When people think about adopting a dog, I would say that age and breed are usually the first things they consider. Some might even argue that breed ends up being the deciding factor above everything else.
I know that I would likely lean toward a specific breed myself before bringing a dog home. It does not mean there is anything lacking in other pups, it simply comes down to personal preference.
And that is perfectly fine. Everyone has the right to their own choices and expectations when welcoming a dog into a forever home.
In the end, what truly matters is that a dog fits well with the family who adopts them. When a woman from Florida first brought her pup home, she believed she had adopted a Black Labrador. Before long, though, she would discover something that completely changed what she thought she knew.
A Surprising Discovery
When Nancy Muth adopted her dog, Rocco, she believed she was taking home a Black Lab.
Rocco had come from a family who could no longer care for him, and his siblings hadn’t treated him very kindly. Muth, wanting to give him a better life, decided to adopt him.
Everything seemed normal at first. Rocco adjusted well to his new home, but before long, Muth noticed something strange. His face started developing wrinkles, something Labradors don’t typically have.
Puzzled, she brought him to a local veterinarian in Florida for an exam. That’s when she learned the surprising truth: her “Labrador” was actually a Cane Corso.
Muth couldn’t believe it. As a puppy, Rocco had all the features of a Labrador, but as he grew, his true breed began to show more clearly.
Her family had always raised Corgis, so a Cane Corso was a completely new experience. Still, they fell in love with Rocco just as much as before.
Internet Reactions
After the discovery, Muth shared Rocco’s story online, and the reactions poured in.
One commenter wrote: “He’s beautiful. He doesn’t understand he’s not what you wanted. I can understand your surprise, that would just make me hug him more.”
Although Rocco wasn’t the breed Muth expected, her affection for him never changed. He was still the same loving puppy she had welcomed home.
Another viewer added: “You have won the lottery – but be prepared to have a constant shadow following you for the next decade.”
Cane Corsos are famous for their loyalty and protective instincts, so Rocco will surely make a devoted guardian for his family.
One more person even shared a similar story:
“My mom adopted a black lab from a shelter lol. Maybe 3 weeks later it was clear that he was a pit bull.”
Clearly, surprises like these aren’t as rare as people think.
In the end, what matters most isn’t the breed, but the bond between a person and their dog. Rocco may not have been a Labrador, but he was exactly where he belonged — loved, cherished, and home for good.