German Shepherd and Golden Retriever Puppy's First Meeting Caught on Camera

A family's decision to introduce a new puppy into their home has turned into an internet sensation. The heartwarming display that was captured and shared on TikTok showed the unexpected bonds that can form between pets.

The footage showcases the Ziegler family's initial uncertainty about how their adult German shepherd would react to the new addition. Contrary to potential concerns, the video shows the moment the German shepherd gently approaches his new sibling, sniffing and nudging her with an air of curiosity and gentle acceptance.

What follows is a series of sweet interactions and tender moments shared between the two, symbolizing the start of a new friendship. The video, posted by @kristenxziegler, quickly amassed over 375,000 views since it was first shared online on March 5 after captivating audiences with its endearing narrative.

"We bought a puppy home to our German Shepherd not knowing how he'd react," the pets' owner, Kristen Ziegler, said in the post.

She told Newsweek: "Our German Shepherd, Winston, has always been a playful, loving teddy bear. We lived in a house where in each of the surrounding backyards our neighbors had dogs. Winston and the other dogs would play outside every day, running together along the fence lines."

"Winston would spend hours each day playing with his neighboring friends. However, one day we moved, and Winston no longer had friends to play with in our new neighborhood. After about a month, we could easily tell our playful Winston was feeling down and dispirited. It was at that point we knew we needed to get Winston a friend."

"Someone to play with, protect, and to love. We had never had another dog in the house with Winston, so we were hesitant and unsure of how he would react to a puppy being added to our family, but as you can see in the video he quickly found a love and need to protect this puppy, Kona. To this day, the two are obsessed with each other, and we know we can always count on Winston being the best big brother to Kona," the dog mom said.

This particular instance of animal companionship not only provides a cute and uplifting story for viewers but also highlights the potential for harmonious relationships among pets, regardless of their age differences or the circumstances of their meeting.

Pet experts agree that the way animals interact in such scenarios can vary greatly, but positive introductions like these can lead to strong, lifelong bonds between dogs.

The U.K. animal welfare charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home says that planning is always needed before a new dog is introduced to a household that already has one.

This is even more prevalent in cases like the one explored in the TikTok post where the incoming is young and energetic, and the elder dog is much larger.

The charity advises owners to take the dogs out for a walk before they get acquainted indoors, to avoid scraps over territory.

"When you first get home with your new dog, don't go indoors straight away. Instead, take both of your dogs for a walk together in an area with lots of open space where they can take their time to explore and get to know one another in their own time on more neutral ground," Battersea Dogs & Cats Home writes on its website.

"You may have to arrange for a friend or family member to help you by walking one of the dogs, so you can give them as much space as they need to be able to relax. It's natural to be excited, but try to be as casual as possible and allow them to interact in their own time.

"Don't force them towards each other and don't pick up either dog or try to push them to say hello as this could create tension between them," the charity states. During the walk, owners should praise any positive behaviors that the dogs exhibit.

At home, the charity says to "make sure any food and toys are out of reach and there are multiple water bowls and beds spread throughout the home to prevent any possible friction between the dogs."

As families continue to navigate the complexities of pet ownership, stories like these serve as a reminder of the joy and unity that animals can bring into our lives and the way even the most unlikely of friends can form close bonds.

"What means so much to me about the reaction from the public to this video is everyone seeing how sweet and caring a German Shepherd can be," Ziegler said.

"Being that we own a 100-pound German Shepherd, too often we hear about how German Shepherds are scary or mean, and I think it's great for people to see the loving, protective, and gentle side of the breed."

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.