Mystery Mutts - Today it's all about Frankie:)

We are joining the Magical Mystery Mutt Blog Hop being hosted by Will My Dog Hate Me?, Peggy's Pet Place, and I Still Want More Puppies.  Thanks guys:)

The idea is for people to guess what breeds are in your Magical Mutt.  If you want to join in the fun, details on how can be found at any of the hosts blogs:)

Now on to some details about Frankie -

He is nearly 3 years old and I've had him for a bit over 2 years.  He is approx 21" at the shoulder and weighs about 50 lbs (could stand to lose a couple of pounds!)  Colour is kind of a chocolate/red or red/chocolate:)  Eyes are golden.  His chest is very deep and broad and he's an all over powerful guy.  He has a lot of spare skin around his neck and shoulders.  His coat is single but quite coarse over his shoulders and on his back, shorter and finer elsewhere and in the winter it develops crinkles along his back!  But they go when he gets his Summer coat, weird huh?

Last Winter

Tail carriage depends on what he's doing, whether it's hanging down, straight out or curled up.  His ears vary too but mostly they're nicely tipped on top although sometimes they can look like this -

As to his nature, well, he's a character.  Very clever, stubborn, independent at times, affectionate, energetic but more able to chill out as he's maturing.  He likes people and most other dogs!  I'm very glad he's neutered, lol.  Occasionally we will come across a dog he doesn't think should be in 'his' park and he will jump on them and verbally abuse them which has caused me some embarrassment but it hasn't happened for quite a while (touch wood) He loves to go to new places and is a great explorer.  He is a good watchdog (but not a guard dog!) and will often have conversations with me but he isn't an annoying barker.

His favourite things to do are fetch sticks from the river

Play with his Greyhound buddies

He's there in the middle of his girls:)

and hunt!!  I don't have any photos of that.  But he's caught 6 possums at the park/river where we generally go every day.  His nose is always working (unless he's playing with his Greyhound girls!) as he catches up with the 'peemail' at the park.  He is totally anal about this when taking him on a walk around town on the lead!  So we don't do that very often.

In the hands of the right person he could excel at agility, tracking and rally O.  I don't think he's really cut out for obedience, lol.  Not enough fun for him.  But I think he's pretty happy to be living with me and just learning a few tricks and doing some rally and mostly having fun together.

I'm often asked what breed he is and I just say he's a pig dog from Taumaranui, which is where he was found wandering the streets.  It's a rural town and I expect there is a lot of pig hunting goes on in the area.  Really I have no idea what his make up is.  Like most muttley dog owners I'd love to know:)  So, what do you think he could be?