I believe that what you are thinking of is a mixed breed dog.
does it have a slick shiny coat like a pit bull? Or does it have a thick shaggy short coat like a German Shepherd?
Is it the size of a pit bull (35-50 lbs) or the size of a German Shepherd (55 to 85 lbs)?
Does it have a stocky muscular frame (like a pit bull) or a lean, athletic frame (like a German Shepherd)?
Does it have a blocky face (like a pit bull) or “dog shaped” face with a pointier muzzle (like German Shepherd)?
Is it mainly one solid color with markings (like a pit bull) or shaded/sabled (like a German Shepherd)?
Does it have small dropped or half-dropped ears (like a . . . ) or large pricked ears (like a . . .)?
You see what I’m getting at? The two breeds are very very different and hence saying something is “in between” them conveys little information to us.
Our Mal is more similar in coloring to your Dutch Shepherd - Malinois’ coloring car vary from quite light to quite dark. He’s also bonkers, like most Mals!
Most folks think he’s a small German Shepherd, and I can understand the confusion.
Anatolian Shepherd, maybe?
The Kangal Shepherd Dog (Turkish: Kangal Çoban Köpeği) is a traditional Turkish breed of large livestock guardian dog. The breed name derives from that of the town and district of Kangal in Sivas Province, the easternmost province of the Central Anatolia Region in central Turkey. The coat colour varies from pale fawn to wolf grey, always with a black mask.
It is a traditional flock guardian dog, kept with flocks of sheep to fend off wolves and other predators. Some have been exported to Afric...
Or the Kangal Dog, which is a relative -
They don’t have the German Shepherd face or the black saddle, but they’re big, strong, working dogs.
The Belgian Shepherd (also known as the Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Malinois, or the Chien de Berger Belge) is a breed of medium-sized herding dog from Belgium. While predominantly considered a single breed, it is bred in four distinct varieties based on coat type and colour; the long-haired black Groenendael, the rough-haired fawn Laekenois, the short-haired fawn Malinois, and the long-haired fawn Tervuren. In the United States, the American Kennel Club considers the four varieties to be separ...
And some of the Mastiffs have shepherd coloring, but they’re more like Rottweilers in the face. Here’s a bunch of different pictures of the different breeds.
A mastiff is a large and powerful type of dog. Mastiffs are among the largest dogs, and typically have a short coat, a long low-set tail and large feet; the skull is large and bulky, the muzzle broad and short (brachycephalic) and the ears drooping and pendant-shaped. European and Asian records dating back 3,000 years show dogs of the mastiff type. Mastiffs have historically been guard dogs, protecting homes and property, although throughout history they have been used as hunting d Historical and...
But really, you’re probably thinking of the Malinois
The Belgian Shepherd (also known as the Belgian Sheepdog, Belgian Malinois, or the Chien de Berger Belge) is a breed of medium-sized herding dog from Belgium. While predominantly considered a single breed, it is bred in four distinct varieties based on coat type and colour; the long-haired black Groenendael, the rough-haired fawn Laekenois, the short-haired fawn Malinois, and the long-haired fawn Tervuren. In the United States, the American Kennel Club considers the four varieties to be separ...
I appreciate all your assistance. It is a dog that I have seen over the years in select movies.
It looks anything like the chinook, the KAngal, and one other ones I have noticed.
Thank you for your help.
Next time you see the dog in a movie, make a note of which movie and then maybe we’ll have a better idea of what you’re trying to describe and can pinpoint the breed for you.
Wile_E
November 11, 2014, 6:22am
27
“Turner and Hooch” had a Dogue de Bordeaux and Tom Hanks - this sounds most like what you’re describing.
“K-9” had a German Shepherd and Jim Belushi
“Air Bud” was a Golden Retriever and then even more Golden Retrievers
“The Incredible Journey” had a Labrador Retriever and Bull Terrier, in the remake it was a Golden and an American Bulldog.
“Cats and Dogs” had a Beagle, Bloodhound, Doberman, Old English Sheepdog and an Anatolian Shepherd.
“Snow Dogs” had Huskies and a Border Collie and “Eight Below” had Huskies and Malamutes.
Rin Tin Tin is a German Shepherd, Lassie is a Collie, Marmaduke is a Great Dane, Marley is a Labrador and Beethoven is a St. Bernard.
Any of these ringing a bell?
Here’s a list of dog movies if you want to see if the dog is in there.
Is that the “fighting spirit” you’re thinking of, Harry? (Seriously, these are high-energy dogs, and frequently used for police and military work.)
