Meet Dawn — the brindle beauty whose story begins with heartbreak… and ends with a family completed.

Professional photography by Marique Photography 

At MuttMix, we get to meet some truly unforgettable dogs – but every now and then, a story lands in our inbox that makes us stop, breathe, and feel it right in the chest.

Dawn is one of those dogs.

When her family first met her at Wetnose Animal Rescue Centre, she was all alone in her camp, her gentle eyes quietly carrying chapters of a life no dog should ever face. She’d been found pregnant and wandering the streets outside Pretoria… and after lovingly raising her puppies and watching them find homes, she remained behind. Again.

Life has a way of surprising you when you least expect it. As her future parents were leaving the rescue – tired, overwhelmed, and convinced they’d met every dog that day – one brindle girl caught their eye.

“Let’s go look at that one last dog…” And that moment changed everything.

From first belly rubs to her first tail wag in obedience school, Dawn’s journey is one of trust, healing, and the power of choosing love – even after life has been unkind.

Curious to know how Dawn settled in, how she blossomed, and what her MuttMix DNA test revealed?

Read on to hear the rest of Dawn’s story, told beautifully by her mom, Jenni.

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Dawn’s Rescue Story – 14 Nov 2024

Written by Jenni Prinsloo

We first met Dawn at Wetnose Animal Rescue Centre on the 12^th of November 2024. She was all alone in her camp, unable to be placed with other dogs. Her gentle eyes told a story long before we knew the details.

Dawn had been found wandering the streets outside Pretoria. She was pregnant at the time, and she safely delivered her puppies at the rescue. One by one, her babies were adopted into loving homes – leaving Dawn behind, alone again.

Our visit to Wetnose was overwhelming. It’s a pro-life rescue, filled with so many dogs and cats being cared for with love, but still waiting for families. We walked through the noisy kennels, meeting dogs one by one. Some were adorable, and we even bonded with one – but it didn’t feel right. I felt frustrated, wanting to take every dog home, and we eventually decided to leave.

As we were walking to the car, Johnaco spotted a brindle-coloured dog off to the side. “Let’s go look at that one last dog,” he said. That moment changed everything.

We met Dawn – playful, curious, and gentle. She hopped into the kiddie pool to cool off from the heat and rolled onto her back, exposing her belly in a moment of trust. Right there, we knew she was our dog. Two days later, on the 14^th of November 2024, we returned to bring her home. From that moment, Dawn’s lonely days were over.

Bringing her home was effortless. She slept on her own bed the first night and was already house-trained – something rare for rescues who often come from outdoor living or the streets.

Over the year, Dawn blossomed. With a healthy diet, she lost weight and gained confidence. We enrolled her in obedience school to help her socialise and to guide us as her handlers. I’m her handler, and she absolutely loves training. After a year, she finally wagged her tail for her classmates – a huge milestone. She’s also incredibly gifted with scent work.

Dawn also loves spending time with her four human grandparents, who adore her just as much as we do. Their visits are always full of cuddles, treats, and happy tail wags, and she clearly cherishes every moment with them.

She also has a favourite lounging position – she loves to lie down like a little bread loaf. Whenever she does, we affectionately call her “Sasko Broodjie”, because she looks just like a perfectly shaped loaf of bread.

Today, Dawn is a deeply loved member of our family. She’s protective, gentle, playful, and sometimes hides her treats in the yard to snack on later. She loves her walks, naps, treats, car rides, her toys, and being part of our home.

Curious about her background, we did a DNA test through MuttMix, a company that donates part of their proceeds to help rescues.

After weeks of waiting, Dawn’s DNA results finally arrived – and opening them felt like unlocking the secret recipe that makes her who she is. While the results could never change how much we love her, they helped explain so many of her quirks, instincts, and loveable traits.

Dawn’s MuttMix DNA revealed that she’s a beautiful blend of:

        18%         Boston Terrier

        18%         American Pit Bull Terrier

        18%         American Staffordshire Terrier

        16%         Doberman Pinscher

        16%         Staffordshire Bull Terrier

        14%         Bulldog

Immediately, all her little behaviours made sense.

• She’s incredibly agile and playful, full of energy and enthusiasm – pure Pit Bull and Staffordshire Terrier spirit. Dawn loves her walks and occasional runs, exploring every corner with excitement. She also loves to use her nose, sniffing everything and confidently marking her territory – instincts that show her natural curiosity, intelligence, and her Pit Bull, Staffordshire Terrier, and Doberman heritage.

• Her loud snoring is definitely thanks to her Bulldog and Boston Terrier genes.

• Her Staffordshire Bull Terrier side shows in her emotional intelligence and her need to be near her family; she reads our moods instantly and always wants to be right next to us. Dawn is a true Velcro dog – she’ll always choose to lie between us on the bed, tucked under all the blankets, just where she can be close to both of us. She loves being near her family and never misses a chance to snuggle.

• Her big, expressive Doberman ears are always on high alert, tuning in to every rustle and tiny sound. We affectionately call them her “antennas” because they move like little radar dishes scanning the world.

• Dawn’s also highly protective of me and Johnaco. Whenever a stranger – or even an acquaintance – comes too close, she positions herself between us and the person, growling or barking to make it clear that her family comes first. It’s her way of showing loyalty, love, and the deep bond she’s formed with us – a trait that reflects her Pit Bull and Doberman heritage.

Her DNA didn’t just give us numbers – it gave us a deeper understanding of the dog who’s become the heart of our home. No matter the percentages, Dawn is 100% loved and 100% family. She’s also 100% dog – full of energy, quirks, and everything that makes her wonderfully Dawn.