When Zira was only a small puppy, she and her mother were taken to a shelter already overflowing with animals. With space running out, the little family was soon placed on the list of those at risk.
Michaela Hyle learned of their heartbreaking situation and wasted no time. She hurried to the shelter, hoping she wasn’t too late.
By the time she arrived, only Zira and one of her brothers remained. Unable to walk away from them, Hyle chose to bring both home. From that moment, their futures shifted forever.
A Puppy With A Distinctive Charm
Zira finally received the loving home she had been waiting for, while her brother was welcomed into another wonderful family.
As the years passed, Zira blossomed into a joyful, affectionate dog who loved nothing more than curling up with her mom and soaking in every moment together. Her days were filled with play, warmth, and endless affection.
Now at eleven years old, she still races around with boundless energy, sharing her life with her two canine brothers, Buckeye and Kasson.
Yet, despite her cheerful spirit, Zira’s appearance always sparked curiosity. Hyle knew she was a mixed breed, but the exact combination remained a mystery.
Her father often joked that Zira looked like a coyote, and he wasn’t alone in thinking so.
When Hyle’s husband first met her, he teased that Zira resembled a wild desert dog. The shelter had labeled her as a Rottweiler and German Shepherd mix, but Hyle never felt that description fit.
She longed to uncover Zira’s true heritage, not only to prove her pup wasn’t a coyote but to finally satisfy her own curiosity.
Recognizing how much it meant to her, Hyle’s husband gifted her a dog DNA kit.
The DNA Surprise That Changed Everything
When the results arrived, the couple could hardly contain their excitement. They filmed the reveal for TikTok, eager to share the discovery with others.
Before opening the report, they each made their guesses.
Her husband suspected a mix of Carolina Dog, Siberian Husky, and perhaps even Coyote. Hyle believed Zira might be part Cattle Dog combined with Carolina Dog.
The truth left them stunned.
Zira’s genetic makeup showed 19% Rottweiler, 16% Australian Cattle Dog, 14% Pit Bull Terrier, 7% Siberian Husky, and 5% American Staffordshire Terrier.
She also carried traces of many other breeds, including Border Collie, German Shepherd, Chow Chow, Golden Retriever, Alaskan Malamute, Chihuahua, Labrador Retriever, Dalmatian, English Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel, and Airedale Terrier.
The couple, living in Arizona, could hardly believe the results. Rottweiler being the most prominent breed was a complete surprise.
Both had been convinced Zira carried Carolina Dog in her lineage, but the test proved otherwise.
Although the outcome was unexpected, the experience was unforgettable. Now, Zira’s family knows her full genetic story, and they can finally say with certainty that their beloved girl is not a coyote.