.  Hard to say what he's mixed with but he appears to be brindle.  Could be anything.  Are you thinking of trying to get the same mix?  If so, your search may be difficult, indeed.  If you'd like another rescue, go to the local shelters and try to pick one with a similar temperment, as looks can be deceiving.  In a mix, it's hard to tell how they'll end up.  Good luck to you.

Looks like Plott Hound mix to me. SO sorry for your loss. 

First, I'm very sorry for your loss.  He looks like he was a sweetheart.  As for what's mixed into him, I have a question: which Birmingham?  Alabama or England?  It affects what he'd likely be crossed with.  I agree with the GSDtravels that when you're ready for another dog you should look for personality, and not try to match the exact cross.  I've had three GSDs of my own, all adopted from shelters, and all with quite different personalities in spite of being purebred from what anyone could see.

Thanks for the replies guys :)  We adopted him in Birmingham AL in 2001.  

I don't want to try and replace him.  If I do get another dog, I would of course love one like him and figured the breed/mix might have had a big factor in his personality.  I have had labs before in my life, and this dog was nothing like any other dog I have ever owned.  Total sweetheart, and I would trust him around my 3 year old without thinking twice.  Probably the smartest dog I have ever owned as well.  He learned to lay down, roll over, sit, etc in about 1 hour and never had to be disciplined for anything.

I will keep my eyes open. Of course, I have never been able to pass a homeless or abused pet, so I will end up with whatever I come across :)

Thanks again guys.

--Josh

He was definately brindle color... so would look @ something like a Plott or even an Akita.  Either would be an interesting combo.  From his expresion I'd suspect more the Plott Hound (or Catahoula)

Maybe Dutch Shepherd & Lab?
Who really knows.  He was a good dog to you.  So sorry for your loss!
Just check the temperment of your next rescue so you end up with just as good a dog as he was.

Sorry about your loss.

Here is what I think he could have in him, cause of all those brindle markings.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/dutchshepherd.htm  

Good luck with finding your next best friend.

There are so many breeds that display brindle, I'd say it would be impossible to tell unless a DNA is/was done.  Mixing can result in a dog that looks nothing like either or any of the breeds that went into producing it.  We can guess, but it will still be just that, a guess.  My daughter has a cocker/beagle mix and if you saw her you'd swear she's got whippet or greyhound, it's just too hard to tell which genes shape each dog.  The best bet when choosing a mix, any mix, is the individual dog's personality and temperment.  I hope, when you are ready, that you find a friend that is loyal and loving, looks would be the icing on the cake.  Best of luck to you and yours.