A TikTok video showing the surprising result of a golden retriever crossed with a cavalier King Charles spaniel has left dog lovers intrigued.

The puppy, named Niko (@nikotheminigolden), has quickly become a sensation on the platform, racking up more than 632,000 views and earning the affectionate nickname “mini golden retriever” from his owner.

According to comments on the video, Niko was purchased from a local family breeder. His owner shared footage of the pet as a tiny puppy, telling users in the comments that he has the “same golden energy,” but is “smaller in size.”

Now 8 months old, Niko weighs 34 pounds—already surpassing the typical adult cavalier, which averages around 18 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). By comparison, a male golden retriever can reach 23 to 24 inches in height and weigh up to 75 pounds, while cavaliers stand closer to 13 to 14 inches.

Designer Dog Debate

Niko’s rise to fame comes amid growing interest in designer crossbreeds. Last year, the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) conducted the world’s largest study into the health of popular mixes such as cockapoos, Labradoodles, and cavapoos.

Surveying more than 9,400 U.K. owners, researchers compared crossbreeds with their purebred parents across 57 common disorders.

The findings challenge the widespread belief that designer dogs are inherently healthier. In 86.6 percent of cases, health risks were similar between crossbreeds and purebreds. Where differences did exist, accounting for 13.4 percent of comparisons, risks were nearly evenly split: crossbreeds showed slightly higher odds for conditions such as ear infections, itchy skin, and gastrointestinal problems, but lower odds for issues such as patellar luxation compared to poodles.

Another U.S. survey of more than 20,000 dogs from three private veterinary practices found no difference in life span between mixed-breed and purebred dogs.

Experts emphasize that prospective owners should focus less on assumptions about health advantages and more on breed suitability, welfare standards, and lifestyle compatibility when choosing a dog.

Newsweek previously spoke to vet Dr. Pete Wedderburn, who shared five ways in which owners can help their pups live longer.

“Dogs can’t design their own lives,” he said. “They depend on us to impose the shape of their lives.”

TikTok Reacts

Stock images: a cavalier King Charles spaniel sits on the grass, left; and a golden retriever rests in a park, right. | DevidDO/Arvydas Lakacauskas/iStock / Getty Images Plus

As Niko’s video continues to spread, TikTok users have weighed in with their own takes.

One commenter wrote: “Golden retriever poodle mix is better but still cute.”

Another added: “That’s a puppy. There is NO mini Golden Retriever.”

Despite the debate, Niko’s adorable appearance has won over thousands of viewers, proving that, whether purebred or crossbreed, the charm of man’s best friend is universal.