Written by Megan Panton of MuttMix and Pieter Bosch
MuttMix writes...
Sometimes you look at a dog and think you have their breed mix completely figured out.
Raiku was one of those dogs.
Rescued from heart-breaking circumstances and weighing less than 700 grams – the weight of a loaf of bread – when he arrived home, this tiny pup quickly grew into a confident, intelligent force of nature. With his colouring, build and larger-than-life personality, there were plenty of guesses about what breeds might be hiding in his DNA.
Then his MuttMix DNA results arrived – and they weren’t what anyone expected.
But the biggest surprise came afterwards. As Raiku grew, trained and developed his own remarkable personality, those unexpected breed results began explaining more and more about him.
So, what exactly is hiding inside Raiku’s DNA – and just how accurately did it predict the dog he was becoming?
Keep reading. This is where things get really interesting.
RAIKU MAHIKAN: OUR LITTLE THUNDER LIGHTNING WOLF
Written by Pieter Bosch
Professional photography by BlissfulTails
Some dogs enter your life quietly. Others arrive like a bolt of lightning and change everything.
After losing three beloved senior dogs to old age within the span of a year, our home felt very different. While our rescue cats carried on as usual, our Alaskan Malamute, Moya, had lost the canine companions she’d shared her life with for so many years. The house felt quieter, and it was obvious that she missed having another dog around. We knew that when the time was right, we’d find her a new friend.
What stood out was his attitude
One day, while scrolling through Facebook, a photograph from Place a Pup Rescue Organisation caught our attention. The tiny puppy staring back at us looked far too small for the enormous personality hiding behind those eyes. We immediately knew we had to meet him.
Raiku and his siblings had been rescued from difficult circumstances and needed intensive care, proper nutrition and medical treatment. Thanks to the dedication of the Place a Pup team, they were given a second chance.
When Raiku came home, he weighed less than 700 grams. He was covered in fleas and his little body showed signs of his difficult start. But what stood out most was his attitude: fearless, curious and full of life. Despite his tiny size, he seemed convinced he was ten times bigger. With good food, veterinary care and plenty of love, he grew stronger and healthier every week.
We named him Raiku Mahikan – Thunder Lightning Wolf. Thunder represents the impact he’s had on our lives, lightning his intelligence and energy, and wolf his loyalty and independent spirit.
As the days turned into weeks, the transformation was remarkable. Good food, veterinary care, plenty of rest, and lots of love helped him heal completely. The wounds disappeared, the fleas became a distant memory, and his weight started climbing at an impressive rate. Every week revealed a stronger, healthier, and more confident version of the puppy we’d first brought home.
As Raiku grew, his intelligence became impossible to ignore. Puppy classes quickly showed what we’d already suspected. He was a fast learner with an eagerness to engage with everything around him. New commands, environments, and challenges were met with excitement rather than hesitation. His instructors were impressed by how quickly he picked up concepts, and he continues to thrive in training and socialisation.
What his DNA revealed
Like many owners of mixed-breed rescue dogs, we wondered what breeds made up this fascinating little dog. Most people guessed German Shepherd and Labrador, but his MuttMix DNA results revealed a more unusual mix:
Raiku’s MuttMix Results:
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23% Newfoundland
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22% Chinese Shar Pei
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19% English Shepherd
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18% English Pointer
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18% Collie
Suddenly, everything started making sense.
The Shar Pei heritage explained his wonderfully expressive, slightly wrinkled face and the loose skin around his neck that had already become one of his most distinctive features. The Newfoundland influence helped explain his substantial frame, gentle nature, and impressive growth rate. The English Shepherd, Collie, and Pointer contributed the intelligence, athleticism, awareness, and trainability that we see every day.
Even his appearance began to make more sense. His wrinkled face, sturdy build, athletic proportions, and perfectly straight little dipstick tail all seemed like pieces of a puzzle that had finally come together. What we originally thought might be a straightforward Shepherd-type mix turned out to be something far more unique.
The DNA results also helped us understand how to approach his future training. Rather than simply teaching obedience, we can now focus on developing the natural strengths that come from a blend of herding, hunting, working, and guardian breeds. Understanding where those instincts come from allows us to channel them positively and provide the mental and physical challenges he clearly thrives on.
The confidence of a king
At four-and-a-half months, Raiku weighed 15 kilograms. By the time of our update, he weighed 23kg. It’s hard to believe he’s the same puppy who arrived weighing less than 700 grams.
We love watching him at working-dog puppy school, where he happily holds his own alongside Belgian Malinois puppies. He’s confident without needing to prove himself: when another puppy barks or tries to throw its weight around, Raiku often stands his ground and calmly assesses the situation. Then playtime starts, and he throws himself into games with energy and enthusiasm. He plays hard, learns quickly and generally stays friendly throughout. He never relies on aggression. Instead, he relies on confidence, intelligence, and skill.
His instructors have also noticed how calmly he works around nervous or overexcited dogs. One of our favourite photographs shows him holding a stay while activity carries on around him.
A friend for Moya
Perhaps the most beautiful chapter of Raiku’s story, however, is his relationship with Moya. From the moment they met, a bond began to form. Today they’re completely inseparable.
They play together, sleep together, explore together, and keep a constant eye on one another. Wherever Moya goes, Raiku is usually not far behind. What started as our search for a companion for Moya became a friendship that exceeded every expectation we had.
For Moya, who’d lost the canine companions she’d known for years, Raiku brought back something that had been missing. And for Raiku? Moya became his mentor, protector, and best friend. Even the rescue cats have gradually accepted that this energetic newcomer is now a permanent member of the family.
Raiku has brought laughter, energy, purpose, and joy back into a home that had experienced significant loss. While we still cherish the memories of the dogs who came before him, he’s helped us begin an exciting new chapter.
Looking at him today, it’s hard to believe that this healthy, confident young dog was once a tiny puppy rescued from such difficult circumstances. His journey is a testament to resilience, the incredible work of animal rescue organisations, and the difference that love, care, and dedication can make in an animal’s life.
A second chance
MuttMix gave us more than a list of breed percentages; it offered another way to understand Raiku and consider how best to support him as he grows. The results are a useful piece of the puzzle, alongside what we learn by living and training with him.
Place a Pup gave Raiku and his siblings a second chance at life. Raiku has brought laughter and energy back into our home, and a wonderful new friendship into Moya’s. From a tiny, vulnerable puppy to a confident young dog, he’s already made an unforgettable mark on our family. Our little Thunder Lightning Wolf is growing fast, and we’re looking forward to whatever comes next.
