From: saavik@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Marla Belzowski (K-9's))
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Re: And what, pray tell, do you think she is?
Date: 14 Apr 92 03:09:50 GMT
Organization: Purdue University

In article <15347@drutx.ATT.COM> mlhb@mammoth.dr.att.com (54626-BonhamM(DR2020)214) writes:
>My darling puppy, Mirin, has presumably turned 1 year old this month.  This is,
>of course, just a best guess by us and our vet when we rescued her.  (Long story,
>but she was malnourished and starving).  It has been the topic of some debate as
>to what she has in her, so I figured I'd go ahead and try the net.
>
>Now I realize you don't have a picture, but I can give you a description and a
>best guess by some people.

My best guess -- Siberian Huskie (mostly) mix.

Taking into account that malnourished dogs tend to be just a bit
smaller and leaner in general body size, but her ears may seem
larger because in general a puppy's head is larger than the
rest of it's body so a pup litereally "grows-into-it's head".
Thus, I would expect her ears and feet to maybe appear a bit
bigger in proportion to the rest of her body.  Other then that,
here's what the general discription for Siberian Huskies says
for each point:

>
>17 inches at the shoulder

Females: 20 - 22 inches at the shoulder (malnutrition and her
age may cause her to be a bit smaller here.)

>short hair, but double coat

The Siberian husky has a thick, woolly undercoat and a soft outer coat.
Tends to be short and thick.

>huge upright ears (remember Gizmo in Gremlins?)

Ears set high and erect.

>gorgeous blue eyes (not glassy, but rich blue with lavender)

It has brown or light-blues eyes set obliquely.
(Many Huskies I've known have gorgeous blue eyes -- almost saphire like.)

>curly tail

Wolflike, rolled on it's back.

>white with a red stripe down the back, reddish ears and red fur around eyes

All colors admissible, from wolf-grey to silver-grey; from light sand to black
with white markings.
(I've seen some very brilliant red one's also.  Most red ones have colored
ears and a thick stripe down the back all the way over the top of the
tail with a dark-red group of hairs at about 3 inches below the tail's
base.  It's just a small, very wirey looking group of guard hairs.)

>about 35 lbs

Females:  35 - 50 lbs (again her age and her back-ground may affect this).

>racing dog body -- lean and tucked

It is a medium-sized dog, robust, lively, pleasant, agile in movement.
Sociable, affectionate, good company, extremely stubborn, and easily bored.
Popular as a racing-sled dog because of it's speed and light weight.

>she barks

Huskies (well the few that I've know) do know how to bark.  They
just don't bark all that much.  They will also howl some.

>
>Some people have guessed Basenji; but I'm hesitant, because she barks.
>Secondly, I'd like to think she's got Siberian in her because of those blue eyes.
>She is also very bold and incredibily intelligent.  (I have 3 other dogs 50+ lbs
>and she will stand up to all of them; even my Alpha male who is 25 inches at
>shoulder and weighs 72+ lbs).
>
>Any suggestions?

Basenji's have very short, silky hair.  Their tails are quite short
but curled over their backs tightly (forming two rings that rest on 
the side of its back).  Basenji's have wrinkly skin on
their foreheads.  Height is 16 inches for females and 22 - 24 pounds.
It does not bark.

I'd guess a Husky. 

:)

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marla Belzowski    saavik@mentor.cc.purdue.edu
Mauii Nikki Belzowski CD CGC TDI CERF
Brittish Legend of Beowulf (1leg CD) CGC TDI CERF  tri-color collies
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs