Massachusetts Dog’s Fluffy Ears Sparked A DNA Mystery That Took Three Tests To Believe
After watching his brother walk out of the Massachusetts shelter with another family, this striking rescue dog found his own forever home—and uncovered a massive DNA mystery.
An Unexpected Stop
Sometimes, the most life-changing decisions happen on a whim.
When Maggie and her dad decided to stop by their local Animal Control facility, they didn’t have a strict plan in place. They simply wanted to walk around and look at the animals waiting for a second chance.
Little did Maggie know, that casual stroll down the kennel aisles was about to change her life—and the life of a very unusual dog.
Left Behind
As they walked through the shelter, one particular kennel caught Maggie’s eye.
Inside sat a striking dog named Reggie, who was sharing his small space with his brother. The two siblings had been relying on each other for comfort in the loud, stressful environment.
While Maggie was watching them, another couple walked in and made a heartbreaking choice. They decided to adopt Reggie’s brother, leaving Reggie sitting in the kennel all by himself.
Maggie couldn’t bear the thought of him being left behind alone. In that moment, she knew exactly what she had to do.
A Striking Appearance
Long story short, Maggie took Reggie home.
As he settled into his new life, his unique physical traits became even more apparent. Weighing in at a solid 65 pounds, Reggie was much larger and more muscular than people initially assumed.
But his most captivating feature was his face. Reggie had incredibly expressive, icy blue eyes that were so light they almost looked white.
His striking gaze commanded attention wherever he went.
The Fluffy Ear Mystery
Reggie’s body was covered in short hair, but his ears told a completely different story.
He had surprisingly fluffy ears that stood out against his sleek, athletic frame. Whenever he got wet, the hair on his ears would form adorable little crimps.
Maggie found the contrast fascinating and began to wonder what kind of genetic mix could create such a handsome, unusual dog.
She decided it was time to uncover the truth about her rescue pup’s heritage.
A Glitch In The System?
Maggie ordered a dog DNA test, eager to see what breeds made up her best friend.
When the results finally came back, she stared at the screen in disbelief. The list of breeds was so long and chaotic that she assumed there had been a mistake.
“We were so confused and we’re like, ‘This must be a glitch,'” Maggie recalled.
To be absolutely sure, they ordered a second test, and then a third. Every single test confirmed the exact same unbelievable truth.
A 15-Breed Masterpiece
Reggie wasn’t just a simple mixed breed; he was a combination of 15 different types of dogs.
His genetic makeup included American Pitbull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Chow Chow, Labrador Retriever, American Bulldog, Boxer, Shih Tzu, and Boston Terrier.
But the list didn’t stop there.
He also had Dogo Argentino, American Cocker Spaniel, Australian Cattle Dog, German Shepherd, Chihuahua, Poodle, and Golden Retriever in his DNA. It was the Golden Retriever and Spaniel genetics that likely gave him his signature crimped, fluffy ears.
Stopping Traffic
With such a unique look, Reggie naturally became a magnet for curious dog lovers.
Maggie says she gets stopped constantly when they are out on walks. The first question is always the same: “What kind of dog is he?”
About half the time, strangers will confidently offer their best guess as to what breeds make up Reggie’s background.
Maggie loves hearing their theories, especially since no one ever comes close to guessing the 15-breed reality.
A Sensitive Soul
Despite his tough, muscular exterior, Reggie is incredibly soft on the inside.
He is a deeply sensitive dog who is highly in tune with Maggie’s emotions. If she is watching a scary movie and feels tense, Reggie will suddenly hop onto the bed, looking around the room to find the threat.
When Maggie is feeling down, Reggie is always the first one there.
He gently approaches her and licks her face, offering his own special brand of comfort.
A Promise For Life
The dog who was once left behind in a kennel has blossomed into a loyal, loving companion.
When asked what she would tell Reggie if he could understand her, Maggie didn’t hesitate. She wants him to know just how deeply he is loved.
More importantly, she wants to lift any burdens off his broad shoulders.
“I will always protect him and he doesn’t have to worry about that,” Maggie shared. “He never has to worry about protecting me because I will always care for him.”
