Is this a new breed of dog?

Anthony Bond

FITTING into the palms of his owner's hands, he looks like any other cute little puppy.

But it is hoped that this little pup will become one of the world's best guard dogs and be used by the police and military - and it is thought he could be the first of his kind.

Daren Debenham, who owns Ipswich-based DK9 Security Services, believes he has created a new breed of dog.

The pup, which was born on Sunday evening, is bred from a Belgian Malinois and a Siberian Husky, which has been named by Mr Debenham as a Huskinois.

The 29-year-old said: “I believe it is the first dog of its kind that has lived this long and I do not have a clue what it will turn out like.

“People have been trying to breed the two dogs for years but for some reason they would not breed and the pups died.

“I have spoken to people in America and Canada and they thought I was lying, we have got people coming over from Canada to see this pup.

“It has doubled in size since it was born and it is only a few days old. I have never seen a pup grow so quick and change.”

It is hoped that though the correct training, the dog, which has not yet been named, could become one of the most sought-after guard dogs in the world.

“The Malinois is used in the security industry and the police and military but we wanted to get a Malinois which could run further and Huskies are good for agility and their stamina is fantastic.

“They have very muscular legs but the Malinois legs are very fine.

“We are just trying to make a Belgium Malinois which can run further and be bulkier.”

In the next few weeks, people from America and Canada will come to Suffolk to look at the new dog. Mr Debenham then plans to train the dog and, if all goes well, put it into a full breeding programme.

“Nobody knows how this dog will turn out,” said Mr Debenham. “We are hoping that it will become something spectacular.”