Banjucy Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Hi everyone We adopted Banjo from the Animal Welfare League in December 2009. They told us that he was a kelpie X, but they weren't sure what he was crossed with. We still don't know exactly what his true breed is, but after stumbling upon some photos of dutch shepherds, we think he may be a dutchie! Not sure if he would be pure dutchie or kelpie x dutchie though. I had NEVER heard of a dutch shepherd before the other day as I understand that they are still fairly rare in Australia, so I was wondering if someone could provide me with some information about their temperament and behavioural traits etc. We have observed Banjo to be very placid, very nervous, not interested in playing with balls etc, but he loves to try and herd our other dog Lucy when she is chasing her ball or frisbee. He is a fussy eater, he sings! Well, he makes a lot of nervous, high pitched whining noises when excited or scared. He honestly reminds me more of a lazy cat than a working dog - his favourite thing to do is to be patted and cuddle up with us on the couch. I guess I would just like some more information so I can be more informed about the way we should approach training, excercise, discipline, children (when we eventually have children) etc. Here are Lucy (also a rescue) and Banjo: If you think you might have a bit more insight into Banjo's background I would appreciate that also! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOE Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 There are some breeders around of Dutch Sheps so I am sure they will be along soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 How big is Banjo and how old? Dutch Shepherds are similar in size to a Belgian Shepherd, so quite a bit bigger than a Kelpie! If Banjo is only Kelpie size he could be something like a Kelpie X Staffy, as a Staffy could give the brindle colouring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 he looks like a gorgeous bitsa - I don't know much about Dutch Sheps, but wouldn't think there'd be too many crosses running around . I would also say kelpie X with staffy or another X . Both your dogs look very happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esky the husky Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Although there was that whole shenanigan with dutch shep x pups being sold in a pet store. I guess it's possible but I'm not familiar with the breed. Both your dogs are stunners! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Although there was that whole shenanigan with dutch shep x pups being sold in a pet store. Oh yes! I forgot about that Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paganman Posted February 19, 2011 Share Posted February 19, 2011 Although there was that whole shenanigan with dutch shep x pups being sold in a pet store.I guess it's possible but I'm not familiar with the breed. Both your dogs are stunners! Wasnt that in Victoria?And I think the cross was with a german shepherd.I think the ops dogs a kelpie cross but have a look at the dutch shepherd thread in dog breeds 101 theres a breeder called artur on there wholl be able to tell you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Jones Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 I highly doubt your dog has any Dutch Shepherd in it, it looks like a bitsa to me. We have observed Banjo to be very placid, very nervous, not interested in playing with balls etc There are only working line Dutch Shepherds in Australia and the temperament you describe is very far away from the actual temperament of these dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 banjucy have you read THIS THREAD? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 its just a bitsa ... if it had dutchy in it 1) I would be VERY surprised and 2) the temperament would be the complete opposite As for training join a school, he needs socialising and to be taught how to control his nerves and play with toys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 (edited) When you're looking to determine the breed or breed mix of a crossbred dog, unless you have a dead match to a breed standard then I'd alway start with the most common breeds around. Start with the most commonly BYB and impounded breeds. If you told me Banjo was a SBT/GSD/Kelpie mix or similar I'd believe you. Edited February 20, 2011 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banjucy Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 Thanks for the replies everyone. To be honest before we had heard about dutch shepherds we thought he was probably kelpie x either GSD or staffy due to the colouring. It wasn't until we saw pictures like the following that we though he might be a dutch shepherd: this http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=htt...tx=66&ty=43 http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=htt...t:429,r:8,s:139 But the comments that were made about his size are correct - he is smaller than Lucy which is more like kelpie size. As far as his behavioural traits go, I think that he does have a strong herding instinct which he shows when Lucy runs for her ball (he crouches where she will have to run and then spring at the last second or run towards her in a way which forces her to run away from us when she has the ball), but I think his behaviour may have been modified a bit by his early life. We adopted him when he was five months old and we do not know where he came from - the council brought him to the AWL (in SA). However, he knew some commands and was very friendly towards (some -women only) people, but was also very nervous of some behaviour in people and quite dominant with other dogs. We think he may have been mistreated in some way. Persephone - thankyou - I saw that thread yesterday but the comments on temperament were very general so I was wondering if other people had more information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 ..or you could also look at these images ;) It's often very difficult to isolate 2 separate breeds in a mixed breed dog ..and often there a re more than a couple of breeds involved, if both parents are themselves mixed breed he's lovely ,whatever ! LINK LINK LINK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Jones Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 (edited) I saw that thread yesterday but the comments on temperament were very general so I was wondering if other people had more information. I have described the temperament of the Dutch Shepherd before on forums only to have people interpret the description posted and say "oh, your Dutch Shepherd sounds exactly the same as my (insert some random breed of dogs name here). The Dutch Shepherds I have either handled or owned have been confident and out going. They are a breed of dog that requires regular physical and mental activity otherwise they can become destructive or develop behavioural problems like tail chasing / biting, I know Dutch Shepherds that have bitten off parts of there tail due to being left in a backyard or kennel for to long. They are an extremely intelligent and highly trainable breed of dog given the right handler and training regime. They are bred for high levels of prey and fight drive as well as having social dominance which makes them a poor breed of choice for inexperienced dog owners who are not willing to work them in any of the dog sports or personal protection areas. The Dutch Shepherd I have at the moment has caused serious injury to handlers within departments who were not experienced enough with the breed and handling truly dominant dogs. Edited February 22, 2011 by Jeff Jones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 nawww Jeff you know I'd take him in a heart beat *cootchy cootchy coo!* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 As far as his behavioural traits go, I think that he does have a strong herding instinct which he shows when Lucy runs for her ball (he crouches where she will have to run and then spring at the last second or run towards her in a way which forces her to run away from us when she has the ball), but I think his behaviour may have been modified a bit by his early life. We adopted him when he was five months old and we do not know where he came from - the council brought him to the AWL (in SA). However, he knew some commands and was very friendly towards (some -women only) people, but was also very nervous of some behaviour in people and quite dominant with other dogs. We think he may have been mistreated in some way. He just sounds like an undersocialised herding breed. Dogs dont have to be mistreated in order to exhibit shying or nervous behaviours at all. I've seen beaten dogs that are confident as heck, and extremely shy or frightened ones that have never had a hand raised to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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