What Breed Is My Dog? (4 Ways To Find Out) - Wisdom Panel

Why is it important to know your dog’s breed?

If you’re a pet parent to a mixed breed, you’ve probably found yourself wondering, “What breed is my dog?” And while there’s something to be said for satisfying curiosity, understanding your dog’s breed can be beneficial when it comes to delivering tailored care. 

Historically, dogs were selectively bred to perform specific jobs, such as herding, guarding, or hunting. And even if many dogs today don’t serve as working animals, they still retain the qualities and characteristics that made them good at their jobs. For example, a dog with Australian Cattle Dog in their ancestry is likely to be a high-energy pup that needs to keep busy and requires a lot of mental and physical stimulation. Understanding those innate requirements will help inform how much exercise they need, what toys they are most likely to enjoy, and what environment and lifestyle they’ll be most at home in. 

Additionally, some breeds are more likely to have certain health conditions. Dogs with deep, narrow chests—like Irish Setters or Great Danes—may be more prone to a condition called bloat (also known as "twisted stomach,” GDV, or gastric dilatation and volvulus). If you knew your dog was an at-risk breed, there are steps you could take to reduce the likelihood of bloat occurring, such as using special bowls to slow down the dog’s eating, preventative surgery at neutering, or limiting exercise around mealtime. 

And speaking of meals, nutrition also comes into play. Breeds like the Labrador Retriever and Scottish Terrier are often predisposed to allergic skin conditions. Adjusting their diet to limit common food allergens or increasing healthy oils such as fish oil, with your veterinarian’s guidance, may improve their overall skin health. Or, knowing that you have a large breed dog that’s prone to hip dysplasia, you might consult with your veterinarian on the best diet for weight control.

Of course, in order for any of these tidbits to be helpful, you have to actually know your dog’s breed. Which brings up the question, can mixed-breed dogs be accurately identified? Your veterinarian (or the shelter staff, if you adopted) may offer ideas about your pup’s ancestry. But when judging by visual cues alone, even experts misidentify a dog’s breed about 75% of the time.

So, in this post, you’ll learn four options—some more accurate than others—for figuring out what breed your dog is.