Summary
A dog owner who thought their rescue dog, Kea, was a mix of husky and Australian shepherd discovered through a DNA test that the dog had a different genetic background. The test showed Kea had ancestry from more than seven breeds, with American pit bull terrier being the most significant part. This highlights how shelters often make educated guesses about dog breeds based on appearance.
Key Facts
- The dog's name is Kea, and she was initially thought to be a husky-Australian shepherd mix.
- A DNA test showed Kea's largest breed percentage is American pit bull terrier at 24.9%.
- Other breeds in Kea's mix include Chow Chow, Rottweiler, Labrador retriever, German shepherd, and Doberman pinscher.
- "Supermutt" is a term used for dogs with very mixed ancestry that can't be accurately traced to one breed.
- Shelters often identify dog breeds based on visual characteristics due to a lack of background information.
- The Animal Humane Society states that most shelter dogs are mixed breeds.
- As dogs grow, their appearance can change, affecting breed identification.
- Breed labels give limited insight into a dog's identity, which also depends on training and environment.
