Golden Retriever Born With Genetic Mutation Has Grown up A Stunner

Enzo Viola is an extraordinary dog, both uniquely special and irresistibly adorable. He stands out as one of the rare dogs born with a pigmented somatic cell mutation, a condition that gives him a truly distinctive look. Despite its rarity, this mutation doesn’t cause any health problems, making Enzo just as healthy as any other dog.
Ella Castro, Enzo’s owner, shared with the media: “Golden retrievers are typically born with a base black coat, which is transformed into their iconic golden color by a ‘modifier gene.’ Almost all golden retrievers have this gene. However, Enzo experienced a small glitch in his DNA, which erased the modifier on just one part of his face.”

Enzo became part of his family when he was just about two months old, and from the start, he’s been like any other playful puppy. He loves playing, meeting new people, and taking naps—while also having a rare genetic mutation that makes him truly unique.

Although golden retrievers are known for their uniform golden coats, Enzo was born with a distinctive large black patch covering one of his eyes and extending down the side of his face. This striking feature is the result of a rare condition known as a pigmented somatic cell mutation.

“Golden retrievers are born with a base black coat, and a ‘modifier gene’ changes it to their signature golden color,” shared Ella Castro, Enzo’s owner, in an interview with The Dodo. “Almost every golden retriever has this modifier. Enzo, however, had a small glitch in his DNA that removed it from just one part of his face.”

This rare condition makes Enzo an exceptionally special pup, giving him a one-of-a-kind appearance that’s truly unique for his breed.

“This is a rare coat color mutation that usually leads to patches of very dark-colored hair,” explained Dr. Christopher Reeder of BluePearl Veterinary Partners in an interview with The Dodo. “Aside from the unique coat pattern it creates, this mutation doesn’t seem to cause any other negative effects. It’s a condition that can appear in almost any dog breed.”

Even though Enzo is one of a kind, he has no idea he’s any different from other dogs. While people are often intrigued by his unique splotchy face, Enzo couldn’t care less about appearances—he’s too busy trying to befriend everyone he meets, no matter who they are or what they look like.

“Most people don’t realize he’s a golden retriever,” Castro explained. “They often ask about his breed and assume he’s a mutt because goldens are usually solid-colored. He’s incredibly friendly and loves greeting joggers, bikers, and other dogs. If someone’s too busy to say hello, he definitely takes it personally!”

Another unique thing about Enzo is his impressive size for his age.

“People are always surprised by how big he is,” Castro said. “He’s at the upper limit of his size range. I’ve had people assume he’s 5 or 6 months old when, in reality, he’s just barely 13 weeks!”

You can follow Enzo and all of his adventures on his Instagram account.