Hi everyone,

I've had a few posts on this site; I came here when we started going through the process of finding and adopting a rescue dog.

Well, 2 and a half months later we now have our lovely dog! He is called Austin and he's a Staffy cross. They weren't sure what he was crossed with but I feel that it may be GSD judging by his looks. He's approximately 2 years old and was brought in as a stray.

He's good with basic commands but we need to train him with regards to recall. He has settled in well but is understandably a bit confused. I'm sure that with time, love and a bit more training he will be even more wonderful than he already is! :mrgreen:

Congratulations to your new edition! I'm sure you're correct, with a little time he'll setlle right in and make himself at home.

Here's a picture of him. What do you guys think with regards to his breed? He is definitely part staffy.

[DoggieVogue]

Congratulations on your new baby! He's a handsome boy!

Thanks! I do think he's rather dashing :mrgreen: but then I am biased!

hi Bow_wow , nice to meet you

[mickii]

hi and welcome to the forum.

[jnc_mcguire]

Congrats!! He is a pretty boy. Hi and welcome to the forum.

[wishbone]

He's a wonderful staffy and I'm not expert with breeds but his mouth and face shows a GSD for me, congratulations on your big baby!

He's a lovely boy, and I think your guess is on the button! Definitely both of your suggestions in there.
I love his expression, very intelligent, alert, and yet at the same time calm.
Much happiness to you all.

Thanks for your welcome messages everyone

The rescue home thought he might be crossed with an Akita but I can't see it myself. I would have loved to have seen him as a pup. I do wonder how old he was when he was turfed out onto the streets as a stray Not that it matters any more because he has a home now!

He is a very 'mouthy' dog; he likes to chew toys and carry toys about in his mouth. He has very strong jaws and teeth and he's ripped to toys up already (they weren't exactly sturdy toys anyway) and I am slightly concerned that if left alone he might transfer this skill to bedding or furniture! We shall see!

He is clever and responsive but he is still a bit restless at home which is completely understandable seen as he hasn't even been with us a week yet. If he is asleep or sat down, the minute any of us get up or move around the house he gets up too and follows us to see what we are up to.

I think that, being a rescue dog and prior to that a stray, he is not used to having people around him all the time giving him attention. He will drift off to sleep one minute, but then he jumps up, grabs a toy and wants to play. He tends to whine whilst doing it and he rushes about picking the toy up then dropping it again, like he doesn't quite know what to do with himself.

I'm sure he'll be calmer eventually once he gets more used to us and our house.

Congratulations and nice to meet you

I was walking him last week and a few seperate people we met on the walk asked if he was a Rhodesian Ridgeback cross, I don't see it myself, the colouring is all wrong for a start and I don't think any of his other features suggest ridgeback either.

What does everyone else think?

The more time I spend with him, the more convinced I am that he is part GSD.

[cloverbordercollie]

Austin,I think is the perfect name for him. He's looks great!

Thanks! He already had that name when we got him but we think it suits him so we kept it

someone yesterday asked if he was a pit bull crossed with a dingo....the mind boggles!

[chevy & karen]

Hi and welcome to the forum... Austin is gorgeous.....