01
Size & build
Toy, small, medium, large, or giant — and whether it’s stocky, athletic, or slight. Narrows the group fast.
Practical guide
What breed is my dog?
Most dogs aren’t purebred — but you can narrow down the breeds in the mix from four clues: size, coat, ears, and head shape. Here’s how, plus a way to get the answer from a single photo.
Scan my dog
Free on iOS · Breed + mix from one photo
What to look for
Start with these four clues
Breed shows up in the body before the papers do. Check these first.
02
Coat & color
Short vs long, curly vs straight, single vs double coat, and color/markings are strong breed signals.
03
Ears & tail
Erect, folded, or droopy ears; curled, docked, or feathered tail. Often breed-defining.
04
Head & face
Muzzle length, skull shape, and jaw (e.g. flat-faced brachycephalic vs long-nosed) point to the group.
Step by step
How to identify your dog’s breed
- 01
Gauge size and build
Estimate adult weight and body type — this alone rules out most of the 350+ breeds.
- 02
Read the coat
Length, texture, shedding, and color/markings narrow the field considerably.
- 03
Check ears and tail
Ear carriage and tail shape are among the most breed-specific visual traits.
- 04
Look at the head
Muzzle and skull shape separate similar-sized breeds from one another.
- 05
Confirm with a photo scan
Dog Identifier names the likely breed or mix from a photo, with a confidence score and care tips.
Try the app
Skip the guesswork
Dog Identifier names your dog’s breed — or the mix of breeds — from a single photo, with temperament, size, and care guidance for each.
Direct answers
Common questions
How can I tell what breed my dog is?
Check size and build, coat and color, ear and tail shape, and head/muzzle shape — these four narrow most dogs to a breed group. For a mixed-breed dog, the most accurate answer comes from a photo scan or a DNA test. Dog Identifier estimates the likely breed or mix from a photo.
Can an app tell what breed my dog is?
Yes. Dog Identifier uses AI vision to estimate breed from a photo, including the likely mix for non-purebred dogs, plus a confidence score. For legal/registration purposes a DNA test is definitive, but an app is instant and free.
Can a vet tell what breed my dog is?
A vet can make an educated guess from physical traits, but even vets can’t reliably identify a mixed-breed dog by sight — studies show visual breed ID is often wrong for mixes. A DNA test or AI estimate gives a more structured answer.
What if my dog is a mixed breed?
Most dogs are. Look for the dominant traits (size, coat, ears) that point to the main breeds in the mix. Dog Identifier returns a likely breakdown of the breeds it detects rather than forcing a single answer.