Introducing Helix

Welcome to The Helix Report!

Helix joined our small family Saturday, December 19th. We had just begun our search for the perfect pooch which with our previous dog required 3 months of dedicated web scouring and repeated visitation of the many shelters in the East Bay. This time we took a slightly different approach and decided to focus on the Oakland Animal Shelter and also checked into rescues online. Previously we hadn't looked at many rescues because we were forewarned that rescues are very picky and prefer not to adopt to first-time dog owners or couples that both work. In one week we found two pups that we liked, passed the rescue scrutiny, met them both and brought home Helix.

Helix is a mix of many amazing breeds most of which we haven't quite identified but he shows significant features of terrier, shepherd (maybe dutch shepherd), whippet and possibly basenji (although none of us are convinced on the basenji genes). We're actually considering doing a DNA test just for fun to see what he may be.

He is best described as an orange and brown brindle, tiger-striped, medium terrier with some white on his chest, belly and feet and some crazy speckling like a chicken. He's a very sweet pooch, of medium energy, a goofy personality and loves belly rubs. He will actually head-dive and flop at your feet for a belly rub!


We're still getting to know each other but it's obvious that he's a smart one. He's very interested in smells and exploring and is a quick learner. He's just about mastered sit, down, shake, leave it and stay. He's also very into destroying his toys and ripping stuff which is normal since he's about 10-12 months.