If Timmy from 'The Famous 5' had a DNA test

[SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter]

what breeds would come up do you think? He's described as being a 'far from perfect' mongrel. In appearance:

1. He has a big head
2. He has a very long plumed tail
3. His ears are 'too pricked' but he can 'cock' them, they're silky, and the children can fondle them, so I picture them as 'up-and-tipped' rather than fully pricked
4. He has a long thick coat
5. He's a large dog capable to taking down 2 burly male assailants at once. It takes 3 or 4 of the children (teens!) to drag him away from something he's determined to get to, or to move him when he's drugged.

Personality wise:

1. He's very loyal and friendly to those he trusts, enjoying a very tight bond with his key handler.
2. He can be extremely aggressive with strangers and can inflict serious wounds 'He'll have your leg off!' rather than merely nipping.
3. He has a pretty high prey drive - always after rabbits, and known to kill rats
4. He can be very reactive with other dogs including extreme aggression (shaking by the neck and trying to bite the ears off) those he takes against
5. He seems comfortable swimming/around water though not particularly obsessed with it
6. He will retrieve things carefully without damaging them, and even food without eating it
7. He has a good appetite and will sometimes steal food when he can get away with it, but he's not rapacious
8. He's extremely intelligent - seemly understanding almost anything said to him
9. He's (on the whole) very biddable and obeys most commands instantly
10. He has very protective instincts. putting the security of the children before his own comfort
11. He has a great sense of direction/sense of where 'home' is or 'his people' are
12. He has great emotional intelligence and gets anxious when people are upset, or displeased with him

Going off these clues, what do we think?

I always picture him as a small deerhound mix.

Before the 70s tv version I had heinz 57 mix in my head, then border collie cross after the late 70s..its only now, knowing some husky mixes and akita mixes, they are in my head.

He had a particular fondness for a poodle, Sally. Aside from her I’d say he actively disliked other dogs - competition perhaps. I know nothing about dogs so not sure where that fits. Oh and his ability to sleep with one ear open.

It’s called being ‘Lurchered’ when they bowl you over like that.

We had a Lurcher with a similar breed mix, but with some Saluki thrown in as well. His coat favoured the Deerhound, so scruffy, but had the most beautiful silky ears. He was so biddable, but also quietly protective of our family (eg would calmly put himself between us and anything/one he felt was a potential threat). He made it to almost 18 years old and was the best boy ever, we miss him so much. He was definitely a contender for the type of dog Timmy may have been.

I’m so delighted you did the though 😂

Always saw Timmy as a collie

I think he has Afghan in there somewhere!

I always imagined him with five legs too

this is a hot topic in our house. I see him like just as @ThePure has posted.

This is the dog AI has generated for me on the description. 😵

Yes that’s exactly how I imagine him.

Great thread btw.

I like to think he's a GSD/Collie cross as they're my 2 favourite breeds but also because of his intelligence, loyalty and his ability to turn aggression on or off depending on the situation.

ETA The latest AI image above is spot on. I want that dog now.🐶