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Entry 481Filed under Breeding

Golden Retriever Gave Birth to ‘Lucky’ Green Puppy Shamrock—Why Her Color Faded and What Happened Next

Shamrock, a Golden Retriever puppy born in Florida in March 2024, had a temporary green tint that her breeder attributed to biliverdin exposure in the womb. The color faded by about 12 weeks, and a February 2025 follow-up said she had found a home.
3-minute read By Animalso Team
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Shamrock was a female Golden Retriever puppy born in Pensacola, Florida, in March 2024, with a lime-green tint that made her stand out from her cream-colored littermates. Her breeder attributed the color to exposure to biliverdin in the womb, but the exact cause was not independently confirmed for Shamrock. The tint faded as she grew and was completely gone by about 12 weeks, according to a 2025 follow-up.

What happened when Shamrock was born?

Shamrock was one of eight puppies in a Florida Golden Retriever litter born in March 2024. ABC7 reported that her siblings had cream coats while Shamrock’s coat looked lime-colored. The unusual hue drew attention in videos shared by her breeder.

Her breeder, Carole DeBruler, attributed the green tint to biliverdin exposure in the womb. That is the reported explanation, not a diagnosis confirmed by a published veterinary examination or laboratory test of Shamrock.

Why did Shamrock look green?

Biliverdin is a green pigment, and the breeder’s explanation was that it stained Shamrock’s coat before birth. The available reporting supports describing this as a likely temporary stain, rather than a lasting inherited Golden Retriever coat color. The precise mechanism in Shamrock’s case has not been independently established.

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The Golden Retriever Club of America describes the breed’s coat in shades of gold. Shamrock’s green appearance was therefore unusual and temporary, not a normal lasting breed color.

Temporary green tint Lasting coat color
Shamrock’s reported green hue faded as she grew and was gone by about 12 weeks, according to PEOPLE’s 2025 follow-up. The Golden Retriever Club of America’s coat-color review discusses shades of gold; it does not describe Shamrock’s case or establish a medical explanation for it.

How long did Shamrock stay green?

The reports describe a gradual change rather than a permanent coat color.

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Reported time What coverage said
March 2024 Shamrock was born in a litter of eight with a lime-colored coat, according to ABC7.
A few weeks later ABC7 reported that the color was fading.
By about eight weeks PEOPLE’s February 2025 follow-up said the green hue had lasted until about this age.
By about 12 weeks PEOPLE reported that the green color had completely disappeared.

These ages are case details reported by ABC7 and PEOPLE, not statistics about how often puppies have green-stained coats.

What happened to Shamrock?

PEOPLE’s February 17, 2025, follow-up said Shamrock had found a home. It described her as a “social butterfly” and quoted breeder Carole DeBruler saying, “She’s a favorite at the vet and the groomer, and wherever she goes, she’s making friends and sharing smiles.” Those are descriptions attributed to the breeder, not the results of independent behavioral testing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Shamrock the only green puppy in her litter?

The reports establish that Shamrock stood out from her cream-colored littermates, but they do not document why she alone had a visible tint. Her breeder attributed it to biliverdin exposure in the womb.

Was Shamrock’s green color permanent?

No. ABC7 reported that it faded after a few weeks. PEOPLE’s 2025 follow-up said it lasted until about eight weeks and was completely gone by about 12 weeks.

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  • DURABILITY and CONVENIENCE: Made of durable nylon webbing, strong quick release buckle and metal D ring. Easy to adjust and put on or take off. All metal accessories are strong and rust-proof. Machine washable. Easy care for daily use
  • REFLECTIVITY: Highly reflective threads keep high visibility at night for safety
  • BONUS DOG LEASH: A free 5ft dog leash is included. Featured with comfortable foam handle, strong climbing rope, and tangle-free hook

Was the cause of Shamrock’s green coat confirmed by a veterinarian?

The research reviewed for this article did not find a published veterinary examination or test confirming the exact cause in Shamrock’s case. The biliverdin explanation should be attributed to her breeder and the reporting.

Where is Shamrock now?

The latest Shamrock-specific update in the supplied research is PEOPLE’s February 2025 report, which said she had found a home. The research did not establish a more recent update.

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Sources

  • ABC7, April 25, 2024: the litter, Shamrock’s color, the reported biliverdin explanation, and early fading.
  • PEOPLE via Yahoo Lifestyle, February 17, 2025: the later fading timeline and Shamrock’s reported new home.
  • Golden Retriever Club of America, “Coat Color in Review”: breed-color context.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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