Hearts Melt as 'Proud Dad' Dog Meets 3-Day-Old Puppies for the First Time

Hearts melted online after the moment a dog met his puppies for the first time was shared on TikTok.

With more than 8 million views and more than 500,000 likes, the emotional first encounter showed how the large white XL Bully dog reacted to his 3-day-old offspring.

The XL Bully is a relatively new breed known for its impressive size and gentle demeanor. A variant of the American Bully lineage, they originate from a mix of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier.

In the viral video posted by @juliekennethdoziec, the proud father walks into the room where the XL Bully mom is carefully protecting her puppies behind a pen. The dad's reaction to meeting his tiny kids has delighted viewers as his inquisitive and gentle nature shone through.

Over 5,000 comments flooded in as people shared their reactions and thoughts to the video captioned "first meeting with dad."

One TikTok use commented, "Melts my heart," while another wrote, "Awesome dogs." Another viewer highlighted the gentle nature of the XL Bully, commenting, "See, this is what an XL Bully is truly like. Beautiful and gentle creatures."

The sentiment of pride in the XL Bully dad was echoed in comments such as, "Proud dad right there, getting all choked up."

Despite the overwhelming positivity surrounding the video and the gentleness of the dog, the XL Bully breed is not without controversy. Recent incidents involving XL Bully dogs have sparked debates about their future in various regions, especially in the United Kingdom. In response to a series of attacks, the U.K. government announced plans to ban XL Bully dogs and implemented regulations under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

In the United States, discussions about responsible pet ownership and potential breed-specific legislation have also been prompted by the XL Bully. While no outright ban has been proposed, public safety concerns have highlighted the need for responsible breeding and ownership practices.

Last month an XL Bully owner told Newsweek of his frustration at the reputation surrounding the large breed.

"It is my firm opinion that there are no evil dog breeds, just evil people who teach dogs evil behavior," Pankaj Bedi told Newsweek. "Dogs are as innocent as children are and will learn good and evil from their owners. It is wrong to punish dogs for human mistakes."

Newsweek reached out to @juliekennethdoziec via TikTok for comment.

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