What Kind of Dog is She? Who, Me?

Everyone has asked that ever since I became part of this family. The shelter said I was an Aussie mix. Maybe. Other humans had all kinds of suggestions, like: Siberian Husky, German Shepherd, a variety of sight-hound (I was really skinny at one point) or some type of shepherd or collie.

Here are some clues:

I need LOTS of exercise–a walk or two just doesn’t cut it.

I get hyper-active when I’m bored (remember, Dad said I have a hyper button?).

I’m smart (well, I think so, don’t you?) and learn things really fast.

I like to herd and do “little dog” or “the stare” when a new dog approaches.

I love people and every dog I meet.

I love to play games like ball and bringing it back and figuring out how to get it out of hard places.

Sometimes I have a mind of my own, but Mom says she’s BOSS!

I have black and tan markings.

I LOVE water.

All that sounds like lots of different dog breeds, but I DON’T look like a Border Collie, Australian Shepherd or an Australian Cattle Dog (Heeler).

Mom and Dad thought DNA testing would tell us, but there are lots of them out there–some better than others. And these tests don’t include all breeds.

Then, one day at the park, someone said “Sage looks a lot like Skye”. OK, I’ll bite–who’s Skye? Well, one day Skye came and what do you know, I did! Except Skye’s hair was shorter. What was Skye, you ask? An Australian Kelpie. Then, another day, I played with another dog that looked like Skye and me. Again, an Australian Kelpie.

So, Mom got on the Internet (I told you she loves it, didn’t I?) and researched Kelpies. And guess what? I look like a Black and Tan Kelpie! Look at the pictures in the links. My hair is longer than Skye’s or the other dog’s, but Mom saw some pictures of some Kelpies with longer hair. And you know all those clues I told you about above? Go down the list and say check, check, check, check, check ’til you get to the end–the loving water part. That’s a GIANT check!!!

I’m probably not all Kelpie. But, that doesn’t matter to me! I act like one. I look like one. I’m a Kelpie! I guess that’s an Aussie mix after all. Right?