Life is a wondrous gift, and it brings immeasurable joy when a litter of adorable puppies is born. This was the case when a Golden Retriever mother welcomed her precious puppies in Pensacola, Florida.
This particular litter stood out for a remarkable reason—one puppy was unlike the rest. While her siblings sported the typical blonde fur of Golden Retrievers, this one had a distinct hue.
Initially taken aback, the breeders soon recognized that this uniqueness might work to her benefit.
A Rare and Beautiful Occurrence
The litter, consisting of eight puppies, was born on March 3, 2024. Initially, their only defining trait was their overwhelming cuteness. However, a closer examination revealed that one puppy was indeed different.
Carole DeBruler and her husband, Greg, breeders at Golden Treasures Kennel in Pensacola, Florida, were astounded to discover that one puppy exhibited a dark green tint.
“We were quite taken aback,” Carole shared with PEOPLE. In their 17 years of breeding light-colored puppies, they had encountered “some green or a slight tint” occasionally, but never a coat that was entirely dark green.
Typically, green tints wash away, so they attempted to clean her as well. However, their efforts proved futile.
“Mom can clean them, we can clean them, and it usually comes off — but hers didn’t,” Carole explained. “This is exceptionally rare.”
After several baths and multiple “kisses” from her mother, the puppy’s coat transitioned from dark green to a vibrant lime green. They affectionately named her Shamrock, making her not only special but even more charming than an “ordinary” puppy.
“And she retained her lime color for quite a while,” Carole confirmed.
“A Lucky Dog”
Because of her uniqueness, Carole and Greg chose to feature Shamrock in a video on their TikTok account, @living_the_golden_life.
They never could have anticipated the attention the video would garner. It showcased a Golden Retriever mother nursing her puppies, focusing on the extraordinary Shamrock. The narration explained how Shamrock’s unique coat color developed.
“She’s a rare puppy whose white fur was stained in the womb with biliverdin,” they stated in the video. Biliverdin, as described by Breeding Business, is a pigment in the bile of dogs responsible for this rare green coloration, sometimes influencing the fur color of puppies.
Carole and family didn’t stop at just one video; they continued sharing Shamrock’s story, escalating interest in her well beyond what they imagined.
“I’m thrilled to share Shamrock with everyone,” Carole expressed. “She is indeed a lucky dog!”
As time passed, Shamrock matured and the green hue gradually diminished, revealing a striking golden coat—the signature look of all Golden Retrievers.
A Top Choice
Shamrock’s initial fame from her green coat and her growing beauty made her the undeniable favorite among her siblings, ensuring she was the first to find a forever home.
“The gentleman adopting her has just retired and she will be his new companion. He already loves her dearly,” Carole said. “She’s incredibly cherished now, and she will continue to be loved in the future — which brings me great joy.”
We trust her new family will treat her like the unique dog she truly is, as she has been special from the moment she entered the world.
