Man Thinking He Has a Staffie Puppy Not Prepared for What Dog Turns Into

The internet has been left amused as a man realized that his beloved pooch, believed to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, may not be what he seems.

In a video shared to TikTok by @kurtismcconkey1 last week that has more than 700,000 views, the dog owner from Belfast affectionately introduced his canine companion who he thought would be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier—sometimes lovingly dubbed the "Staffie"—but as he grew, it became clear he was a little different.

"His mummy's a staffie, she got out in heat and we don't know what got her," TikTok user kurtismcconkey1 wrote in a comment alongside a video. "He was the only pup so we had to keep him. He's definitely different but we love him."

In the video text, the owner joked: "Never buy a Staffie from Gumtree." Gumtree is an online marketplace where users can buy, sell, and find various items from cars to furniture. It is popular in the United Kingdom and similar to Craigslist in the United States.

Newsweek reached out to @kurtismcconkey1 via TikTok for comment.

Keen-eyed viewers quickly noted distinctive features that deviate from the typical Staffordshire Bull Terrier characteristics. Taller and slimmer than a Staffie, the pup has wiry hair and a more terrier-style face.

Theories about the breed of the dog's father ranged from Patterdale Terrier to schnauzer, leaving many scratching their heads over the pup's lineage.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the dog's breed, comments flooded in with overwhelming support for the adorable canine. "Still cute tho," remarked one TikTok user, while another commented, "He's still lovely."

One user even joked: "He's gorgeous. But I think my DNA is more Staffie than his."

People also shared their own experiences of puppies growing into unexpected dogs.

"Happened to me," one TikTok user wrote. "I bought a Jack Russell [and] it ended up 3 feet high."

Another user shared: "I bought a female cat off Gumtree, turned out it was a male."

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, renowned for its muscular build, intelligence, and affectionate nature, ranks as the 75th most popular dog breed in the U.S., according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Recognized as a distinct breed by the AKC in 1974, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has garnered a reputation as the "nanny dog" in England, cherished for its role as a loyal companion and guardian to children.

Unlike the puppy in the now viral video, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a smooth short coat and stocky shape.

This isn't the first time a dog owner has been left scratching their head over their dog's background. Like the woman last month who was shocked when her rescue puppy turned into an 80-pound dog, or the owner who did a dog DNA test last year to discover that her dog wasn't a golden retriever mix as expected.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.