We Finally DNA Tested Our Dog (And Everything Makes Sense Now)
- Carrie Maria
- Jul 13
- 3 min read
Last June, we brought home a sick little puppy to foster from Street Tails Animal Rescue here in Philadelphia. His name is Tui, and when we adopted him, he was about three months old. Needless to say he was a failed foster and we made our intentions known to adopt him within hours (not days) after picking him up.
He was underweight, recovering from various viruses his poor unvaccinated self picked up at the shelter, and had enormous paws. The shelter had named him Stretch Armstrong, and they were not wrong - he STRETCHED.
Everyone had a theory about what breed he might be. We heard everything from Labrador Retriever to Great Dane to Mastiff mix, and as he continued to grow, the guesses only became more creative. About 482 people told us he looked like SooobyDoo. So naturally, we leaned in for his first Halloween with us...
Rather than rush to DNA test him, we decided to wait until he was fully grown. Part of it was practical, but mostly we loved the mystery. It felt like opening a present we didn't have to unwrap right away.
The Big Reveal
Last month, we finally ordered a DNA test and sent it off. Like any impatient dog parents, we checked our email far more often than we'd like to admit while waiting for the results.
When they finally arrived, we opened them immediately.
The verdict?
Tui is 50% Rottweiler, 40% Pit Bull, and 10% Cane Corso Mastiff.
The funny thing is that once we knew, everything suddenly clicked.
Tui is the definition of a velcro dog. If someone sits down, he's immediately on their feet, leaning against their legs, or attempting to climb into their lap despite being much larger than he realizes. His favorite place in the world is wherever his people happen to be. He is deeply loyal, incredibly affectionate, and trusts the people he loves with his whole heart. (Hello Rottie and Pit.)
Everything Suddenly Made Sense
His size also makes a lot more sense now. The tiny puppy we brought home has grown into a huge, lanky dog with giant paws and long legs that never quite seem to fit on the couch. The Rottweiler connection was especially fun because we actually know one of Tui's sisters (Betty!) from around the neighborhood. She has much more of the classic Rottweiler coloring than Tui does, and now we can definitely see the family resemblance. (Side note: bumping into your dog's sister is so fun!)
What surprised us most wasn't the DNA itself, but how much it reminded us that Tui is simply... Tui. The test explained some of his physical traits and personality quirks, but it didn't change who he is. He's still the goofy dog who hogs the bed, the oversized lapdog who has never heard of personal space, and the dog stole our heart within literal hours.
If you've ever considered DNA testing your dog, we'd absolutely recommend it. It was fun, insightful and we wish we did it for our other pups!
After more than twenty years of walking dogs throughout Philadelphia, we've learned that every dog has their own story. Some are purebred, some are wonderful mixed breeds, and some are complete mysteries until a DNA test solves the puzzle. No matter what's in their DNA, though, every dog deserves great care, lots of love, and someone who's excited to get to know exactly who they are.
If you're looking for a Philadelphia dog walker for your own monster, we'd love to meet you. Learn more about our services.
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