An adorable rescued pet has been dubbed as the "strangest looking dog" by his owner who has shared his unlikely heritage with millions online.
Three-year-old Dudley has recently gone viral on TikTok after his owner Kathy Dinnin revealed her dog with "little legs and a big personality" is a cross between a Bernese Mountain dog and a poodle.
The clip of the bernedoodle has been viewed by 1.5 million people and received more than 165,000 likes.
Dinnin, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, told Newsweek: "He was adopted when he was 1, after being surrendered to the shelter by a breeder. He spent that first year of his life in a cage.
"Sadly, when we adopted him, he was afraid of everything such as people, the kitchen floor, chairs, lamps, steps, etc. It was heart-wrenching to realize he had never experienced anything except a cage and just didn't know what to do outside the cage.
"Since then, he has gradually gained confidence and has learned to trust humans. He's calm and mellow and hasn't met a person or dog he doesn't like. He is so cuddly and uses his little legs to give hugs.
"The first time I met him, I thought, 'that is the strangest-looking dog I have ever seen.' Regardless, we knew he was meant to be our dog and he came home with us that day! Because of his build, he'll likely experience health issues as he gets older, so we have him on a special prescription diet and make sure he's monitored regularly by his vet."
Can a Small Dog Get Pregnant by a Large Dog?
The video states Dudley's mom is a Bernese Mountain dog so her height could range from 23 to 26 inches, and she might have weighed anything from 70 to 95 pounds. Whereas Dudley's dad might have been a toy poodle which is significantly smaller than the mom.
The American Kennel Club states a toy poodle stands at no more than 10 inches and weighs 4 to 6 pounds.
It may be hard to believe this unlikely duo can even mate due to the difference but Pet Keen, a veterinarian-approved website, states "fertilization does not care about the size of the dogs involved."
What Are the Risks?
When a larger male dog mates with a smaller dog, there are a number of things that can go wrong:
- The male could potentially injure the female's spinal column, causing pain and paralysis.
- Some dogs are rough when mating and may hurt the smaller dog by pawing them.
- The male may decide to lie down after the lock and squish the female if she is small.
- If the mating is successful, it is likely the fetuses are too big for the smaller dog's uterus and birthing canal so a c-section may be necessary.
Over 1,650 people have commented on the post, and they are perplexed.
Speaking to Newsweek, Dinnin said: "Our hope is that his TikTok provides amusement while also sharing what can happen with dogs that are unethically bred.
"We are rescue dog advocates! All of our family dogs have been adopted, and we've even been able to foster a few dogs. Maybe if Dudley's TikTok ever really takes off we can use it to help raise money and awareness for other rescue dogs!"
Some people have commented simply asking "how ???" and others have complimented the dog stating he is "too cute."
One user wrote: "Please tell me this wasn't on purpose!!!! Don't mess with Berners, they are perfect just the way they are!!!"
"The relief I felt when I found out he's a rescue," said another person.
"Because and ONLY because he is a rescue I will adamantly say. I would die for him," wrote another.
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.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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