He might be the smallest of the bunch, but one brave little Dalmatian is stealing hearts across the internet for his bold personality and fearless attitude. A video posted by the Stone family, known on TikTok as @thestonestory101, has gone viral after showcasing the runt of their litter standing his ground in the most adorable way.

Source: TikTok / @thestonestory101

The viral clip, viewed over 5.2 million times, captures a heartwarming moment inside the family’s home. In the video, the mother Dalmatian can be seen standing protectively over the runt as he faces off with his much larger father. Despite being tiny, the pup wastes no time barking and growling when his dad approaches a little too closely. The result? The father Dalmatian literally jumps back in surprise, while the puppy stays firm, his high-pitched barks making it clear he won’t be intimidated.

The owner captioned the clip with a fitting line: “The runt is the bravest of all.” The mother stays lovingly close, gently licking her baby and shielding him with her body. Meanwhile, the father, unsure of the situation, is startled by the fierce response coming from the little one.

TikTok viewers were charmed not only by the brave little pup but also by the lighthearted parallels to Disney’s classic 101 Dalmatians. One commenter joked, “Where’s the other 100 pups?” while another added, “Be careful if you see a woman with half black and half white hair!”

Source: TikTok / @thestonestory101

Some viewers focused on the dad’s hilarious reaction, with one writing, “The dad is like ‘what in FREAKING HELL is this thing,’” to which the account replied: “He’s no help!”

According to dog experts, it’s common for male dogs to be unsure around new litters, as they don’t share the same parenting instincts that female dogs typically do. In many cases, it’s best to wait several weeks before introducing fathers to puppies to avoid stress or rough interactions. In this instance, though, the only stress came from being bested by a puppy one-tenth his size.

The video is part of a larger series documenting the puppies’ early days—growing, playing, and even watching 101 Dalmatians together. The Stone family’s account has become a favorite for dog lovers who enjoy watching these spotted pups develop their personalities.

Source: TikTok / @thestonestory101

Whether he’s the tiniest or the toughest, this brave runt has left no doubt that he’s a force to be reckoned with—and his proud stance has made the world fall in love.

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This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.