Valentina’s Incredible Transformation & DNA Test Results—You Won’t Believe Her Breed!
When Animal Friends of the Valleys called us about a severely neglected dog in desperate need of help, we knew we had to step in. The shelter couldn’t keep her due to the severity of her condition, and most rescues couldn’t afford the cost of treatment. When we arrived, the smell alone told us how dire her situation was—nothing had ever hit my nose quite like that. (Watch DNA Reveal in Video Above or Keep Scrolling)
Her skin was literally coming off in our hands. She was covered in infected wounds, caked in filth, and barely clinging to life. No one knew how she had survived this long. The shelter initially thought she might have been hit by a car because of her extensive injuries. Her ears were cropped in what appeared to be a botched at-home job. She was in so much pain that even touching her was a struggle. But despite everything, Valentina had a spark in her eyes—a will to fight.
A Tough Road to Recovery
After rushing her to the vet, we learned that Valentina was suffering from an extreme case of Pyoderma, a bacterial skin infection. She also had countless foxtails embedded deep into her skin. The only way to begin her healing was to shave her down completely and submerge her in a medicated bath—while under anesthesia—so the vet team could clean and treat her properly.
The process was long and grueling. For over 60 days, she received intensive medical care, pain management, and rehabilitation. Slowly, she transformed. Her wounds healed, her confidence grew, and eventually, she was ready to leave the vet’s care and head to our farm, Flip’s Farm, for behavioral rehabilitation.
Meet the Real Valentina: A Playful, Happy Puppy
When I first carried her out of the shelter, she was weak, quiet, and clinging to life. But as her health returned, so did her energy—and wow, we were not prepared for the level of puppy chaos she had in store for us.
She was a force of nature. Tearing up the floors, chewing through walls, and shredding anything she could get her paws on. At first, we thought, okay, she just needs exercise. Nope. Even with hours of running, playing, and training, she still had endless energy.
But what we realized was that Valentina wasn’t acting out of anxiety—she was in survival mode. Abandoned in a house, left to fend for herself, she had no reason to believe that humans would take care of her. Slowly, with consistency, structure, and lots of love, she started to understand that she was safe. That she didn’t need to fight for every second of her survival.
And that’s when the real Valentina started to shine. She’s affectionate, playful, and smart. She’s learning boundaries (though she loves testing them), and she’s finally ready for the next chapter of her life.
The DNA Reveal—What Breed is Valentina?
We knew we had to do a DNA test. With her tall, lean build and jet-black coat, we had no idea what she could be. We asked everyone to guess—some thought Giant Schnauzer, others guessed Schnoodle, Portuguese Water Dog, a mix of Rottweiler, Poodle, or even a Black Russian Terrier. Well, the results are in.
Drumroll, please…
Valentina is 94.6% Schnauzer! That’s right—she’s nearly purebred.
The remaining 5.4%? A rare breed called the Bouvier des Flandres.
Honestly, we were shocked. With her high energy, intelligence, and stunning black coat, she’s got all the signature traits of a Schnauzer—but we never expected her to be almost entirely one breed.
Big Announcement: Valentina is Ready for Adoption!
This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. After months of recovery, Valentina is officially ready to find her forever home. She’s still a puppy, about a year old, and will need an adopter who can provide her with:
- Daily exercise—lots of it!
- Training & structure—she’s eager to learn but needs guidance.
- Patience & love—she’s learning to trust, and she’s doing amazing.
- A fun and active lifestyle—hiking, running, and maybe even some scent training!
If you think you’re the perfect match for Valentina, head over to RockyKanaka.com to apply. We’re looking for the best possible home for this special girl.
Oh, and if you want to support her journey, we’ve created special Valentina-themed merch—T-shirts, mugs, and more! You guys helped make this possible, and we can’t thank you enough.
