Apricot is one of those little dogs that seems to have come straight out of a fairy tale — or rather, a Disney cartoon.
With caramel fur dotted with white spots , she won thousands of hearts on social media for reminding us of none other than Bambi, the adorable deer that marked generations.
But unlike the character in the movies, Apricot wags his tail and loves a snack.
Rescued from the streets of Ghana as a puppy, Apricot had a difficult start in life.
According to the owner — who shares videos of the dog on TikTok ( @apricottheghanadog ) —, she was found starving, full of worms and just a few days old.
Now, living in the United States, the story has completely changed: she has a little Shih Tzu sister, gets lots of affection, treats, and even had knee surgery to treat an old injury.
And yes, he is recovering very well!
But it was her charming appearance that truly captured the hearts of netizens.
The light brown fur combined with white spots made many people think they were seeing a small deer.
“I know it’s a deer, you can’t fool me,” joked one follower.
“Bambi in puppy form,” said another.
Even the official YouTube account joined in the fun:
“I could see her running through a field of flowers, to be honest.”
The most curious thing is that, according to her owner, Apricot didn’t have these spots when she was rescued. They appeared over time, which only increased the charm and mystery surrounding the little dog’s appearance.
With so many people asking about Apricot’s breed, her owner decided to take a DNA test. The results were surprising: Apricot is 100% West African village dog .
What is a Village Dog?
According to Embark , a reference in genetic testing for dogs, so-called “village dogs” are the oldest and most natural form of dog in existence .
It is estimated that, of the approximately 1 billion dogs in the world, the majority do not descend from modern purebreds or mixed breeds, but rather from these indigenous populations, shaped by nature and spontaneous coexistence with humans over millennia.
Village dog vs. purebred dog
The village dog is not a mongrel (mixed breed), but it is not considered a purebred dog either.
Pedigree dogs have been carefully selected by humans over time based on specific characteristics.
Village dogs, on the other hand, reproduce freely and evolve on their own , adapting to the environments and lifestyles of the regions where they live.
This makes them genetically more diverse and with an adaptable physical structure, typically medium in size, with a pointed snout and an agile appearance.
In Apricot’s case, as a West African village dog, she is part of a unique lineage that has existed for generations in the region.
These dogs can live in deserts, forests, plains, and mountains—and as independent and resourceful as they are, when adopted young and raised with love, they become incredible companions.
