When she was a puppy, it was pretty clear that she had a drop or two of bully in her:
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| Welcome Home, Sluggo! |
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| Je suis un chien petite. No, really. And delicate, too. |
Ah, those ears. Her ears are just too funny. They started on top of her head, but only fell halfway. And that's where they've stayed.
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| This has to be my absolute fave pic of Charlie as a puppy. |
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| All the better to hear you with! |
But, however you cut it, she's still a gorgeous, playful girl!
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| Yeah, if "playful" means stealing all the toys. |
Who is happily eaten greatly admired by her siblings.
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| Hmmm... Lucy is noticeably absent from this picture... |
But, you're probably on the edge of your seat. WHAT IS SHE? What did the DNA test reveal? Everyone agreed that she looked like she had some Shiba Inu in her. Her coat is a little thick, like a Shiba's, she's just a tad aloof, like a Shiba. So we went with it. For 7 1/2 years, we've described Charlie as a Shiba Inu/Pit Bull mix.
Not. I'm gonna have to change her Blogger profile...
The test revealed - drumroll please! - that Charlie has Akita on one side of her family and Akita/Staffordshire Bull Terrier on the other! After Oliver's DNA fiasco with his first and then second tests (talk about your Heinz 57s!), I was really pleased with how clear-cut Charlie's results were. Both the identifications of Akita and Staffy in Charlie were slam-dunks and make up about 75% of her DNA.
The lesser breeds detected, accounting for the remainder of her DNA, include - get this... - American Foxhound, Otterhound, Kerry Blue Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, and Boston Terrier. Far from the screwy mix that was found in Oliver's test! Sorry - testsssssss!
So, my little Shiba Inu has morphed into a big Akita. Still a Spitz breed, so I'm very happy. Best of all, she's still Charlie - my pooch, my love. Nothing will change that!
