When Brett Miller adopted a rescue dog named Birdie, he knew she was a mixed breed — but he had no idea exactly what she was… until he paid for a DNA test that completely upended all expectations. What started out as a simple curiosity turned into a revealing story about breed assumptions, travel plans, and the surprising genetic makeup of rescue pups.

Birdie came into Brett’s life as a quirky, lovable dog with a look that had people scratching their heads. She didn’t fit a neat breed mold, and that got Brett thinking: what exactly was in her DNA? More importantly, he hoped knowing her genetic background would help clear up a practical concern — whether she could travel with him by plane.

Many airlines restrict certain dog breeds — especially those with wide chests or short snouts — for safety reasons. Pit bulls and some bully breeds, for example, often fall into these categories because of potential respiratory issues. That means identifying a dog’s breed mix isn’t just trivia — it can literally shape travel plans and lifestyle choices.

Brett sent off a DNA kit and waited — not quite prepared for the results. When the report arrived, Birdie’s breed breakdown was unlike anything he (or most people online) had guessed. Instead of a strong pit bull or bully mix, Birdie’s DNA showed she was 31% American Bully, with significant portions of Chihuahua (14%) and Pomeranian (13%), along with super mutt (13%) and poodle (10%). Smaller contributions came from other breeds such as chow chow and German Shepherd, and surprisingly, only 4% pit bull.



For Brett, the results were both shocking and incredibly relieving. Because Birdie wasn’t genetically heavy in breeds commonly restricted by airlines — and her snout is more like a smaller breed’s than a traditional bully’s — the test actually opened up options for travel that might have been ruled out otherwise.

“I was shocked and happy because that meant she could fly,” he said, noting that her shorter Chihuahua‑style muzzle makes her less prone to the health issues that often affect heavy‑snouted breeds.

Online reaction to Birdie’s DNA story has been enthusiastic. The video Brett shared on TikTok, where he reads her breed percentages, has racked up millions of views and hundreds of thousands of likes, with people charmed by both the unexpected mix and Birdie’s friendly demeanor throughout.

Many viewers expressed delight at seeing how a dog’s appearance doesn’t always tell the full breed story — a reminder of just how varied “mutt” can really be.

Experts and dog owners alike note that mixed‑breed dogs often surprise us precisely because visual guesses about breed are notoriously unreliable.

Shelters and rescues frequently make educated guesses based on appearance and behavior, but genetics often paints a more complex picture. In fact, research shows that visual breed identification can be accurate just ~27% of the time — even among experienced observers.

@brettneyspears

She’s 100% that b*tch, amiright Lizzo???? #dog

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Birdie’s results also highlight something many dog lovers already instinctively know: a dog’s personality and connection with its people are far more meaningful than the specific breeds listed on a paper.

Birdie is described as playful, social, and great in the car — traits that suit her just as well as any breed label could.

For Brett, the DNA test did more than answer a curiosity — it helped him better understand Birdie and plan for a future that includes traveling together.

More importantly, it reminded everyone watching that rescue dogs often hold delightful surprises in their genes, just waiting to be uncovered.

In the end, Birdie’s DNA story isn’t just about breed percentages — it’s about celebrating uniqueness and embracing every dog’s individual journey, no matter how unusual their genetic mix might be.