# Just got a puppy, Golden Mix breed? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 11, 2007, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736 "2007-09-11T02:08:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SoulSearching](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@SoulSearching](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulSearching)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/1 "2007-09-11T02:08:24Z")
Not sure if this belongs in GQ or here, but I figure since most replies would be opinions and guesses… I’ve just received a 5-6 week old puppy from a friend of a friend. It is a female golden retriever mix with \_\_\_\_. The mother is full 100% G.R., but I was never informed of the breed of the father. My puppy had 2 siblings, one was mostly all black and the other mostly all white. Mine however is light golden with distinctive white fur tips at the paws and toes as well as at the chest and tip of tail. She otherwise appears to be a golden retriever except these features and small paws for her size as noted by many passerbys. Any experts take a accurate guess at the father’s origins (for child support purposes 😃 )? It is especially important to me so I could more accurately monitor her size and growth. [Pic 1](http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6lQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3AxxqpD0-Wt0frj%3DQofrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQPQlxPG0xo0axv8uOc5xQQQJGQolGGQ0PqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXPnP%7CRup6aQQ%7C/of=50,360,480) [Pic 2](http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3AxxWtUq4P0-0frj%3DQofrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQPQlxPG0xo0axv8uOc5xQQQJGQolGGQJ0qpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXPne%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,480,360) [Pic 3](http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6lQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3AxxqpDJ-Wt0frj%3DQofrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQPQlxPG0xo0axv8uOc5xQQQJGQolGGQGeqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXPn0%7CRup6aQQ%7C/of=50,360,480) [Brown nose](http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6aQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3AxxWtUq4P0-0frj%3DQofrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQPQlxPG0xo0axv8uOc5xQQQJGQolaQQeeqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXPna%7CRup6lQQ%7C/of=50,480,360) [Notice her whiskers](http://render2.snapfish.com/render2/is=Yup6lQQ%7C%3Dup6RKKt%3AxxqpD0-Wt0frj%3DQofrj7t%3DzrRfDUX%3AeQaQxg%3Dr%3F87KR6xqpxQPQlxPG0xo0axv8uOc5xQQQJGQolaQQaoqpfVtB%3F*KUp7BHSHqqy7XH6gXPnP%7CRup6aQQ%7C/of=50,360,480) So perhaps her non-black nose and foot will provide some clues… ---
**Author:** ![tbdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@tbdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tbdi)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/2 "2007-09-11T02:15:26Z")
It may be easier to tell when she gets a little older and loses some of the puppy fat, has been de-wormed, etc. Is she weaned at 5-6 weeks? That seems like a week or two early. By the way, cute pup! ---
**Author:** ![IrreverentTone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@IrreverentTone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IrreverentTone)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/3 "2007-09-11T02:21:48Z")
Oh my gawd. Kiss that little puppy face for me. I have absolutely no idea what she might be other than adorable. ---
**Author:** ![lobstermobster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobstermobster/32/10033_2.png) [@lobstermobster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobstermobster)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/4 "2007-09-11T02:24:23Z")
I consider myself to be an expert. Its a cuteasaurus rex ---
**Author:** ![missbunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/76d3ee/32.png) [@missbunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missbunny)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/5 "2007-09-11T02:30:59Z")
Oh lord. Why do you torture me so. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/6 "2007-09-11T03:59:35Z")
Here is something called [The Wisdom Panel](http://www.whatsmydog.com/). It is a newly developed test that is designed to tell you what breeds are in mixed dogs. The test sample, which needs to be taken by a vet, is sent for analysis against 130 AKC recognized breeds. You get back a profile that tells you what is in your dog. I plan on doing this for my little buddy Goliath. However, since he was attacked by a dog last week, I think I spare him this needle for a while anyways. ---
**Author:** ![SomeUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e480ec/32.png) [@SomeUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SomeUserName)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/7 "2007-09-11T12:48:29Z")
[QUOTE=tbdi] It may be easier to tell when she gets a little older and loses some of the puppy fat, has been de-wormed, etc. Is she weaned at 5-6 weeks? That seems like a week or two early. By the way, cute pup! [/QUOTE] That is pretty early. Most pups stay with their mother until at least eight weeks with 12 weeks being even better. Puppies need socialization with their mother and their siblings to learn how to be dogs. I suggest you socialize that pup with other dogs and people as often as you can. Without the mother to teach him what is acceptable and what is not he is going to really need it. I would also suggest a good quality puppy food. Being taken away that early he needs more vitamins that he normally would get from his mother. Even though they may not nurse very often at that age and don’t get enough food to really sustain them they are still getting nutrients only the mother can provide. As far as breed I think it is way to early to tell. I can see the golden but not much else at this point. He is really cute 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/8 "2007-09-11T13:28:30Z")
While in college, I had a very similar dog. Mom was 1/2 golden, dad a spirit in the night. Same appearance down to the white paws, tail-tip, and belly, plus a line from his nose down his head. All his littermates were golden color. Bowser grew up looking pretty much like a golden. Maybe 80-90 pounds. Folks who owned goldens thought he was a golden. Congrats on the incredibly cute pup. ---
**Author:** ![ASAKMOTSD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@ASAKMOTSD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASAKMOTSD)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/9 "2007-09-11T13:32:58Z")
Our Max is a Golden-Brittany Spaniel mix. He looks like a slightly smaller GR, but has a red nose. He is the most friendly dog in the world, but still has his “I don’t know you / I don’t like you” bark that comes out now & then. I highly recommend Goldens! Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/10 "2007-09-11T14:15:12Z")
Too freakin cute! ---
**Author:** ![bbs2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e495f1/32.png) [@bbs2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbs2k)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/11 "2007-09-11T14:17:35Z")
Don’t look at me, I’m just here for the pics. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/12 "2007-09-11T14:29:19Z")
I’m going to link to your pictures if in case I ever need a cite to prove that Golden Retriever-type puppies are the cutest l’il doggies on Og’s green earth. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/13 "2007-09-11T14:59:55Z")
That puppy is squeearrific! 😃 This has brightened my day! Forgot to add - I don’t have a clue as to what it could be. ---
**Author:** ![nonacetone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonacetone/32/2819_2.png) [@nonacetone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nonacetone)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/14 "2007-09-11T15:13:07Z")
It doesn’t matter what she is. She’s beautiful! ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/15 "2007-09-11T16:29:25Z")
Puppy!!! 😃 (No clue what other breed you have there.) ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/16 "2007-09-11T16:38:09Z")
[QUOTE=adam yax] Here is something called [The Wisdom Panel](http://www.whatsmydog.com/). It is a newly developed test that is designed to tell you what breeds are in mixed dogs. The test sample, which needs to be taken by a vet, is sent for analysis against 130 AKC recognized breeds. You get back a profile that tells you what is in your dog. I plan on doing this for my little buddy Goliath. However, since he was attacked by a dog last week, I think I spare him this needle for a while anyways. [/QUOTE] Keep in mind that a “mixed breed dog” is typically not the offspring of two pure bred animals. The puppy in the picture can be the result of many different mixes. And DNA analysis as a means of determining what breeds are present in a dog’s lineage is (today) about as accurate as a mood ring. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/17 "2007-09-11T16:43:59Z")
My guess would be the other dog was a Heinz 57. The Golden half should dominate his appearance and temperment. He’ll probably end up looking like a Golden with a little extra volume in the undercoat. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/18 "2007-09-11T17:43:47Z")
She is one incredibly cute puppy. Name? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/19 "2007-09-11T18:46:28Z")
_melt_ I know exactly what people are talking about when they get all mushy when they see a human baby and think “Let’s have another.” I have a beautiful 5-year-old golden and all pictures and videos of golden pups make me want to run out and get 12 more. Anyhoo…if the littermates were black and white I’d say that this little one is part golden and part yellow lab. Yellow labs can be very very white. It doesn’t matter, tho. She is all CUTE 🙂 Oh, also, I’ve seen plenty of full-bred goldens with pink noses. Dolly’s nose is pink in the winter (so she can, yaknow, hide in the snow) and black in the summer but her friend Rex has a pink nose year-round. ---
**Author:** ![SoulSearching](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@SoulSearching](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SoulSearching)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2007, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736/20 "2007-09-12T15:11:22Z")
Her name is Ginger, she is definitely cute, but I as type this she just poop and then ate her poop, shortly after puked up all the poop on my carpet. I thought dogs were instinctively non-waste eaters? (And yes I feed her and exercise very well) Are golden retrievers suppose to have long whiskers at such a young age, even long whisker-like lases above the eyes? I’d really like to discover her exact mix, DNA analysis appears expensive especially if not at least reasonably reliable. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/just-got-a-puppy-golden-mix-breed/418736.md?page=2)