Possible characteristics of this foster mutt, a Boston Terrier, Aust. Cattle Dog, Blue Heeler mix?
ByA friend is seriously considering adopting this dog but has not yet made the trip to meet her.
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13839871?rvp=1
She is a cat person with 2 adult felines looking for a small-medium (not toy) dog that will do well inside with her cats.
There are two dog parks and a beach nearby for exercise and she would take the dog to one daily in addition to walks but she does not want an “athletic” dog.
She wants an intelligent dog but not one who needs tremendous mental stimulation to keep from becoming frustrated. The one Australian Cattle Dog have I met was the sort who did need this “busyness” so I wonder about this part of the mix.
And she wants a dog not prone to major health issues.
The dog needs to be easily groomed and must like people.
The dog she is interested in mostly seems like a good match.
Any input from serious dog people would be much appreciated.
3 Comments
March 21st, 2010 at 4:19 am
No idea, the dog could have some of one and none from another as it is a mutt. Although, if your friend is after specific traits in a dog, why wouldn’t she just research a breed to fit her and buy from a breeder?
March 21st, 2010 at 4:36 am
Its wonderful that you are adopting **Congrats to you
OK you can’t possible predict the exact traits of some random mutt. They aren’t bred to a special standard so its impossible to determine anything exactly. The best place to get that sort of information from is to contact the shelter or foster/caretaker.
What you can do is look up each of the dogs purebred counter parts or the mixes that form her to get a general idea.
From what I already know, all the mixes that contribute to this dog are dogs that don’t require much grooming and are low shedders, cattle dogs are extremely Intelligent so that plays a role in her intellect as well. Whether she is prone to many heath issues are not, can be determine by a vet, who can do a genetics health test.
To me the dog seems to be the perfect match to all of the examples you have listed above.
March 21st, 2010 at 4:59 am
Well, this dog is obviously in a foster home, and the foster parent would be the best resource for questions about the dog’s activity level.
However, the reference to timidity is very strong, and I interpret it to mean that this dog is NOT good with strangers. So if your friend is looking for a dog who is social, this one would not be the one, unless she wants to do some serious and consistent rehabilitation, which doesn’t seem to be happening in the foster home.
In addition, although you can never tell what a mutt is going to be like, both the breeds listed are very high energy, so I doubt this will be a calm dog who can be left to her own devices much of the time.