DNA Test Results
our little angel, sort of
Our little rescue girl Holly who came to live with us on December 27th, 2010 has had her DNA testing done. We were pleased and surprised to discover that she is a mix of four different breeds; Chihuahua, Border Collie, Irish Setter and Pomeranian.
Based on these results, we’ve done a bit of research on the breeds that make her who she is. She seems to posses many of the Chihuahua traits, such as loyalty and possessiveness however, we haven’t seen much of the Border Collie in her, she doesn’t fetch, but she is challenging, and has destroyed a few toys. Her Irish Setter qualities seemed to be hidden for now, aside from her sensitivity, but I do look forward her to developing some of their regality and grace. Lastly we do see some of her Pomeranian attributes with her confidence and bossiness.
Despite the research and the testing, I don’t know that there is an accurate label for this particular little dog. Her main characteristics seemed to be built from her environment and her beginnings. She’s been with us now for just over five months and she still seems to carry a lot of evidence from her time without a home, both her shelter time and her time on the streets.
Holly likes to forage for food when we are out walking and happily drinks from dirty puddles. She’s not fussy and will eat almost all of what is offered to her. She had a piece of banana on the weekend and wasn’t quite sure what to do with it but eventually decided that it was worth eating.
When she first came to live with us she would always choose to sit alone either on the couch or on the rug but in recent weeks I’ve noticed that this is the rarity as opposed to the norm. Now she looks for someone to sit with and only occasionally chooses to be on her own.
At night she sleeps on the bed and is fiercely protective of her HuDad. She has claimed him as her own and as soon as she hears his voice in the morning she wriggles with delight and rushes up to give him kisses.
Holly is playful and likes to pick up sticks and chew on stuffed toys. She’s demanding when it comes to receiving attention and can turn and nip for no apparent reason. Usually she’s kind enough to give a warning growl and show her teeth so that there is time to manage the situation safely.
We see her as a work in progress and hope that if we continue to give her lots of attention in a safe environment then eventually she will become more settled and lash out less often. This weekend’s trip to the beach made me feel like we are making great progress. She had no objection to wearing a lifejacket and rode in the boat without barking or shaking. Holly seemed to like running on the beach and did come back when called, at least most of the time.
She’s a cutie and a lucky girl!!
Awww! Keep at it, you have only started to melt the tip of the iceberg! Hholly is going to be a super dog once her kinks are straightened out!!!
Ahhh, the Pom! I should have seen it in the coloring but I was concentrating on the tail – course a Pom has a curved tail too. The Chi was a given. I think the Border Collie/Irish Setter are real long shots- right up with the Min Pin supposedly in my friend’s mastiff. But could be…wayyyyy back.
I would really love to know what is happening just before Holly starts to growl – I think its important you make note of that – like back up a few seconds and remember exactly what you were doing. Were you holding your hand or even your body in a certain way? Using a certain tone? Was something else going on – particular background noise? It’s a defensive reaction – for some reason, Holly is afraid something bad is going to happen and she lashes out before it does. My Arlo will still flinch if we go to pat him on the head; he prefers it if we pet him under his chin.
These adopted dogs can sure be a challenge but you have come so far with Holly in just a few short months! Hang in there! I do think that given Holly’s adoration for HuDad that it is very important that HuMom do some obedience work every day with Holly. Just a few Sit/Down/Stays to let her know that Holly is not #2 on the pack scale.
Hope this helps and again, you’re doing great work!