August arrived at his forever home in Delaware when he was two months old. At the time, he weighed just six pounds. He explored his new environment and adjusted to his new home as if he had always lived there.
The pup continued to grow, but not in the way people expected. He stayed small and playful, and his size was starting to draw attention.
August always felt normal and was happy with his life. He felt safe and loved.
As he grew older, people started questioning his breed.
A Tiny Pup
When Julia Grillo adopted August in 2024, she was convinced that her six-pound puppy was a golden retriever.
August was a healthy pup. He enjoyed playing, and he loved his mom deeply.
At first, his size didn’t stand out.
However, as time passed, the difference became harder to ignore. By the time August reached adulthood, he weighed 36 pounds, far below the usual range for female golden retrievers, which typically falls between 55 and 65 pounds.
“At first, I wasn’t worried because my veterinarian consistently reassured me that growth variations like this do happen,” Grillo said in an interview.
When August gained popularity online, things changed. Comments poured in, and many of them were harsh and concerning. Although August remained the same playful dog, his mom started having doubts.
Answers In Black And White
Although the vet reassured Grillo that everything was fine and she had confidence in the breeder, she still needed certainty.
August’s siblings had grown to typical sizes, which made his smaller frame seem odd. Grillo ordered a DNA test.
When the results arrived, she felt relieved to find out the truth. August was 100 percent golden retriever. A second test confirmed it.
Grillo shared a video of August on Instagram through @augustthatgolden on December 15, 2025. In the clip, the pup is looking up at the camera. He looked younger than he actually was due to his small size.
In the follow-up video, Grillo shared the DNA results. Since her pup was completely healthy, Grillo chose to distance herself from the negativity.
“[The vet] explained that August is lean, active, and in great shape, and that being healthy and fit rather than overweight actually gives her a better chance at a long life,” she said.
The response from viewers was different. Nobody could doubt August’s breed anymore.
“To be honest, I’m kinda jealous you have a permanent puppy,” one person wrote.
“She’s just pocket-sized. Perfect regardless!” another added.
Others shared their own experiences.
“My pure-bred golden is only 44 pounds!! She’s puppy-sized!!” one comment read.
Another summed it up simply: “Genetics are wild! You can do all the tests, breed from the best lines, and sometimes things like this still happen.”
The answers brought relief to Grillo. She confirmed her dog’s breed and he got a clean bill of health. Everything was as it should be. August and his mom continued enjoying their lives together.
If you want to keep up with August, you can follow him on Instagram where he and his mom regularly share heartwarming posts and updates.