My new foster pup - Meggie (pics)

I'm fostering Meggie, an 8 mo old, 20 lb (but should be 25lb) Border Collie mix. We're not sure what other breed she is, but she's built and moves like an Italian Greyhound or Whippet.




When Sue from our rescue org brought her to us early this week, she was scared of her own shadow. Sue told us that the rural shelter where she was brought in thought she might be irreversibly feral, as she hadn't had much human contact, but Sue had a gut feeling that this pup had potential.

Monday night, Meggie acted like she'd never seen a staircase, and we had to carry her up and down stairs. She cowered in her crate, and would not eat. But by Tuesday night, she amazed us! She was tentatively cuddling up to us, giving us gentle kisses, playing with our other two dogs. This morning her Border Collie intelligence is apparent: she's learned "treat" and will usually come when we call her name, and she has not had an accident in the house - she will only "go" when we take her outside. She's house trained! She's also mastered running up and down the stairs.

She's still a little nervous and shy, especially with loud noises, but otherwise appears to be making up for lost puppy time. She's eating her puppy chow now, getting more confident and curious, but hates the the leash.

We're working on her newfound mouthiness, and her wanting to jump into bed with us - but we still think that progress from the cowering little creature we met Monday night.

Any ideas on her breed mix?

Look at those long legs (at least they look long in the first picture). She's going to make someone a nice addition to their family.

I have no idea on what other breeds she might be. I think your guesses are accurate.

I'm going to guess that she is border collie with some kind of hound in her - she's so lucky to have you as a foster mom!!

I wanna pet her!

The shape of her face and ears are what remind me of lab. Her coat and tail suggest BC. Her overall slim/race build - whippet.

but she sure is pretty!

My rescued BC was nearly catatonic when she first came into rescue, but once she felt secure, she really began to blossom. It is amazing what some of these dogs can overcome, given half a chance.

BCs and greyhound/whippet have folded ears

they aren't long enough for a hound mix :shrug:

i'm thinking a long legged spaniel of some kind...... maybe german shorthair?

or BC/mutt would work lol

what a sweetie, she'll come out of her shell even more I'm sure as wildeyed attests

Really makes you want to love away that scared, sad look in her eyes.

She's making up for lost puppyhood now, nibbling at fingers and chewing on Henry's toys.

She's also decided that food and the couch are so wonderful, she doesn't want to go outside in the cold where there are strange noises. We've had a couple of accidents, in the same place, so I think that it's workable.

She's now determined to sleep in the bed with us, which we want to discourage as alpha dogs.

That said, she is the sweetest thing!

We've noticed something else that may give us a clue to her breed mix - when she's really scared or stressed (when we gave her a bath, and Lucy tried to steal her rawhide chewy) the hair on her back stands up in a long ridge, like a swordfish fin, and she sheds dandruff.

Our last foster, a spaniel mix, did the same thing.

Other than that and the border collie and/or whippet, who knows?

It's always a best guess when you are listing the breeds of rescue dogs. We rarely get purebreds and we rarely know the parentage of the rescues. So you have to go on looks. We had a seventy pound foster we jokingly said was a St Bernhard/Jack Russell mix. Here he is:



He's been in our rescue since he was about 10 weeks old, has been through obedience training, and is a love. But we can't find a home for him. Go figure.

is the best medicine. open hand up, never down. extend to her and let her come to you and others. she will warm up. what a lovely dog

into bed with you part.

:rofl:

It was my Golden Retriever, Ben, who explained to me that Golden's do *not* sleep in the other room! Ever!

floor is also out of consideration. Our house has blankets, "cosy caves" and dog pillows on the floors in every room, just in case one finds the couch or chair unsuitable! This is Hanna claiming her favorite sleeping spot!

:rofl:

:hi: