A pet owner got an unexpected surprise after she decided to have her rescue dog undergo a DNA test.
When Chasity Hobbs, who lives in Arizona, adopted her dog Nori from an animal rescue, she was told he was a mix of “super rare breeds.”
“The rescue told us she was a Dalmatian mixed with an Old English sheepdog,” Hobbs told Newsweek. “Those are two rare breeds where I live so I thought the chances of that were super unlikely. I was curious to see what mix of breeds made such a cute dog!”
Hobbs already had seven pets by that point, but still wanted to add another rescue pup to the family. “I spent months scrolling through Petfinder, knowing we needed a very special girl to fit into a house with five cats, a tortoise, and another dog,” she said. “Then I found Nori.”
The adoption process was straightforward enough and, soon, Nori had settled into a happy routine, with days spent alongside Hobbs and her canine sibling, Zuko.
“She loves getting her big brother, Zuko, to chase her around the yard; it’s basically her favorite game,” Hobbs said. “She’s also a total toy thief and only ever wants whatever someone else has.
“Right now, she’s learning ‘shake’ and ‘place,’ and picking it up very fast. She also loves trying new foods, and her current obsession is blueberries.”
Though Nori quickly became an important part of her new family, Hobbs was still eager to find out more about where she came from and the breeds that contributed to her distinct appearance.
Why Are DNA Tests Popular Among Pet Owners?
Everyone wants to know where they come from. A 2022 YouGov poll of 1,000 Americans found 80 percent of respondents interested in taking a DNA test cited a desire to find out where their family comes as the main reason to take one.
It stands to reason that a desire to find out more about our origins would extend to our four-legged family members. That certainly proved the case for Hobbs.
Although she was skeptical of the shelter’s claims that Nori was an exact mix of Dalmatian and Old English sheepdog, Hobbs had her pup undergo the test, expecting a shock result.
The findings did not disappoint in that respect, though the shock was for an altogether-different reason: Nori’s DNA test confirmed she was indeed a perfect mix of Old English sheepdog and Dalmatian. “I was shocked, but also it makes total sense,” Hobbs said. “Nori does look exactly how you would think those two breeds would look!”
Hobbs created a video showcasing what happened for her Instagram @dear.fig.
‘Changed’
The results have proven hugely useful in helping Hobbs understand more about her rescue dog. “It has changed some of the views I have, but in a way that makes me feel like I understand her more now,” she said. “I’ve been able to do more research on those two breeds, traits and behaviors they have, and how to handle them. I think it’s helped us form an even stronger bond.”
Hobbs always knew Nori was special. The test results just served as a further reminder of that.
