10 Breeds That Look Totally Different As Puppies
We asked Gina DiNardo, breed expert and AKC Executive Secretary, for her list of pups that look most unlike their adult counterparts. Prep yourself for some serious cuteness!
Dalmatian puppy Dikova Maria/bigstock.com, Dalmatian adult carmonaguerrero/bigstock.com
#1 Dalmatian Dalmatians are actually born without spots! The snow-white pups’ trademark coat pattern starts to emerge in the first two weeks. Dalmatians were originally bred to guard horses and coaches. They’re strong athletes with great stamina.
Komondor puppy vauvau/bigstock.com, Komondor adult evdoha/bigstock.com
#2 Komondor Bred to guard sheep at pasture, the Komondor’s trademark coat lets it blend in with its flock, giving it the element of surprise. The cords start to form around nine to ten months old, so Komondor puppies look very different from the adults.
Afghan Hound puppy SergeyTikhomirov/bigstock.com, Afghan Hound adult Wildstrawberry/bigstock.com
#3 Afghan Hound Despite its elegant and regal appearance, the Afghan Hound is a true athlete capable of running at immense speed. Afghan puppies don’t have the long, elegant coat that adults have.
Puli puppy & adult vauvau/bigstock.com
#4 Puli The Puli is very agile and light on its feet, earning a reputation as the “acrobat of the dog world.” The breed’s natural cords don’t start forming until the undercoat comes in at around eight to ten months old.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppy lindasj2/bigstock.com, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier adult Seregraff/bigstock.com
#5 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier This breed is a versatile Irish farm dog that held a lot of jobs in its native Ireland. Among the chores the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier was responsible for are ratting, guarding the chicken coop, and even herding. Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier puppies don’t have the breed’s trademark beard when they’re born.
Bergamasco puppy michelangeloop/bigstock.com, Bergamasco adult Volofin/bigstock.com
#6 Bergamasco The Bergamasco’s eye-catching coat is made up of three different hair textures that form naturally occurring loose mats, or flocks. Its coat provides protection from the bitter cold and wild predators of the Italian Alps, where the Bergamasco originated. You wouldn’t recognize the Bergamasco as a puppy–it doesn’t have its flocks!
Kerry Blue Terrier puppy golubka57/bigstock.com, Kerry Blue Terrier adult har Halavach/bigstock.com
#7 Kerry Blue Terrier Kerry Blue Terriers are actually born black. Their coat begins to fade to grey and acquires its adult color by 18 months.
Saluki puppy Natalia Fedosova/shutterstock.com, Saluki adult Izemphoto/bigstock.com
#8 Saluki One of the oldest breeds, Salukis were favourites of kings throughout history. They are highly adaptable. The feathered Saluki coat type features the beautiful long ear hair that people recognize. Puppies do not have the long hair when they’re born.
Giant Schnauzer puppy & adult frank11/bigstock.com
#9 Giant Schnauzer Originally used to drive cattle from farm to market, Giant Schnauzers later worked as European police and military K-9s. Giant Schnauzer puppies don’t have the highly recognizable beard that the adults have.
GSD puppy Lightman_pic/bigstock.com, GSD adult cynoclub/bigstock.com
#10 German Shepherd DogThe German Shepherd Dog’s ears are floppy when they are born and stand up as they get older. GSD’s are highly intelligent, loyal and courageous, excelling in many different areas.
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