A furless rescue dog is melting hearts online – because he’s constantly smiling.
Please turn off
your ad blocking software to view this video
Chupey, who is almost two years old, has a permanent grin on his face due to a birth defect, which left his lips unable to cover his teeth.
His owner Kaley Carlyle, 28, had been rescuing dogs part time for five years before she came across wolf-like Chupey as a newborn pup in October 2018.
The radiation therapist, who hails from Georgia, US, said: “A woman who had previously brought me a litter of puppies which had seizures came back to me again with another litter of three puppies – two were healthy and one was really different and looked a bit like a wolf.
Chupey with his owner Kaley Carlyle. Credit: Mercury Press
“I had to make a deal with the lady, agreeing that she spayed the litter’s mum and in turn I’d take in the puppy that was different to the others, who was Chupey.”
Adding: “We couldn’t figure out what was wrong with him at first, he had a different physical appearance to most dogs because he’s hairless, his ears are inside out, he has little beady eyes and of course his teeth are always on show, giving him his smile.
“It turned out that he had bad liver problems, which made him really exhausted all the time and he would even sleep for around 23 hours per day – and he only weighs 2st 5lbs.”
The special needs pooch is now happy and healthy after being put on special food to help his liver problems.
Credit: Mercury Press
Due to his lack of fur, he has to wear sunscreen when it’s hot and has an array of cute outfits to flaunt when it’s cold to keep him warm.
His name is a clever spin on the Mexican folklore creature, the Chupacabra, as Kaley believes he hugely resembles a coyote or wolf and smiles like a hyena.
A special dog’s DNA test showed that he is not a mythical beast, but in fact a fun-loving pitbull and rottweiler cross. And the unique pooch has racked up thousands of fans on social media for his constant grin.
Kaley added: “My favourite thing about Chupey is his attitude – he always wants to be part of what you’re doing and does a little shimmy dance when he’s excited.
Credit: Mercury Press
“He’s also insanely cuddly – if you get out a blanket he comes running straight away and will bark at you until you let him under.
“It’s so important to adopt dogs because I see thousands of mixed breeds getting euthanised every day in the south of North America,” she continued.
“I think people need to give special needs dogs a chance and look at the dogs that aren’t as beautiful and striking as the rest. I hope I can encourage people to look at dogs differently and understand that personality is more important than looks.”
Credit: Mercury Press
What a cutie!
