So how can you tell what your dog is if he is a mix? If you know what breeds he is a combination of, read the sections for those breeds.

If you are uncertain about his breeding or don’t see your dog’s breed listed, the Dog Key® app (at www.thedogkey.com) can determine which genetic breed group(s) your dog belongs to. There you can use the app test feature to discover what his combined physical features reveal about his heritage and the job in his DNA—even if he is a mixed breed. You can, of course, go a step further and have your dog’s DNA tested as well. This can provide a clearer map of the precise breeds in his ancestry (though some expert geneticists will tell you that the accuracy of most of these tests isn’t exactly remarkable).

As you read, you may be tempted to read only the subchapter for the group your dog belongs to. While this is a natural impulse, I’d like to encourage you to read through each subchapter because there are dozens of universally helpful insights and tips for living successfully with every kind of dog scattered throughout the pages. You never know which little hint you stumble upon will be the game-changer for your relationship with your dog! At the very least, be sure to read each chapter’s Key Concept section.

Whichever way you decide to proceed, the rest of this chapter will uncover and explain an unbelievable amount of critical, life-changing information about the powerful genetic influences underlying your dog’s motivations and behavior.

MEET YOUR . . .

Natural Dog

“WILD AT HEART”

Siberian Husky

Basenji

Akita • Alaskan Malamute • American Eskimo Dog • Basenji • Canaan Dog • Carolina Dog • Chow Chow • Dingo • Eurasier • Finnish Spitz • German Spitz • Japanese Spitz • Karelian Bear Dog • Keeshond • Laika Elkhound • New Guinea Singing Dog • Norwegian Elkhound • Samoyed • Shar-Pei • Shiba Inu • Siberian Husky • mixes of any of the above breeds

You’ll fall in love with your natural dog because she’s:

A FREE SPIRIT—You will revere her intuitive, instinctual, unchained wild nature.

INDEPENDENT—She is not clingy, demanding, obsessive, or needy.

LOGICAL—She has more common sense than many people you know.

You might find a natural dog hard to live with because she’s:

SUSPICIOUS—She has a strong sense of self-preservation, is discerning and cautious.

INSTINCTUAL—Her wilder impulses can range from inconvenient for you to quite serious.

SELF-PRESERVING—She can be difficult to train, confine, and handle as a “pet.”

You might find yourself seeking professional help for:

1. Predatory behavior toward other animals, especially smaller ones
2. Not coming when called
3. Wandering, running away
4. Difficulty when she’s confined to crates, rooms, yards, etc.
5. Intolerance of being handled and restrained—at home, at the vet, at the groomer’s, etc.
6. Wariness and defensiveness toward strangers
7. Destructive behavior in indoor environments
8. Difficulty following directions or responding to training

Family History