When it comes to hair styles, people of a “certain age” will know immediately what a “D.A.” (or duck’s ass”) is. For everyone younger, a “DA” (also called a “duck tail”) was a man’s hair style popular in the 50s in which hair was swept back at the sides to form a ridge or seam at the back. Most men needed a lot of pomade (hair grease) to hold the hair in place, and it was this practice that lead to the term, “greaser” (as in the movie, Grease).
A “widow’s peak” also has to do with hair, but in this case, the hairline dips into a V-shape near the center of the forehead. The expression comes from the belief that it was a sign of early widowhood, though the trait has also been considered a mark of beauty. We can certainly agree with that last part because some gorgeous breeds can have a widow’s peak, including a domino Afghan Hound and a grizzle Saluki. If your dog has one, share his or her picture below!
Image: Portrait of a Saluki Puppy by acornah
Find and support this artist’s work here: http://
Vinny just got his DNA test back and I’m still scratching my head to figure out where the widow’s peak came from. As far as the missing ear, his sister and he were found on the west side of San Antonio. She had a burn mark down her spine like a skunk stripe and he was missing an ear. He definitely was born with both ears. His breeds are listed as Australian cattle dog, Australian shepherd, Labrador retriever, Great Pyrenees, and Dalmatian.
Bless your heart for taking Vinny in, Robin, and giving him the affection he deserves. It doesn’t bear thinking about, the horrors this dog has known, and we’d like to think there’s a special ring of hell waiting for the person who made him suffer. As for his “Heinz 57” concoction of ancestry, it really is difficult to know who passed the Widows Peak along to him, but in Vinny’s case, perhaps it’s less of a Widows Peak, and more of a natural arrow pointing to a spot that could read, “Kiss me here.” Lots of pats to your kiddos, Robin.
This is our silly little boy Sherlock sporting his widow’s peak. We think he looks like he’s wearing a hoodie! We have no idea what kind of breeds are in his DNA; we just know he’s adorable!
That he is, Laura!
That is different sorry, your dog as a black and tan with RALY gene, making him a creeding tan, the red on the head will probably creep further down the head as he ages 🙂
Found the lemon out on a side walk one day and we’ve been bffs ever since. Don’t know what breed he is.. but in the end it doesn’t matter I LOVE HIM
That is quite a widow’s peak on your dog, lemon. We love all dogs, whatever their ancestry, and we appreciate the qualities that purebred dogs offer, as well. Your dog is lucky to have been found by you.
Oh my goodness Lemon looks quite a lot like our Winnie! We don’t know what she’s made of either but we surely adore her!
Do you know what kind of dog this is?!? Looks exactly like my girl hazel!
She’s a cutie, Hazel, but without really seeing her up close and personal, we have no idea.
OMG she looks just like our dog “Coyote”,
Shes a Black Mouth Cur
How did you get my Rio out of my yard without me knowing?? Lol
What kind of dog is this
A loveable mixed breed is our guess.
How did you get my Rio out of my yard without me knowing?!?! She sits like that too, but she knew a pose was expected for the pic.
Oh my gosh… Rio looks like my Cali.
I thought someone stole our Georgia! Literally twins, same floral collar and everything
Your Winnie looks like my Zoe!
My puppy looks just like this girl.
My dog Benny looks just like this! Haven’t done his dna yet.
Our Ellie Mae looks like lemon too!
We had Ellie Mae’s DNA test done. She is a 46 lb. Pit Bull and Doberman with 18% Chihuahua. The sable coloring and widows peak like come from her Chihuahua mix grandparent.
Through Embark DNA site We found Ellie’s mom who is 50% Doberman and looks so much like Ellie. We also found her brother, and a couple of other 1/2 siblings as well as 27 full blooded dobie relatives.
We are thrilled that Embark will be sponsoring a photo contest on May 1, and as you discovered, they are the “go-to” for leaning about a dog’s heritage. What a cool story!
Spooky! I thought this was my Luna for a second.
Your dog looks exactly like my dog. I adopted from the humane society. They said he was part Basenji but not sure what else? I think Chihuahua.
Looks like my Dexter. Just got his embark DNA results and he’s 100% American Pit Bull Terrier. Not what I expecting considering his widow’s peak.
Wow 100%! I wonder if your Dexter and my Ellie Mae are related.
Looks like my mixed breed, Abner!
My Betita is half Blue Pitt Half German Shep…we calle her Baby Dracula
Be careful, MJ, dogs tend to grow into their names!
Staffordshire Terrier/Labrador/Chow Chow
That’s a good one!
Lemon looks like my dog Hanna!!!
Australian Shepherd/Australian Cattle Dog/German Shepherd/Staffordshire Terrier/Great Pyrenees/Doberman mix!!
I’m not sure what mix this guy is, he’s a rusty/red color all of the way with the widows peak. He’s about 5 1/2. Months old now and almost 50lbs. Any ideas?
I raise mini and “tween” AKC dachshunds and this is one of my young studs. He is a black and cream carrying blue. His widows peak is very prominent.
OMG….some of these dogs looks just like ours. I need to do a DNA test to see how many breeds he is.
Now THAT’S a widow’s peak, thanks for sharing his photo, Joanne!
Looks a bit like our Larry Bear!
I was told mom is Cane Corso & Rottweiler and dad is Black Lab & Great Dane
Your pup looks like our Preston. We adopted him from a high kill shelter almost 2 years ago. No idea what breeds are in there and I’m planning to check his DNA. But he’s a super sweet 95 lbs, and thinks he’s a lapdog.
:)🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Nice one!
I adopted my sweet girl Mayah from a humane society on Oahu about 5 years ago. No idea what kind of breed she is, but she’s the most loyal and loving companion I’ve ever had!!
Found our baby during a tornado. I have always been curious as to what mixed breed she is.
She’s really sweet – and wow, that IS a widow’s peak she’s rocking!
I adopted my sweet girl 5 years ago from a humane society on Oahu. They had no idea what she is, but she’s the most loyal and loving dog I’ve ever owned.
This is my boy Ares. I’ve seen similar dogs but I have no idea what breed he is.