A Border Collie Golden Retriever crossbreed puppy has been turning heads in real life and online thanks to her unique appearance.
In a series of videos posted to TikTok under the handle @freyjaandlyla, Ashleigh from Newcastle in the Australian state of New South Wales, introduced followers to Freyja and her eye-catching coat. She’s garnered plenty of attention, but that’s nothing new.
“Everyone says she’s very unique and stunning which is exactly what drew us to her,” Ashleigh told Newsweek. “Her siblings had similar markings. They had blue coats with small black spots but she’s the only one with all the bigger patches and the weird lighter gray-brown on her back.”
It was love at first sight for Ashleigh, who found Freyja and her siblings while browsing the listings on the online classified advertisement website Gumtree.
“We only got a puppy called Lyla in May this year so we were just looking for fun and had no intention of another dog,” Ashleigh said. “But we fell in love with her and her sisters so we had to meet them.”
That first meeting changed everything. While it was one thing to see pictures of Freyja on a website, it was only after meeting her and her siblings that she realized just how distinctive she looked.
“I was very taken aback by how unique,” she said. “I honestly fell in love with all of them just based on their looks but once Freyja’s personality started to come out I definitely started to fall in love with her.”
While Ashleigh was smitten, it would appear the feeling was mutual with Freyja taking an immediate liking to her new human friend during that first encounter.
“When we met her she was the most timid pup but within 10 minutes she started smiling and wagging her tail and wanted us to pat her,” Ashleigh said. “The original owner said it took six weeks for her to even go up to them so we knew she was the one.”
Freyja has settled in well since Ashleigh brought her home.
“Her few favorite things to do are eat, beat up her sister Lyla and sleep upside down literally everywhere,” Ashleigh said. “Her most favorite thing is to dig the water bowl then get major zoomies and run around the backyard like a maniac.”
Though some might balk at the idea of adding another dog to the family so soon after getting a puppy, having Freyja around is likely to benefit Lyla in the long-term.
A 2023 study published in the journal Evolution, Medicine, & Public Health found the social support gained from spending time with other dogs was one of the most significant factors in a canine’s overall health. The research found it five times more influential than any financial considerations.
Though it took a little time, Ashleigh is pleased to report Lyla and Freyja are the best of friends.
“It took about two days for Lyla to warm up to Freyja initially but now all they want to do is play and wrestle together,” she said.
