BREAKING: Dogwifhat Has a Brother—and His Name Is Yiro

In a quiet corner of Gifu Prefecture, Japan, a gentle story is capturing the hearts of dog lovers everywhere: the viral Shiba Inu known as “Dogwifhat” may have an identical twin—and his name is Mizu.

While the internet-famous pup rose to stardom with his deadpan expression and signature wool beanie, his sibling has lived a very different life, far from screens and hashtags. Thanks to a recent rediscovery by an old acquaintance of the original breeder, the world is finally getting a glimpse into this quieter tale.

It all started not online, but in a box of dusty photo albums.

“I was visiting an old friend, Mr. Fujimoto, who used to breed Shiba Inus,” recalled local photographer Kenji Arakawa. “He showed me a litter from 2015. When I saw the photo, I froze. One of the puppies had a look I instantly recognized.”

In the photo, two tiny pups sit side by side. One radiates playful energy, paw resting on a crumpled fishing hat. The other, slightly behind, watches the camera with serene focus.

The resemblance to the beanie-wearing internet star is uncanny. But the second dog, identified in Fujimoto’s handwritten notes as “Mizu,” had never been part of any viral trend—until now.

“I don’t really use the internet,” said Fujimoto, now 68. “We gave him to my cousin in the mountains. He’s lived quietly ever since.”

Born in April 2015, Mizu’s name comes from “Ichiro,” meaning “firstborn son.” According to the breeder’s notes, he was the more contemplative pup in the litter. “He would just sit and watch things—birds, leaves, the washing machine. Very calm. Rarely barked.”

While one sibling found fame in Osaka through a whimsical photo that unexpectedly took the internet by storm, Mizu remained rooted in rural life. Raised on a family farm in Hida, he spent his days among goats, open fields, and an elderly Akita.

“He’s incredibly mellow,” said Mika Abe, Fujimoto’s cousin and caretaker. “He loves wind chimes. We never really photographed him much—he’s just part of our daily life.”

The iconic image of the viral dog, captured around 2020 by his anonymous owner, became an online sensation—especially in the West. But the recent discovery of Mizu adds a new, more grounded chapter to the narrative.

“It’s a beautiful, almost poetic contrast,” noted animal behaviorist Dr. Satsuki Maeno. “Two dogs from the same beginnings, yet they walked such different paths—one into the spotlight, the other into stillness.”

Such personality differences are common in Shiba Inu litters, Maeno added, even among those who look nearly identical.

Though fans have already begun hoping for a reunion, it seems unlikely.

“Mizu is older now,” said Abe. “He doesn’t travel well. And honestly, I don’t think he’d enjoy all the noise. He’s happiest right here.”

The family did agree to share a few recent photos with local media—showing the dignified Shiba lounging in the grass, his face calm, fur graying just slightly around the muzzle, still carrying that same thoughtful look from the old photos.

While one brother remains an icon of internet whimsy, the other now offers a quiet counterpoint—a reminder that beyond every viral image lies a real life, often lived away from the spotlight.

“Some dogs chase the world,” Abe said, smiling. “Others just watch it pass. That’s Mizu.”

And in a world so often fixated on fame and attention, perhaps it’s comforting to know that one half of a viral duo simply chose peace.

Though his story may never trend or become a meme, Mizu's peaceful existence serves as a gentle reminder that a meaningful life doesn't need an audience—it only needs love and quiet moments.