When this American family welcomed their 15-week-old puppy, they were convinced they had adopted a female American Pit Bull Terrier.. The rescue that entrusted them with the dog specialised in the breed, and nothing suggested a case of mistaken identity.
But the dog soon began to grow and take up a lot of space. Her slender build, elongated muzzle and overall appearance raised suspicions. After a few weeks, the family decided to carry out a DNA test. The result sparked amazement on Reddit, where the owner shared their story along with several photos.
An unexpected mix
Beneath her Pitbull appearance, Ripley turned out to be an almost equal mix of Great Dane (50.8%) and a German Shepherd (49.2%). An uncommon combination that internet users found as surprising as it was adorable.
The Reddit post received a warm welcome. Several people had tried to guess her origins: Greyhound, Whippet, Plott Hound... but none had got it right. Ripley's distinctive appearance had fooled everyone.
A meaningful adoption
Beyond the surprise, this adoption held deep significance. The couple had recently lost their dog, a Pit Bull/Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, who had died of cancer. They had hoped she would be there to grow up alongside their future baby, but fate had other plans.
It was in this context that they decided to welcome Ripley. Despite the challenges of training a puppy, she made enormous progress. She learnt quickly, joined park outings, ran alongside her owners on a skateboard, and became more sociable by the day. Although fearful at first, her wariness of humans gradually faded.
But what intrigued the online community most was Ripley’s impressive size. In just two months, she had gained nearly 40 pounds and now weighed approximately 60 pounds. “We wonder how far it will go,” her owner wrote in the comments. One thing was certain: even if she wasn’t the dog they expected, Ripley was now completely loved by a family ready to stand by her for years to come.
