As a puppy, Zira found herself in an overcrowded shelter alongside her mother and siblings. Through no fault of their own, they were placed on the euthanasia list. A compassionate woman named Michaela Hyle learned of their dire situation and rushed to the shelter, where she discovered Zira and one of her brothers were the sole survivors. Heartbroken, Hyle took both puppies home, forever changing their lives.
The Pup’s Unusual Appearance
Hyle provided Zira with the loving forever home she desperately needed, while Zira’s brother found a wonderful family as well. Growing up, Zira turned into a joyful dog who loved to snuggle and play, reveling in the love showered upon her. Now, at eleven years old, she remains active, playing with her doggy brothers, Buckeye and Kasson. Although Zira appears to be a typical dog, her odd appearance led Hyle to suspect she was a mixed breed, yet she couldn’t pinpoint the exact mix.
Hyle’s father would tease her, joking that Zira resembled a coyote, a sentiment echoed by her husband upon their first meeting. Despite the shelter staff’s claims that Zira was a mix of Rottweiler and German Shepherd, Hyle found it hard to believe due to Zira’s distinctive appearance. Curious about her true breed, Hyle dreamed of getting a DNA test, and her husband surprised her with one as a Christmas gift.
Zira’s Family Reveals Her DNA Results
When the DNA results arrived, the couple was filled with excitement and documented their reaction in a TikTok video. They had fun guessing Zira’s breed mix before the reveal: Hyle’s husband speculated she was part Carolina Dog, Siberian Husky, and Coyote, while Hyle guessed a mix of Cattle Dog and Carolina Dog. To their surprise, the test revealed Zira was 19% Rottweiler, 16% Australian Cattle Dog, and 14% Pit Bull Terrier, along with a blend of several other breeds.
The results were unexpected, as they discovered that Zira is predominantly Rottweiler with no traces of Carolina Dog, which they had assumed were among her traits. Despite the surprises that came with the findings, the experience was delightful for the couple. They now have clarity on Zira’s true heritage and can confidently dismiss any association with coyotes.
