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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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At first glance, a dog called Maple Syrup looked exactly like a dachshund until a social-media post revealed a DNA result that left her owner questioning everything.
The March 4 post, shared by Reddit user u/austin795, shows a slideshow of images of Maple Syrup, a black dog with a long body and short legs. Based on her appearance and size, the owner said they had always assumed she was a dachshund and Labrador retriever mix.
"She weighs about 35lbs, our best guess was dachshund [and labrador] mix," the user wrote.
Read More on Pets
The post titled, "this is mind blowing," features a screenshot of her DNA test results on the last slide, which state that the dog is half-dachshund and half-Great Dane—an unexpected combination given her size.
The post ends with the owner questioning whether the results can be trusted. "We’re struggling to believe the results," they wrote, asking other users whether they should consider retesting.
Why Pet DNA Tests Fascinate Owners
Many studies have looked at genetic testing for people, but far less attention has been paid to how pet owners use DNA tests for their dogs and cats. This is surprising, since dog and cat DNA was mapped soon after the human genome, and canine DNA tests have been available since 2007.
Research suggests owners are mainly motivated by curiosity about their dog’s breed mix, generally trust the results they receive, and often share those findings with family and friends. It also shows that people may choose which parts of the results they fully accept when thinking about their relationship with their pup.
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Reddit Reacts
So far, the post has received more than 2,333300 upvotes and over 330 comments.
"I guess mom was the Dane and she was laying down? Seriously though at 35 pounds that seems insane," one user commented.
Another joked: "Happens more often than you'd think. The little guys are into the giant ladies."
A third asked: "Amazing. Did you find this freak of nature at a shelter? Rare find."
The owner replied that Maple Syrup was adopted from a shelter, adding: "She was in pretty rough shape when we first got her—massively underweight, abrasions on her neck (we heard she was chained up outdoors), abrasions around the outside of her ears etc. That said, she was in good spirits, all things considered. She’s a great dog now and perfectly healthy."
Health Considerations Across Breeds
If the DNA results are accurate, then Maple Syrup could inherit health risks associated with both breeds.
Dachshunds, also known as wiener or sausage dogs, are bred with a build that makes them prone to intervertebral disk disease; this is a condition in which the discs between the spine can deteriorate or herniate, sometimes causing pain, paralysis, and, in severe cases, requiring surgery.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) notes that Great Danes—often called gentle giants—are prone to several serious conditions, including bloat, a life‑threatening issue where the stomach twists and cuts off blood supply; cardiomyopathy, which weakens the heart muscle and causes enlargement of the heart; joint and bone diseases such as hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis; and thyroid problems like hypothyroidism, which can usually be managed with medication and regular blood tests.
Reference
Bennett, Nikki E., and Peter B. Gray. "A Study Evaluating Consumer Motivations, Perceptions, and Responses to Direct-to-Consumer Canine Genetic Test Results." Animals : An Open Access Journal from MDPI, vol. 12, no. 23, Nov. 2022, p. 3360. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12233360.
Newsweek reached out to u/austin795 for comment. We could not verify the details of the case.
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