A couple who rescued a puppy from a shelter were left stunned after a DNA test revealed her unexpected breed mix—sparking thousands of reactions on TikTok.
The video, shows the moment the couple discovered the genetic makeup of their 8‑month‑old rescue puppy, Bear. According to the owner, they had no idea what breeds made up their dog when they adopted her on November 15.
“We adopted her and had no clue what her mix could possibly be, so we did a DNA test and the results surprised me,” the text layered over the clip shared to @itsbearswrld.
The results revealed that Bear is made up of 44 percent standard poodle and 25.3 percent poodle, alongside 10 percent golden retriever and 10 percent Boston terrier. “Woah, didn’t expect this one,” they added onscreen as results showed Bear also had 10.7 percent American pit bull terrier in her.
Reacting to the findings, the owner joked that the poodle percentage “sounds right,” adding that while the results were unexpected, they didn’t change how the couple felt about their dog.
“We love our shelter baby regardless of her breed, but it’s cool to know,” they said.
Why Shelter Dogs’ Breeds Are Often a Mystery
Shelter dogs—especially puppies—frequently arrive without a confirmed breed, making visual identification difficult. When a breed isn’t already listed, veterinary technicians typically assess a range of physical traits, including weight, paw size, markings, ear shape, head structure, and coat texture and coloring.
With more than 200 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, accurately identifying a dog’s breed based on appearance alone can be challenging. Most puppies in shelters are mixed breeds, often made up of several different lineages.
As dogs grow, breed traits can also change significantly. Coat texture, fur length, and even eye color may shift as a puppy matures, sometimes making them look entirely different from how they appeared when they first arrived at a shelter.
What Research Says About Mixed‑Breed Dogs
Despite making up the majority of the world’s dog population, studies comparing mixed‑breed and purebred dogs are relatively limited. One large survey conducted in Germany analyzed more than 15,000 dogs and found that owners rated mixed‑breed dogs as less calm, less sociable with other dogs, and more likely to display problem behaviors than purebreds.
However, the study also noted that mixed‑breed dogs were more frequently neutered and typically adopted at older ages—factors that may influence behavior.
After accounting for these differences, researchers found that mixed‑breed dogs were actually more trainable than purebreds, though still less calm and more prone to problem behaviors.
The authors concluded that mixed‑breed dogs are not simply “average” dogs, but a distinct group with their own behavioral traits.
TikTok Reacts
Viewers were quick to share their thoughts on Bear’s surprise DNA results.
“So fun to find out!” one user commented, while another added: “All the best genes from each.”
For Bear’s owners, however, the results were just an added bonus to an already happy ending—proof that a shelter dog’s story can still hold plenty of surprises.
Newsweek reached out to @itsbearswrld for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.