DNA Test Reveals Surprising Breed Mix Behind “Weird Looking” Rescue Dog
When Brett Miller adopted a rescue dog earlier this year, he knew one thing for sure, she did not look like any single breed he could easily identify. Birdie, a two year old shelter dog he brought home in August, had a look that left him jokingly calling her “weird looking” and even comparing her face to a gargoyle. While the comments were affectionate, they also fueled a genuine curiosity about what Birdie really was.
Miller, who lives in Los Angeles, initially assumed Birdie was a pit bull and terrier mix. Despite her unusual appearance, she quickly won him over with her easygoing personality. He says she is friendly with people and other dogs, loves spending time with family, and is happiest when she is curled up napping. Life with Birdie was going smoothly until Miller began thinking about traveling with her.
Because pit bulls are restricted on many major airlines, Miller worried Birdie might not be allowed to fly with him. When his veterinarian was unable to clear her for air travel due to her suspected pit bull heritage, Miller decided to finally get answers. His mother bought him a DNA test, hoping it would confirm exactly what breeds made up Birdie’s unmistakable look.
The results were nothing like what Miller expected. Birdie turned out to be just 4 percent pit bull. Instead, her DNA showed she is primarily American Bully at 31 percent, followed by Chihuahua at 14 percent and Pomeranian at 13 percent. Another 13 percent was classified as super mutt, with 10 percent poodle, along with smaller amounts of chow chow and German shepherd.
Miller shared the results in a TikTok video, reading off each percentage while Birdie calmly sat on his lap. The clip quickly went viral, drawing more than a million views and hundreds of thousands of likes. Viewers were fascinated by the unexpected mix, with many saying the combination somehow made perfect sense once they saw it.
The DNA test brought Miller some relief as well. While American Bullies can face airline restrictions due to breathing issues, Birdie’s Chihuahua shaped snout meant she should be able to travel safely by plane. Miller said he was shocked but thrilled, knowing Birdie could now join him on trips.
Since the video took off, Miller has been flooded with comments from other dog owners sharing stories of their own surprising DNA results. He says hearing from so many people has been one of the best parts of the experience. What started as a simple question about a “weird looking” rescue dog turned into a reminder of just how unpredictable and lovable mixed breed dogs can be.
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