Our individual quirks and idiosyncrasies can often add to our attractiveness, and the same goes for our furry friends. Introducing Enzo Viola, a 3-year-old Golden Retriever from Texas who possesses a rare genetic mutation that has caused a unique black patch of fur on his face. Enzo’s special feature has garnered him a devoted following on social media.
Enzo is a typical golden retriever, brimming with happiness and an eagerness to play. Despite his distinctive appearance, he remains blissfully oblivious and enjoys life to the fullest. There’s no shortage of beautiful photos of Enzo on the internet, showcasing him cuddling with his closest companion, indulging in his favorite pastime of napping, and spreading joy wherever he wanders. His bio describes him as a “pro at snoozing, a pilferer of socks, fervent devotee of long walks, giver of countless kisses, and a snuggly ball of fluff.”
While most golden retrievers boast a uniform coat color, Enzo stands out with a striking black patch encircling his eye and stretching down the side of his face. This uncommon feature is the result of a pigmented somatic cell mutation, which sets him apart from the norm.
According to Ella Castro, owner of Enzo, golden retrievers are naturally born with a black coat which is modified by a gene to turn them golden. This modification gene is found in almost all dogs, but Enzo has a unique trait in his DNA that has caused it to disappear from a specific area on his face, resulting in a minor stutter in his genetic makeup.
Enzo is a one-of-a-kind pup due to his exceptional condition, which is not commonly found in his breed. Dr. Christopher Reeder from BluePearl Veterinary Partners explains that Enzo’s coat colour mutation is a rare occurrence and usually causes dark patches of hair. The mutation does not seem to have any harmful effects but adds a fascinating pattern to the coat. It appears that this phenomenon can happen in almost any dog breed.
Enzo, despite being an uncommon breed, remains oblivious to his uniqueness. Although people often find his distinct appearance fascinating, Enzo’s only goal is to befriend whoever he meets, regardless of their background or looks. According to Castro, many individuals are unaware that Enzo is a golden and often mistake him for a mixed-breed due to the breed’s typical solid coloring. Enzo is a highly social dog who relishes greeting anyone who crosses his path, including joggers, cyclists, other dogs, and even strangers. If someone fails to acknowledge him, Enzo seems to take it personally.
Enzo’s exceptional size has been a topic of amazement among people. According to Castro, Enzo is considerably larger than other dogs of his age and falls on the bigger side of his size range. Some even mistook him for a 5 or 6-month-old puppy despite being only 13 weeks old. However, Enzo’s unique appearance and size do not affect his puppy-like behavior as he enjoys being loved by his family, who adore him for being the charming and one-of-a-kind dog that he is.