Different than said breed?

AMILEY1 · 03-14-2010

My partner and I recently adopted our second "mini eskimo." Her name is Kai, she is 6 months old and we adopted her when she was 2 months. We have a two year old eskie (Na'ea) who we also adopted when she was 2 months as well. Na'ea is a very, very, very beautiful eskie, and is very intelligent.

I know they said that we shouldn't compare the second to the first, but it is so hard not to. Like I said, Na'ea is a very intelligent eskie. She knew how to do all of her "tricks" at three months old - sit, stay, lay, roll over, fetch, give fives and tens, and can beg. Kai, being 6 months old can barely sit or lay down on command, although we work with her all the time. Na'ea was completely potty trained at four months, Kai still has accidents. She is getting much better, but with all the work we do with her, I don't understand why she hasn't gotten the routine down. At first we thought she was deaf and blind because she hardly listens and will walk into a wall that is right in front of her - I think it is just selective now - her vet even said she was fine. Maybe she could just be a dumb dog?

When it comes to physical appearance, Kai is a much "bigger" dog. Her bones are very thick, her snout is much longer, eyes bigger and closer together, and her fur is much thicker than what Na's ever was. They are both the same height, and there is only a two pound difference between the two. Kai downs her food and can't seem to get enough water. We control her consumptions, but she just acts like she is starving. I'd say she has a healthy digestive system as she poos every time she goes outside.

We rescued Kai from a puppy mill - but she came with CKC papers. Parents were not on site - she was bred on an Amish farm. Na's parents were on site, she also came with papers.

I really feel that Kai is a different breed of very close relation, or mixed with something else.
Can anyone help me with this? I'm really just trying to figure her out...

cigwyllt · 03-14-2010

When you say "rescued" I'm guessing you mean you bought her from there? Although you may be changing the life for the dog you bring home by buying from a place like that you are simply endorsing their business and encouraging them to carry on. If you didn't see the mother and the rest of the litter she could be just about anything. That is the risk you take when you do not buy from a good quality breeder. A good breeder will produce consistent puppies and you will be able to see the mother and maybe the father as well. Without that who knows what your pup could be!

OrangeDog · 03-14-2010

Photos of the dog... or better yet both dogs would be needed for me to tell you anything. If you can upload some then I am happy to give my input

AMILEY1 · 03-14-2010

Attached is a photo of our family. Kai is on the left, Na'ea on the right. Na'ea 1.5 years, Kai 3 months.

Lara's mom · 03-15-2010

Unfortunately, when you deal with puppy mills, you never really know what you're getting. Also, every puppy that is bought from one of these hell holes condemns a mother to be bred yet again. You are not doing the dogs a favour by supporting these "businesses." Be thankful your dogs don't have all kinds of medical and behavioral issues.

cigwyllt · 03-15-2010

You ask whether she "may just be" a dumb dog - if you have truly rescued her then her intelligence/mental issues are something you will surely be happy to work with and they are accepted as a consequence of taking on a dog from a bad background for its own sake and not because you want another perfect puppy. If the dog's mental condition is important then get a dog from a responsible breeder. As it is you have a puppy who may, nor may not, be the breed you were looking for who may or may not have serious and long lasting damage from it's puppy mill background.

If as you say she is a rescue dog then you must accept her issues as a consequence of the poor nutrition and circumstances in which she was bred. When you say she is registered with CKC is that the Continental Kennel Club? That seems to be nothing more than a scam - just requiring two witnesses to say that the dog meets the breed standard. Obviously you thought she did when you bought her so mistakes can easily be made.

OrangeDog · 03-15-2010

your little one does look like a pure eskie but the other one is questionable for sure. As long as the dog is healthy, happy and spayed then the breed/mix should not matter.

Yogi · 03-15-2010

Another thing to consider is the pedigree. Many dogs of purebred breeding may not look exactly correct if comparing to another. Sires and dams have much to do with a dogs appearance. Putting the correct 2 together to produce breed standard pups is important. When this is not done, you get loose variations of the breed. This does not mean they are not purebred just may not have been properly bred. Some may be too tall, others too short. Some may have larger head some smaller. Something to think about.

Todd · 03-15-2010

I agree. Unless you plan to breed them or show them it really doesn't matter if they are pure or not.

As far as one being a "dumb dog", just like people there are dog who are smarter than others. There are people in high school who have a GPA of a 4.5 while others have a GPA of a 0.5. I'm not saying that intelligance is genetically predetermined, however just like people dogs can be born with learning difficulties. Think of a child who is dislexic for instance. It's obviously going to take that child quite a bit more teaching and patients to learn to read and write. This by no stretch of the imagination means the dog it "dumb", it merely means it must face more road-blocks along the way to succession. Just continue to work with the dog and be sure to remail patient. She will just need more work and patience than the other dog. Good luck!

AMILEY1 · 03-15-2010

I know puppy mills are bad. I wasn't looking to get a lecture when I posted the thread. I didn't know that's what we were getting in to when we went to go look at her. I didn't have any intentions of ever purchasing a dog from a mill, but we needed to save her from what she was living in. If I would have known there was going to be over 300 dogs in a city residence I would have never went. Since it was a resident address and in the middle of a city I never thought I would have ran into the situation we did. We rushed her to the vet - she had only been in the residence for 2 days - came from a farm before that. I filed a complaint against the person running the mill about living conditions for the animals - he has had plenty more complaints against him - and one month ago he was shut down.

Just simply trying to trying to figure out if she could be bred with something else. It's not like I am going to get rid of her if she isn't a pure eskie - just would make me feel better if I knew she is truly what her papers say. We love her to death - that can't be taken away.

Todd · 03-15-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMILEY1

I know puppy mills are bad. I wasn't looking to get a lecture when I posted the thread. I didn't know that's what we were getting in to when we went to go look at her. I didn't have any intentions of ever purchasing a dog from a mill, but we needed to save her from what she was living in. If I would have known there was going to be over 300 dogs in a city residence I would have never went. Since it was a resident address and in the middle of a city I never thought I would have ran into the situation we did. We rushed her to the vet - she had only been in the residence for 2 days - came from a farm before that. I filed a complaint against the person running the mill about living conditions for the animals - he has had plenty more complaints against him - and one month ago he was shut down.

Just simply trying to trying to figure out if she could be bred with something else. It's not like I am going to get rid of her if she isn't a pure eskie - just would make me feel better if I knew she is truly what her papers say. We love her to death - that can't be taken away.

The only real way to find out is to have a DNA test done. You can get kits online. They aren't always 100% accurate though.

cigwyllt · 03-16-2010

I'm sorry - sometimes it isn't possible to understand the tone of a post. There are a lot of people who would NOT love their pup unconditionally if they found it was not the breed they had been expecting. Going back to what Yogi said, she could simply be a poor example of her breed - without seeing her parents you just don't know - and she may be a cross. I think you have to give her another three months or so to have a better idea of her adult size.

What is the CKC that she is registered with? From what I have read online there's more than one CKC that deals with registering dogs and not all of them are worth the paper they are written on so far as guaranteeing a dog's breed is concerned.

As for her appearing less intelligent than your other dog - that could easily be because of her poor background and nothing to do with the fact that she is not pure bred.

Yogi · 03-16-2010

The CKC that is actually reputable is the Canadian Kennel Club. Like the AKC, it has complete pedigree on the dogs and pups. The other CKC is the Continental Kennel Club. In that one you can actually get a form from them for you dog, have a vet and breeder sign it stating your dog is purebred and they will record it as such. At least that is the way it used to be. So basically no pedigree to verify if in fact it is purebred or not only the the signed verification based on physical appearance. In that case I have some Pin Pap mixes that would easily pass as purebred Miniature Pinschers even though I know they are not.

Lara's mom · 03-22-2010

Good breeding doesn't guarantee intelligence. My Lance has an impressive pedigree. However, if he ever figures out the difference between a stuffed sheep and a female Jack, I will be gobsmacked!!!

Todd · 03-22-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

Good breeding doesn't guarantee intelligence. My Lance has an impressive pedigree. However, if he ever figures out the difference between a stuffed sheep and a female Jack, I will be gobsmacked!!!

same with my Lucky, although she's a mix not a pure breed or anything. She doesn't know the difference between a male dog and my pillow and she's, well...she's a...she!

(I know it's just a dominance thing lol)

Lara's mom · 03-22-2010

I don't know what it is but, my breeder has big hopes placed on Lance.

Yogi · 03-23-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lara's mom

I don't know what it is but, my breeder has big hopes placed on Lance.

Don't worry, there are many late bloomers...

Lara's mom · 03-23-2010

From your lips to the Goddess's ears...

Yogi · 03-23-2010

I have seen ugly looking pups with no clue about anything at all mature into some of the most beautiful and most intelligent dogs you could ever imagine.
Unfortunately, there is no accounting for intelligence ratio's when it comes to puppies, simply put in most cases they have the attention span of a gnat and simply are cute based on the premise that the definition of cute ugly but bearable.
A face only a mother could love and she kicked him out when he was 12 weeks....