It had been a long and tiring pregnancy for Rio, a stunning golden retriever in Scotland. This was not her first time becoming a mother, but her latest litter was far larger than before. Her owner, Louise Sutherland, was thrilled yet anxious. The veterinarian had warned that this pregnancy would be demanding, requiring close monitoring and assistance during labor.
Louise adored Rio with all her heart. She had fallen in love with the golden retriever’s affectionate personality and gentle nature, which made her decide that others should experience the same joy. That’s why Rio had been bred a second time—to bring more golden retriever puppies into the world. What she didn’t know was that this pregnancy would turn into an extraordinary event that would leave veterinarians stunned and dog lovers across the world in awe.
Preparing for a New Litter
Louise had taken every precaution to ensure Rio’s health throughout the pregnancy. An early ultrasound had revealed a remarkable sight—nine little heartbeats on the screen. That meant Rio was expecting nine puppies! For a golden retriever, this was a fairly large litter, but nothing out of the ordinary. They usually have anywhere between four to twelve puppies in a single pregnancy.
Excited yet nervous, Louise prepared everything for the big day. She set up a whelping box lined with soft blankets, creating a warm and safe space where Rio could deliver her pups. She also gathered all the essential supplies: clean towels, gloves, puppy collars in different colors, and a suction bulb to help clear the newborns’ airways if needed.
As the due date approached, Rio’s body showed clear signs that labor was imminent. She became restless, searching for a comfortable spot to settle down. Finally, on the 63rd day after conception—the exact duration of a typical canine pregnancy—Rio went into labor.
The Arrival of the Puppies
Rio’s labor began just as expected. Louise and her daughter, Claire, stayed by her side, ready to assist if needed. The first puppy, however, proved to be a challenge. He seemed stuck, and despite Rio’s efforts, he wasn’t coming out.
Concerned for both the puppy and the mother, Louise and Claire jumped into action. Carefully, they helped guide the pup into the world, ensuring his safety. It was a tense moment, but finally, the little one was out, alive and well.
After the initial struggle, the rest of the puppies started arriving more smoothly. One after another, Rio delivered beautiful, healthy golden retriever pups. Louise carefully recorded each birth, weighed the puppies, and placed a small colored collar on each one to keep track of them. Seven boys and one girl joined the world, each one appearing perfectly normal—until the fifth puppy arrived.
A Puppy Like No Other
Halfway through the birthing process, Rio took a short break, resting for about 15 minutes before continuing. Then, as the next puppy emerged, Louise and Claire gasped in shock.
This puppy wasn’t golden like his siblings. He was green.
A soft mossy green color covered his entire body, making him look like a little creature straight out of a fairy tale. Louise had never seen anything like it before. Was something wrong with him? Had he been born sick?
Despite his unusual appearance, the puppy was healthy—crying, squirming, and eager to snuggle close to his mother. His size, weight, and features were all normal. The only difference was his completely unexpected green fur.
The Science Behind the Green Puppy
After the initial shock wore off, Louise did what any responsible dog owner would do—she called the veterinarian. Even the vet was stunned, admitting that this was an incredibly rare occurrence.
The green color, as it turns out, was caused by a pigment called biliverdin, which is found in bile. This same pigment is responsible for the greenish color that appears in bruises as they heal. Sometimes, if there is an unusually high concentration of biliverdin in the amniotic fluid—the protective fluid surrounding the puppies inside the womb—it can stain the puppy’s light-colored fur.
Because golden retrievers have such light coats, the pigment had visibly stained this particular puppy. The green tint wasn’t harmful in any way, and the vet reassured Louise that it would gradually fade over time. Within a few weeks, the puppy would likely turn golden like his siblings.
Realizing the unique nature of this little pup, Louise and Claire decided to give him a special name—Forest, a nod to his unusual green hue.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Event
The birth of a green puppy is so rare that only three other cases have been documented in the world before Forest.
In 2017, a chocolate Labrador in England gave birth to a green puppy named Fiona. Similarly, a Great Dane in Spain delivered a green-tinged puppy alongside its normal-colored sibling. Another case involved two green cocker spaniel puppies born in the same litter, also in Spain.
Despite its rarity, the green coloration is purely cosmetic and poses no risk to the puppy’s health. Within days or weeks, the green hue fades completely as the puppy grows and his fur regenerates.
For Louise, the experience was nothing short of magical. “What a fright I got!” she recalled. “I phoned the vet because I thought there was something wrong. Even the vet didn’t know much about it.”
A Happy Ending for Rio and Her Puppies
After a grueling 32-hour labor, Rio finally had all nine puppies by her side. It was a long and exhausting process, but she had pulled through like a champion.
Now, with her work done, Rio could finally rest and enjoy being a mother. She proved to be as devoted as ever, carefully tending to her newborns, feeding them, and keeping them warm.
Louise, too, was thrilled with the new additions to their home. Though raising nine puppies would be no small task, she was ready to care for them until they were old enough to go to their forever homes.
Choosing a Forever Home for Forest
As the puppies grew, they began developing their own little personalities. Each one was playful, affectionate, and full of life. Louise and her family were careful in selecting the perfect homes for each of them.
However, there was one tough decision left to make—which puppy would they keep?
“We’re keeping one of the boys, but we haven’t decided yet,” Louise said. “We’re waiting until their personalities come out.”
But deep down, everyone suspected the answer.
Forest, the once-in-a-lifetime green puppy, had stolen their hearts.
It seemed only fitting that the rarest puppy of them all would stay right where he belonged—with the family that had helped him into the world.
Final Thoughts
The birth of Forest was more than just an unusual scientific phenomenon—it was a reminder of how nature always finds ways to surprise us.
Golden retrievers are known for their kind, loving nature, and Forest was no exception. Though he started his life as a peculiar green pup, he would soon grow into the same beautiful golden coat as his siblings.
His story, however, would always be one of wonder and rarity—a tale that captured the hearts of dog lovers everywhere.
