Identify the puppy!

[Danté Vivi & Bella's Mom]

Hello All.

I trust the opinions and expertise of the Mastiff lovers on this forum. Admittedly, I have had little experience with Mastiffs as puppies with the exception of my love, the Cane Corso, of which I have had three!

What is your opinion? This puppy needs a home and I am trying to identify his breed. He is labeled by the shelter as "Mastiff Mix". I wonder if this perhaps is a Pit Bull mix? He doesn't look much like any mastiff that I have seen as a puppy, but that isn't saying much! What are your thoughts?

 

[Caleb]

I bet they called it a Mastiff mix because of its pronounced jaws and coloring. It's really hard to tell. I like trying to identify dogs but this one is hard. It depends on how big it gets. Mastiff pups usually have thicker skin and coat at this age...but could be.

 

[Danté Vivi & Bella's Mom]

Thanks for chiming in, Caleb. The more I look at this puppy, the more Presa Canario I see. Looking at the face and build, it's the breed that seems most likely to me. I could be totally wrong though. Like you said, it is a really tough call.

 

[Cody]

How old is he? I would say he has some kind of mastiff, don't know yet though...lol.

 

[Danté Vivi & Bella's Mom]

The shelter picked him up as a stray and no one has come forward yet, so his history is unknown. They have estimated his age at 3-4 months.

Sorry, all. It was never my intention to be a part of the all too familiar NAME THE MASTIFF game! I couldn't resist though. They are so difficult to call when they are young because molossers obviously have some many common characteristics.

Thank you!

 

[Abby&Fiona]

If already 3-4 months he looks kind of small to be mastiff.... but maybe part...

It's hard to guess as a pup. Cute though!

 

[Danté Vivi & Bella's Mom]

He certainly is cute. Puppies sometimes have less trouble getting adopted and that is always my wish for them all. If the shelter was not two hours away, I would be tempted to go get him, regardless of what he is. This is such a young puppy to be picked up as a stray and no one seems to be looking for him. Okay, getting frustrated with reality ...

 

[Caleb]

Thanks for chiming in, Caleb. The more I look at this puppy, the more Presa Canario I see. Looking at the face and build, it's the breed that seems most likely to me. I could be totally wrong though. Like you said, it is a really tough call.

I can see that! But, if I were a betting man, I would rule out Presa because they are so rare. I've only seen 2 in person in my life, and that's only because I tried really hard. I've heard of DNA tests that could tell what breeds are in there. I'm sure that others could chime in that know more about that. I'm sure it costs.

 

[Nasek718]

It looks like either a Jeep or Jocko bloodlines APBT. Body type at that age fits but Pits are all over the place when pups so who knows

 

[Cody]

I agree at 3-4 months is a little small.
The DNA tests have relatively few breeds listed, and I none of the rare breeds yet, but they could give you an idea and are relatively cheap.

 

[tyhatts]

I can see that! But, if I were a betting man, I would rule out Presa because they are so rare. I've only seen 2 in person in my life, and that's only because I tried really hard. I've heard of DNA tests that could tell what breeds are in there. I'm sure that others could chime in that know more about that. I'm sure it costs.

I wouldn't call them rare... I know of a couple breeders in my area ? But The pup forsure does NOT look like a Presa ... to my knowledge a least ?

Maybe an EM mix

 

[Marrowshard]

I agree probably not a Presa ... angle of the back's off and the leg/body length isn't right. He IS a cutie, but it's so hard to tell with pups. Another thing to keep in mind: even though the shelter may have good intentions, they might be calling it a "mastiff mix" to avoid the automatic stigma of a "pit mix" instead. It wouldn't be the first time, and as has been said he's a little smallish for a mastiff puppy. Something to consider, at any rate

~Marrow

 

[deltakosmo12]

DNA test are not completely accurate. I did one while my vet was on maternity leave and when she came back she told me I shouldn't have done it. I got boxer/vizsla x bluetick coonhound. Not sure about that, Henry is jet black with a few white patches and is thick with a big head? maybe partly right because when we adopted him the foster said mom was boxer/american bulldog