Bloodline Bingo

Ok, I realize how relatively pointless it is to try to figure out Kirby's vast and varied lineage, but for some silly reason I think it's rather fun. And I guess there are some practical applications, such as the ability to look for genetic traits that may manifest themselves at some point in his life. Personality-wise, I've already determined he's a terrier...but "earth dog" doesn't narrow it down very much. So occasionally I'll peruse the Internet looking for a picture of a dog that looks like Kirby in some way and I'll read about it, just to see if anything sounds familiar.


For review, here's what we know: Mom was a medium-sized German Shepherd mix. The shelter says they think dad was a "terrier-dachsund mix of some sort." Whatever he was, he was short compared to Mom.

Here are a few interesting possibilities, along with Kirby's photo for comparison:

Jack Russell Terrier (Irish Jack): While his coloring isn't common for a Jack Russell, this face is the closest I've seen...and that expression... I wouldn't have thought Jack Russell immediately, but when we stopped at a gas station during the recent holiday trip, a man and his two daughters stopped to say hello to Kirby. They asked what he was. I said "terrier mix of some sort." The man responded emphatically: "That's a Jack Russell, I can see it." I had always thought of Jack Russells looking like Eddie on Frasier, but apparently there are some variations that don't make it into the dog shows...

Schnoxie: I found a picture of a schnoxie (dachsund/schnauzer) online and it looked almost exactly like Kirby, except it had one blue eye. Adorable. Now if only I could find it again... He could pass for a schnoxie, no problem.

Schnauzer: Yep, the coloring's right, the size is a bit small and the coat's a bit different, but cross it with a smooth-coated dachsund and you might get a Kirby...

Wirehaired Dachsund: He actually looked more like one of these as a younger puppy than he does now. His legs have grown some, so he doesn't have that dachsund proportion anymore. But he's definitely longer than he is tall, and that moustache...






German Shepherd: One would never guess this is pretty much the only breed we're pretty sure about in Kirby's parentage. The pointy ears (although floppy) and the coloring are there, but the size and shape, well, I think Kirby at six months is about the size of a 10-week-old German Shepherd.

The mystery continues...