Rare green puppy born amongst a litter of eight in Canada

green puppy born in litter of eight in Canada
(Image credit: Facebook / @audra.rhys)

A Canadian couple has shared the moment their beloved Bulldog, Freya, gave birth to a green puppy.

News of the adorable green arrival was posted on Facebook by owners Trevor and Audra Mosher, who live in the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia. 

At first, Freya gave birth to seven normal colored puppies. That was until puppy number eight turned up.

“We started to dry her off and noticed she was green and immediately again thought there was something wrong”, they explained in their social media post after they thought the pup wasn’t breathing at first.

“So we Googled it, ‘my puppy is green, what’s wrong?,’ and apparently it is very rare and it has happened [only] a few times all over the world.”

The tiny green pup - who they’re considering naming Fiona (after Shrek’s beloved Princess), Hulkette, Pistachio, or Wasabi - was born in a black sac. In comparison, her seven siblings were born in translucent sacs, which may explain why they’re not green.

It’s believed that this tinge of green is a result of the canine’s fur coming into contact with green bile biliverdin whilst developing in the womb.

“I wish the color would stay, it would be really cool!” they exclaimed.

However, the color will fade over time and the unnamed female will be the same as her siblings in no time.

“I’m kind of amazed, really. As rare as it seems to be, I feel very lucky to have witnessed it and be a part of it”, said Trevor.

Dr Bronwyn Crane, a veterinary reproduction specialist from the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada, explained how the likelihood of a dog ever having a green youngster among their litter is less than one in 10,000.

Trevor continued: “I know you hear stories about things like that but to be there and witness it, it was good."

Chloe Petrylak

Chloe is a freelance writer, editor, and proofreader, who has more than ten years’ experience in creating animal-focussed content. From National Geographic to Animal Planet, Chloe’s passion for creating fact-filled features all about wildlife and the environment is evident. But it’s not just wild animals that Chloe’s fascinated by. Having written more than 75 articles for PetsRadar - and having her very own four-legged friend by her side - it’s no wonder that her love of dogs (and, of course, cats) has grown exponentially.  

Her website, www.chloemaywrites.com, and social media pages - @ChloeMayWrites on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter - showcase her knowledge through daily facts and trivia tidbits. For example, did you know that snails have teeth?!