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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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A new Dalmatian owner has gone viral after discovering a unique pattern hidden among her puppy’s spots.
On January 19, Crystal Chavez (@crystalchavez_) shared a TikTok video showing her puppy, Disno, resting in the car.
As he sleeps, the camera zooms in on his belly—revealing a cluster of three connected spots that look unmistakably like Disney’s iconic silhouette. The marking resembles Mickey Mouse’s round head and ears, which is also how Disno got his name.
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The video quickly exploded online, earning over 1.4 million views and more than 284,000 likes at the time of writing.
Why Dalmatian Spots Are So Unique
Experts at the American Kennel Club say Dalmatian puppies are born completely white, with none of the spots the breed is known for. Much like in 101 Dalmatians, their markings gradually appear as they grow.
And those spots are truly one of a kind. No two Dalmatians share the same pattern—their coats are as individual as human fingerprints. Someone should have told the movie villain Cruella de Vil: even if she had managed to steal a few puppies, every patch would have been different, making a perfectly matched fur coat impossible.
TikTok Reacts
The clip not only amused viewers but also tapped into nostalgia for Disney’s 1961 animated film.
"The fact that he is a Dalmatian just makes it 100x better," said one user, clearly linking the moment to 101 Dalmatians.
Another commented: "Missed opportunity to name him Pongo or literally any of the 101 Dalmatians." Chavez responded in another comment that Disno is "a little more unique."
Can Movies Influence Dog Breed Trends?
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While TikTok users fixate on Disney connections, research shows that movies can genuinely influence the popularity of certain dog breeds—sometimes for years.
A 2014 study from the University of Bristol, the City University of New York, and Western Carolina University found that dog movies can boost a breed’s popularity for up to a decade, especially when the film has a strong opening weekend.
The effect was strongest in the early 20th century, but still significant today. For example:
- Lassie Come Home of 1943 was followed by a 40 percent rise in collie dog registrations over the next two years.
- Disney’s The Shaggy Dog from 1959 caused Old English sheepdog registrations to skyrocket nearly 100‑fold.
Researchers say these surges behave like fashion trends—breeds become wildly popular, then rapidly fall out of favor. And, crucially, popularity doesn’t reflect a breed’s health or temperament. In fact, earlier work by the same team shows that the most-popular breeds often suffer the highest number of inherited health problems.
Experts warn that, when people buy dogs simply because they saw them on screen, it can fuel irresponsible breeding and lead families to choose pets that don’t fit their lifestyle. While it is natural to be influenced by beloved films, the researchers say dog ownership should be driven by thoughtful decisions—not passing trends.
Newsweek reached out to @crystalchavez_ for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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