Dog lover paid over $850 for a ‘purebred’ puppy — 9 months later, a DNA test exposed the scam

A dog owner was shocked by the results of her pup’s DNA test months after she was upcharged for the adoption of a purebred dog. A Reddit user (u/Ashleyrose245) explained she had qualms about the dog’s breed from the beginning, but was convinced by the shelter to pay $850 for his pure lineage. Later, the pet owner decided to verify his breed with a DNA test and was surprised to find that her doubts were on point. She shared pictures of the pup along with the test results, revealing his breed composition.

In a viral post with 775 upvotes, the Reddit user complained about the high fees charged by the shelter when she adopted Beefcake. He was sold as a purebred Labrador Retriever, as his mom came from a Lab breeder, while Beefcake was born at the rescue. The dog owner initially fostered him as a puppy and eventually adopted him. “The rescue charged a higher price because they were so certain he was purebred, even though I questioned it since he was six weeks old,” she wrote. At nine months old, the owner finally confirmed the dog’s true lineage through a DNA test. 

Annoyed by the higher price, including fees and taxes, the owner marked her pup as a “mutt”, meaning a dog with an uncertain pedigree. “It's extremely frustrating they upcharged his adoption fees for being 'purebred,' but oh well. I love him either way and wouldn't trade him for the world,” she concluded. The post included two pictures, one of her adorable mixed-breed beige Lab, and the other of his DNA results. It said Beefcake was 79.4% Lab, 10.4% Collie, 5.7% German Shepherd, and 4.5% Golden Retriever. 

A discussion erupted in the comments section with fellow pet owners chiming in with their insights. “It’s harder to see the mix in these for sure. Puppies are tricky! So adorable though,” said u/Youreturningviolet. Another user (u/inconspicuous_crane) echoed, “I'm always so frustrated when shelters/rescues charge more for "purebred" dogs because of this reason! What a cutie though, I can definitely see that Collie influence coming through!” Responding to the comment, the dog owner disclosed that Beefcake and his siblings were priced approximately $300 higher than all other puppies at the rescue. “It sucks he was so much, but there's no way I was letting him leave my home. I've always had Labs, and there have been so many indicators to me that he was mixed,” she added. 

However, the popular opinion was that most rescue shelters charge the same flat price for puppies, regardless of their breeds. "I’ve never heard of a shelter charging more for a purebred. Unless you specifically wanted him for hunting,” argued u/Independent-Dark-955. Purebred dogs are often desirable for their predictable traits and characteristics, which are achieved through selective breeding for generations. This is beneficial for owners wanting a specific temperament, coat type, size, and energy level. But mixed breeds are more likely to have a longer lifespan and reduce the risk of inherited health conditions, per The Natural Dog.