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Imagine you finally get the pupper of your dreams. Lassie comes home, the days go by, and then you realize your dorkie chorkie looks kinda different. At some point, you have to tell yourself—ma doggo is everything except a collie.

But you’re not alone. In fact, there are too many pet owners out there who had their expectations hit with a reality check after their puppers grew up. From believing you got a cocker spaniel to raising a wiener dog, these people got heckin’ bamboozled! In the end, the breed is just a name and these woofers are even more adorable!

But in order to find out why breed confusion is so common, Bored Panda contacted Antonio Diaz, a dog trainer and behavior specialist based in Las Vegas. Scroll down for an interview below!

#1

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

He’s a hound mix... they said. He will be 45 lbs max... they said. They didn’t say he was mixed with Great Dane. And that he would be 45 lbs when he was 4 months old. Loki is now a comfortable 100lbs.

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“It happens all the time!” said Antonio Diaz about puppers growing up into dogs of a seemingly completely different breed. The K9 dog trainer gives a few reasons for this. First, “people aren’t doing their research on the breeder.” Second, “a low price on a 'purebred dog' blinds some of us, and you get caught in a scam.” If it’s too good to be true, “you know the rest,” explained Antonio.

Antonio believes that most of these dogs “come from backyard breeders.” In order to avoid confusion later, people should “always ask to see the parents of the puppies AND previous litters.” He warns that if the parents “aren’t’ available, it’s a red flag and you should run.”

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#5

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

She was supposed to be a yorkshire. Turned out better than what we asked for

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#6

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

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Jo Choto
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Started off spaniel, finished up as Tramp, from Lady and the Tramp.

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Dogs tend to change their looks as they grow older. “They have an undercoat that grows as they get older. Different patterns and colors of fur start to develop and grow in.” As a result, your dog could literally transform his looks with time. “This is what happened with my own German shepherd. She was dark in her face as a puppy and got lighter as she aged,” said Antonio.

In fact, it happens in humans too. “Young children can have blonde hair and end up being brunet as adults. Our eye colors sometimes change too.”

#7

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

The shelter said boxer mix. After doing Wisdom Panel, we found out he's 50% American Staffordshire Terrier, 12.5% Australian Shepherd, 12.5% Australian Cattle Dog, 12.5% Mastiff (😳) and 12.5% other. 77 lbs of good boy.

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#8

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

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Laugh or not
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hello Darkness, my old friend. You are the cutest, in this Land.

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#10

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

My “purebred chihuahua”. The vet says 1/2 chihuahua and 1/2 yorkshire terrier. I love my dorkie chorkie

Heather Dean Report

#11

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

unknown Report

#12

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

My handsome "maltese x fox terrier" boy. No idea what breeds are in there but he is amazing regardless

Laura Sheridan Report

#13

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

My “50 lb lab mix” grew into a sweet, beautiful 85 lb Rottweiler/boxer! Wouldn’t have her any other way. Pictured with my mom on her natural habitat (the lap).

Sarah Sullivan Report

#14

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

Our ‘full blooded’ mini dachshund.

Tiffani Gill Report

#15

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

Was told she was a shih tzu come to find she is a poodle jack russel mix.

Anna Eicher Report

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#17

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

I was told he would be a small apartment dog, 4 years and 20 pounds later, still beautiful, still the Love of my life

Laura Peña de Retamal Report

#19

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

This guy was supposed to be a mix between an mini-pincher and a jack russel terrier. He now weighs more than 11kg

Rudi Isang Cornels Report

#21

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

I told my mom Bunni was a mini dachshund for Christmas now she is about 6-7 months old and 40 pounds lol. Merry Christmas mommy dearest lmao she loves her more then ever though so she is her mini dachshund on steroids lol

Liz Brown Report

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Rissie
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How in this world can this dog ever be mistaken for a mini dachshund? Even the puppies are very different :) 100 procent good girl, though :)

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#23

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This girl was supposed to be half Rottweiler, half German shepherd.
plot twist- her largest percentage is actually CHOW CHOW at 30%, and the rest a mix of Doberman, golden retriever, shepherd, Rottweiler, jack Russell terrier and super mutt.

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#24

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

Our Little Girl was speculated to be a Beagle mix. However, I don’t believe I’ve ever met a 70 lb Beagle mix before. But we love her, whatever she is!

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Felix Utterback
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know. I had a beagle/rotweiller mix growing up who was nearly 80 pounds

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#25

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Purebred Jack Russell. DNA tests have confirmed Chihuahua with some pomeranian, Jack Russell is 7th down the list of composite breeds next to great Dane

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#28

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

The collie I got at the shelter he’s the best and I love him just as he is anyways!

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Dilly Millandry
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty markings. Though they love us no matter what we look like so we should do the same.

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#29

Dogs-Turned-Out-Different-Breed

This old guy (who sadly had to be put to sleep at the age of seventeen last december), was supposed to be a teacup chihuahua

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#30

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Half poodle, as confirmed by a DNA test

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Dilly Millandry
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3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never really understand why people mind what they are once they have them - unless it's for health reasons that they need to find out. They are just themselves - loving dogs. EDIT: for purposes of clarification I don't mean why do people choose a certain type of dog but why do they mind enough to get a dna test after they have them. Seems a waste of money.

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Iliana Adler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It helps knowing the mix to be aware of possible health issues. I adopted a mustang horse born in the wild, I was told he would be medium-sized not more than 800 pounds, well his DNA came back as draft mix, heavy draft and Irish, because of that I was ready to see him past all the markers, he is about 1200 pounds, I knew that he was going to be grained and that I had to hold off molasses, since some Irish breeds are insulin resistance, so it is not really a waste of money.

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Kat Rogers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Half Poodle & Half Puddle~ As In A PUPPER LOUNGER... It's like The 🐕 Version of A COUCH POTATO! That's MY Story And I'M Stickin To IT.😅😻

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Rebecca Bucholtz
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@Dilly Millandry if you have the money, I think it would be a great conversation piece. Besides, why do we want to know what we are? Just to know. I have believed myself to be 100% German all my life. So, imagine my surprise to find Scandinavia in me. It is the Viking raiders!

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Kate Sly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg looks just like my little man and i have no idea what he is!!🤣🤣

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Sheila McCarthy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Something got mixed up there. Looks like a heeler to me. Beautiful!

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Tammy Ralph
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Almost every time I'm on walks with my dog people stop to admire him and ask what breed he is, I would love to be able to tell them. I also out of pure curiosity would love to know, and until just now I didn't know you could get a DNA test for dogs.

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Kim Ewin-Gøbel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

we used to have a smooth coated dog that was half poodle and half terrier. She didn't inherit the curly coat.

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Karen Lyon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sure. Half standard poodle, not miniature! My brother and sister-in-law have had standard poodles for years now, they can be a pretty good size.

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Johanne Trudeau
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW!!! Love the marking. They're very close to the English Setter...

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Ang.stl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The coat on this guy is gorgeous! I don’t know that I’ve seen that kind of markings on a lighter colored dog, usually greys or black and brown. I love it in all the colors, but this is a first for me.

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Dave Chapman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He/she has some really unique colourations, looks very healthy and content...and sleeeeepppyyyyy...

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Up All Night
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is the other half, because those are some insane markings!

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Aimee Simmons
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apartment, or housing complexes, and even HOA's have a banned breed list, and insist on dna tests if they think the dog LOOKS like one. My husband and I lost our two rescue Roxers (rottweiler/Boxer mix) when we were forced to move. It was heart breaking.

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Yvette Huggins
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Half poodle half ROYALTY! "WHERE IS MY TI-AR-A?" 😂😂😂🐾🐾❤

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Stefanie Morris
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Red cattle dog if ever I saw one. Loyal, loveable and a best friend forever

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Stefanie Morris
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Red cattle dog if ever I saw one. Loveable, loyal and your best friend forever

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Yoka V
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3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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2BX
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

#31 and #45 need to chat, I think they have the same breeder

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Kim Bush
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

DNA who cares? Red merle markings are gorgeous!

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Note: this post originally had 50 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.