A Reddit user was astonished to find their fully grown dog remains remarkably small despite having genetic ties to typically large working breeds.

The post,published on February 24,features a series of photos showing a dog that looks almost exactly like a German shepherd—except for one noticeable difference:her size.The canine appears compact and light,defying common expectations about how dogs of such breeds“should”look.

“How is she so tiny??!!!I love it,”wrote Reddit user sorofthelan,noting that her pet is“fully grown and only 35 pounds!”

According to a 2025 Rover.com survey of 1,000 pet owners,only 26%originally had a specific breed in mind when looking for a dog,while 15%actively sought a mixed breed.Instead,size(58%)and temperament or personality(51%)were the top priorities—leading 41%of respondents to say meeting their dog felt like love at first sight.

Shared on the r/DoggyDNA subreddit,the post had received over 600 upvotes at the time of writing.The final slide in the image set reveals the dog’s DNA results,which help explain her surprising appearance.

The test shows she is nearly half Siberian husky(49%),even though she more closely resembles her other ancestry.The remaining breakdown lists her as 31.7%German shepherd and 19.3%Belgian Malinois.

The American Kennel Club(AKC)states that female German shepherds usually weigh 50 to 70 pounds.Siberian huskies typically range from 35 to 50 pounds,while female Belgian Malinois generally weigh between 40 and 60 pounds.Given these averages,the owner’s surprise at her dog’s petite frame becomes more understandable.

Although small in size,the dog likely blends the sociable,family-friendly nature often seen in Siberian huskies with the intelligence and confidence associated with German shepherds.Add to that traits common to Belgian Malinois—a breed known for being athletic and driven—and it’s clear why this pup stands out not only for her stature but also for her unique personality.

Beyond her size,the owner notes that her dog’s temperament leans strongly toward her husky heritage.

“Her personality is SO UNIQUE,”she wrote.“It is insane—she has a husky personality.She’s a yapper for sure!”

The discussion mirrors wider trends in dog adoption today.

The post drew warm and cheerful replies from other Reddit users.

“Beautiful!!What a fun mix,”one person commented.

“I love this portable pup![Of course]you couldn’t say no to that face!”wrote another.

Newsweek contacted u/sorofthelanfor additional comment.The details of the case have not been independently verified.

Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn,an AI assistant,to help prepare this article.Learn more about Martyn.