Puppy Has DNA Test—Results Shock Owner: 'Zero Golden Retriever'
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A dog owner from Asbury Park, New Jersey, believed they had adopted a golden retriever—only to be surprised by the results of a DNA test.
Gina DiLello, who goes by u/Pitiful_Raspberry_79 on Reddit, adopted Loki George after losing their 12-year-old yellow Labrador. They were convinced Loki George was part golden retriever.
"We were sure he was part golden retriever, but we saw photos of his siblings who were darker than him and not at all golden looking. The adoption agency called him a golden retriever, AI told me he was a golden retriever, and we were telling people he was a golden mix when they asked. That prompted me to buy a DNA testing kit from Embark," DiLello told Newsweek.
DiLello shared the results on the subreddit "Doggy DNA," where the post received 1,600 upvotes. The DNA test revealed Loki George's mix as 29 percent German shepherd, 26 percent beagle, 23.3 percent "Supermutt," and 21.7 percent Siberian Husky.
"Zero golden retriever or lab," she wrote.
DiLello explained that Loki George, named after the god of mischief, is a four-month-old energetic and talkative puppy who loves chewing everything in sight.
"If he knows he's not supposed to do something he makes it his goal to do it. Once he gets sleepy he turns into a different dog—snuggly and cuddly and completely calm and loving," DiLello said.
After losing their yellow lab in January, DiLello began searching for a golden retriever puppy to adopt.
"I stalked every adoption site multiple times a day to find the right dog. I had applied for a bunch and once I got approved, the dog would be adopted already. One Sunday morning I found Loki George up for adoption at an agency in Connecticut 3.5 hours away. I immediately called and emailed asking if I could come up right then and bring him home. I sent them my application, they approved me, I called my fiancé who was on the beach to come home—we were going to Connecticut," DiLello said.
A split image of Loki George the blonde dog.
A split image of Loki George the blonde dog.
Gina DiLello/Gina DiLello
The DNA results came as a shock.
"No golden retriever! No yellow lab! German shepherd we could see. But beagle, Siberian husky!? I needed Reddit's opinion on this and was validated in my shock. But no matter what the results we think he is the most perfect dog in the world," DiLello said.
Veterinarian Dr. Amanda Chambers of Embrace Pet Insurance told Newsweek that dog DNA tests vary in quality. She recommended Wisdom Panel and Embark, which boast accuracy rates of 98-99 percent, adding that tests covering fewer genetic markers tend to be less accurate.
Sian Lawley Rudd, an ethical dog trainer and trauma-informed coach at Lavender Garden Animal Services, shared insights about dog DNA tests: she's worked with many dog owners surprised by their dogs' breed results. "Sometimes they start looking for certain behaviours because they've read that there's a particular breed in the mix."
She noted that breed plays a role in a dog's needs, energy, and instincts, and that activities they enjoy often relate to their breed lineage. However, she emphasized that breed mix is just one part of a bigger picture.
For example, one of her clients had a relaxed, people-focused dog with a high percentage of guarding breed, which helped explain some behaviours but didn't change the dog's core needs for steady exercise, enrichment, and downtime.
"Breed mix can be a useful guide when meeting your dog's needs, but it shouldn't be treated as a rigid blueprint for their behaviour," Rudd explained.
Reddit users had a lot of fun with Loki George's surprising results. One commenter called him a "Golden Deceiver," while another asked, "What is in the super mutt?" The original poster responded: "Border collie, collie, boxer, and Australian shepherd!"
Another user observed: "I definitely see the collie (both border collie and regular collie) in him. When it comes to genetics, my big brain always thought that mixed breed dogs take after whatever breed is their higher percentage in their DNA. I didn't know a dog could take after the smallest percentage breed. It's amazing how genetics work. The teeny tiny bit of Collie in him completely took over!"
One user added: "Totally thought he was a golden until I saw those long leggies."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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