As a former dog owner, I understand that one of the key considerations when adopting a dog is its breed and age. While it may not be critical for everyone, many people have preferences, and that’s perfectly normal. However, some individuals adopt dogs without fully knowing their breed, only to discover later that their expectations were mistaken.
This was the case for a North Carolina owner who adopted a ‘Labrador’ puppy, unaware of the surprises that awaited her in the following weeks.
Jenny Was Surprised
Initially, when Jenny adopted Stetson, she believed he was just a black Labrador. The shelter had labeled him as a ‘stray,’ but they seemingly did not conduct thorough research into his breed. However, as time went by, Jenny noticed significant changes. After three and a half months, she realized he was not a black Labrador at all. To confirm her suspicions, she decided to conduct a DNA test, which yielded surprising results.
To her astonishment, Stetson was not comprised of a single breed, but was instead a mix: 58 percent German Shepherd, 18 percent Retriever, and 10 percent Chow. There was not a trace of Labrador in him, and her initial assumptions proved wrong. Regardless, Stetson’s family cherishes him deeply, and that affection remains unchanged.
Reactions on TikTok
After sharing Stetson’s story on her TikTok account, it didn’t take long for people to express their reactions. Many chimed in with their own experiences. One user remarked, “I was told black lab, and when her legs hit their growth spurt, I quickly realized she is part Great Dane. They also said she would weigh 40-60 lbs—she is 98.” Situations like this occur frequently, especially with young puppies where breed identification can be difficult.
Another user shared, “I got a ‘lab mix’ from the shelter, and it turns out he has no lab at all. I think they assume all black dogs are labs. You have a beautiful shepherd mix there.” While I wasn’t aware of this practice, it seems to happen in some shelters. I find it perplexing that anyone would generalize that all black dogs are labs.
Lastly, another person remarked, “Those ears and back legs are screaming German Shepherd!” I’ve always been amazed at how people can determine breeds based on small physical traits. Personally, I find it challenging to distinguish breeds, even with years of experience around dogs. This amusing story illustrates that such mix-ups are quite common. While they may not be significant issues, witnessing others react to these anecdotes is always entertaining.
