Question
When someone tells me they have got a pet dog, I am always interested in what kind, whether that means which breed, or what overall group (terrier, sheepdog), or what mixture if he is a mixture. But there is a danger of offending people, of conveying an impression of snobbery (with "What breed is he?"), perhaps with condescension (with "What breed is he? Or what mix, if he's a mix?").
What is a polite and respectful way to ask?
Answer
In my opinion, the easiest way to ask what kind of dog someone owns is to ask exactly that, ie:
'Oh, you have a dog? What kind?' (or 'What kind is he/she?' if you know the sex.)
If you ask what 'kind' of dog it is you're not seen to be asking specifically about breed, pedigree, or anything like that. That way the owner can just as easily say 'he's a pure-bred Irish Wolfhound. Cost me an arm and a leg and eats like a sumo wrestler, but I love him' as 'she's just a mix I got from the pound. I don't know what's in her, but I just had to have her!'
Answered By - s.anne.w