Enzo was just 2 months old when he joined his new family. He was just like other puppies, loved to meet new people, play and take naps. Enzo is a golden retriever but isn’t like any other golden retriever you’ve seen.
What’s unique about Enzo is that he has a black mark around one of his eyes. Enzo has this splotch because he has a rare medical condition called pigmented somatic cell mutation.
“Golden retrievers are born with a base black coat, with a ‘modifier gene’ that turns them golden. Almost every dog has this modifier. Enzo has a little stumble in his DNA that erased it on that one part of his face,” says Ella Gastro, Enzo’s mom.
Enzo’s condition is really rare and is it makes him a really unique puppy.
“This is a rare coat color mutation, typically resulting in patches of very darkly-colored hair. Other than coat color change and making a very interesting patterned animal, this appears to have no other ill effects. Just about any breed of dog can be affected,” explains Dr. Christopher Reeder of BluePearl Veterinary Partners.
Enzo has no idea he’s so rare and unique. He’s just like any other dog, curious about the world.
“Most people don’t know he’s a golden. They often ask his breed and say they assumed he was a mutt, because goldens are solid colored. He’s a very friendly dog. He loves to greet joggers and bikers and other dogs, and definitely seems to take personal offense any time anyone is too busy to say hello,” says Ella.
