Finding the perfect pet at a local shelter is a rite of passage for many. It starts with perusing, then meeting a potential companion, then deciding it’s the perfect match. But what happens when the pound advertises a dog as one breed, when it’s actually another entirely?
That’s what happened to Houston content creator Jaela Day (@thejaeladay), who went with her husband to the pound to adopt their very first puppy together.
Only a day after said adoption, she and her husband realized that the “pit bull” mix they selected may not have any pit bull in it. Instead, they realized they may have accidentally adopted a Belgian Malinois.
As of this writing, Jaela’s post has more than 1.2 million views.
How did she get the wrong dog?
Jaela filmed her video while standing outside her home at 7am. There, with the camera pointed toward her, she began telling her audience how she ended up adopting a puppy with her husband.
“ We have been wanting a dog for a very long time,” she said. “This is our first pet together, so I’m super excited. We went to the pound yesterday and got him.”
Jaela clarified, however, that there were two breeds that she absolutely “did not want.” The breeds in question were a Siberian Husky, due to the weather in Texas, and a Belgian Malinois. She explained that Belgian Malinois dogs seemed particularly “crazy,” which made her hesitant to adopt one.
When they were at the pound, they saw a “cute, little puppy.” The pound advertised the dog as a “pit bull-terrier mix.”
She then flipped her camera to show what the supposed pit bull-terrier mix actually looks like.
“ I would like for you guys to look at this dog and tell me if he is a pit bull-terrier mix, because I’m starting to think that he is not,” she said, while holding the dog’s head and gently shifting it toward the camera.
Commenters agree: It’s not a pit bull
The comments section saw the situation as at least somewhat humorous. Viewers quickly pointed out that the dog Jaela adopted looked like a Belgian Malinois. It did not have any features of a pit bull or a terrier.
“He looks like my pit bull Ody, if Ody was a Belgian Malinois,” one viewer jestingly said.
Another added, “I have three pits. You have zero.”
What’s the issue with Belgian Malinois dogs?
Belgian Malinois dogs, according to the American Kennel Club, are “alert herders” that usually stand at around 22 to 26 inches. Most dog trainers consider them to be strong and well-muscled. The American Kennel Club adds that owners have to regularly engage with their Belgian Malinois dogs.
“Exercise, and plenty of it, preferably side by side with [its] owner, is paramount to the breed’s happiness,” The American Kennel Club adds.
Online, many agree that Belgian Malinois have intense physical and social needs, which make them a suitable dog for some, but a bad match for others.
“Are you ready to practically devote your life to training and interacting with your dog? Because that’s the type of commitment that comes with this breed,” one commenter, who responded to a post on r/Belgianmalinois, said. “They can be very dangerous if not trained properly but a loving, loyal and fierce protector if you do it right.”
Another commenter said, “They are absolutely fantastic dogs when handled properly, but they’re not really a pet, more of a lifestyle.”
Then a third added, “There’s no in between with these dogs. You’ll either love them and the chaos they bring into your home, or you’ll regret the day you ever brought the dog home.”
An update on Alonzo
In an update to Subplot, Jaela said, “Alonzo is doing amazing! He is such a smart and impressionable puppy, which has made it easy for us to help him adjust to his new environment while teaching him the expectations and boundaries of our home.”
She said that while her feelings regarding the breed have not changed, Alonzo is a permanent part of her and her husband’s family.
“My husband and I got married in April, and we knew even before then that we wanted to start a family by adding a dog,” she said. “We looked multiple times, and Alonzo was the first dog we truly felt a connection with. So no, my feelings haven’t changed about the breed, but I believe we got the dog we were destined to have. Even if he requires more work, we will do it because he is ours!”
@thejaeladay Did I just bring home….a Belgian Malanois??? Best case, it’s a German shepherd 😂😂😂 #puppytiktok #puppiesoftiktok #dogowner #blackdogmom ♬ original sound – Jaela Day
Regarding the DNA test, Jaela told her audience that it still isn’t a priority for her or her husband.
“I shared the viral video with social media because I thought it was funny and ironic that God will give you the exact opposite of what you ask for sometimes,” she said. “But I cannot let them [fear-monger] me into making that our priority. After doing some research, those tests are $140-$220, and while we can afford it, Alonzo needs other things that we want to spend that money on (ex: vaccines, training, grooming, brain stimulating toys, etc.).”
