Rare Breed Snapped Up by New Family After Unexpectedly Arriving at Shelter

A dog that captured hearts online has found her forever home after gaining viral attention on TikTok.

Ellie the Belgian Malinois was a rare intake for the Arizona Humane Society (AHS), which is more used to seeing mixed-breed dogs in the shelter.

"We don't have Belgian Malinois very often, however it is becoming more common as the breed grows in popularity," Joe Casados from AHS told Newsweek. "Roughly 25 percent of the pets that come through our doors are purebred. It definitely speaks to the increase of backyard breeders in recent years."

Sharing footage of 2-year-old Ellie on their TikTok page @azhumanesociety, shelter staff captured her sweet demeanor and the video quickly gained more than 900,000 views.

"Ellie came into our care as an owner surrender after her previous owner passed away," Casados explained. "Unfortunately, she was living in hoard-like conditions and needed to be treated for some cuts she had which were likely from dog fighting. The medical team at our Second Chance Animal Trauma Hospital was able to heal her wounds as well as remove broken teeth that were bothering her."

Ellie's presence at the Arizona Humane Society's South Mountain campus sparked significant attention. In the caption accompanying Ellie's video, the shelter announced that she was available for adoption on February 2.

In incredible news, just a day after posting the video on TikTok, the shelter announced that Ellie had found a new forever home.

Originally bred in the late 19th century in the Belgian city of Malines—known as Mechelen in Flemish—the Belgian Malinois were developed for their herding abilities, specifically for driving and guarding livestock.

The breed quickly gained recognition for its intelligence, agility, and loyalty to its owners. Over time, their versatility led to their adoption in various working roles including police work, search and rescue operations, and even serving in the military.

Listed by the American Kennel Club as the 32nd most popular breed in the U.S. today, they are loved as both pets and working dogs.

Viewers of the viral video shared their thoughts, including theories that more pure-bred dogs like Ellie might end up in shelters.

"I'm guessing you're gonna start seeing more and more because people don't research breeds before they get them," suggested one commenter.

While another said: "Great dogs. But they are not a breed for everyone to have as a pet. Hope this beautiful dog finds the right home."

As with all breeds, potential owners should do their research before bringing a Belgian Malinois into their home.

With high energy levels and need for rigorous exercise, the breed requires adequate physical and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.

Their strong prey drive also makes training important to ensure they are safe around small children and other pets.

While novice owners may find the Belgian Malinois overwhelming, they are brilliant dogs for more experienced owners.

Like many shelters around the country, the AHS is facing a pressing capacity crisis. In the last month alone, it has cared for over 1,500 animals—a 4 percent increase on the same time in 2023.

AHS President Dr. Steven Hansen cites housing challenges, missed spay and neuter surgeries, and rising animal abuse cases as contributing factors to the crisis.

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.