Looks like a girl.

I like Pia-sama’s and Shark-Sheep’s versions of human spike better

@Background Pony  
Oh, by far, being a dog is not perfect, but I don’t think there is really any easy alternatives that would otherwise detract from this being Twilight’s story. Spike was needed but far from being of the Mane 6 or Sunset.

@Masem  
@Background Pony  
Your fingers must be tired by now. I know mine would be.  
If I had any. ;)

@Masem  
Don’t forget that the CMC are in highschool too in this universe (I assume that here they are freshmen), so spike could be their age here. Plus, him being human wouldn’t really cause any weird relationship questions. It’s already been established that he’s just meant to be kinda like a guide to her, when she needs it. He’s her pal, he’s her family, he’s her assistant. Making him a dog, wouldn’t make it anymore obvious than it already is.
 
I admit, it is funny that they make it “puppy love” but it’s still creepy seeing a dog falling for a human. I find it odd that they kinda make it look like bestiality , when in reality, he isn’t really a pet, and is an equal.

@Dylanius  
I would argue that making Spike a dog actually worked, for the purpose he served: he needed to be there to have someone Twilight to introspect on on being a human and to help her adjust, and effectively hold the smart ball until the second half. Sure, as a human he’d have less trouble adjusting (since as a dragon he already walks upright), but then you have to consider what his age would be; either he’d be young, CMC-aged, and that would be weird to have a boy hanging around with a teenaged girl like that (considering Hasbro’s target audience here), or you’d have him Twilight’s age, and suddenly Flash Sentry isn’t necessary and/or everyone would go thinking he’s her boyfriend already. Keeping him a dog allows him to be with her for all the major scenes to help inner dialog but without raising any weird relationship questions.
 
Plus, of course, the translation of Sparity to puppy love pretty much was on spot, as well as human!Fluttershy’s first scene.

Sadly, we get:  

@Princess♠Molestia  
Yeah. The dog is definitely a better look than this.

Hah! Looks like some of the guys I met in Deep Ellum in Dallas. Just needs a rainbow necklace and he’s set. ;)

I note that those translating characters, that clothes colors don’t have to follow exactly, either. I know the mane 6 all have this, but look to the CMC and other characters.
 
Here, while the green stripe undershirt is pretty much necessarily, the jacket + shorts didn’t have to be green. Maybe a blue w/ green piping-like striping (to mimic tailspikes) for the jacket.
 
And yes, the shoes. Perhaps cargo shorts here too.

@Itsthinking  
That’s what I was thinking too!

He’s wearing boots like the female characters wear. Most of the male characters wear normal shoes.

Almost could pass for an AUEqG!Barb.

Also, picture is good. The design just creeps me out a bit for some reason.

And now I’m glad he became a dog.

Tad too girly.