Meet Murphy, the two-year-old Labradoodle who’s taken the internet—and his family—by surprise with a dramatic color change that has people doing double takes.
When Sarah Foster and her husband brought Murphy home in February 2023, he was a bouncy, dark chocolate brown puppy. Fast forward two years, and Murphy now looks like an entirely different dog—sporting a golden blonde coat that no one saw coming.
@sarahrfoster I promise it’s the same dog y’all 😅 #doodle #dogmom #colorchanging #labradoodle ♬ Who are you? – Saga Faye
“We knew he’d lose his puppy fur eventually,” Foster recalls. “But we had no idea just how much his color would change. Every time we look at his old photos, we’re amazed—it really is like looking at a different dog.”
Murphy’s color shift started subtly. A month after joining the family, the fur around his snout began to lighten. By spring, small pale patches appeared on his body. The Fosters initially chalked it up to quirks in his Merle genetics. But by April 2024, Murphy had gone full-blonde.
“At first, he looked kind of patchy, so we figured he’d just stay that way,” Foster said. “But then the white started spreading, and now—he’s just completely changed.”
Friends didn’t believe it either. One frequent visitor insists Murphy looks “more blonde every time,” and viewers on TikTok even questioned whether the before-and-after videos featured the same dog.
So what’s behind this canine glow-up? According to Dr. Cassidy Stranzl of Dakota Veterinary Center, Murphy’s transformation is caused by a rare condition called vitiligo. The autoimmune disorder causes the body to attack pigment-producing cells, resulting in white patches of fur and skin.
“It’s purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect the dog’s health,” Dr. Stranzl explains. “It’s uncommon, and Murphy’s case is particularly striking.”
Vitiligo isn’t unique to Labradoodles—it’s more often seen in breeds like German Shepherds, Dobermans, Rottweilers, and Collies. And while it may look unusual, it’s nothing to worry about. Still, Dr. Stranzl recommends regular vet checkups just in case other autoimmune conditions are present.
For the Fosters, Murphy’s transformation has been equal parts shocking and delightful.
“It’s the wildest thing we’ve ever experienced with a pet,” Foster says. “He may look different now, but he’s still the same sweet pup we fell in love with—just with a lot more blonde flair.”
And while Murphy may not look like the dog they brought home two years ago, one thing’s certain: this golden boy has only grown more lovable with time.
Would you ever guess this sunshine-colored pup was once a deep chocolate brown?