Canelo the farm dog exposed as the egg thief

The owners were desperately trying to identify the culprit – and could scarcely believe what they saw.

At first, foxes were suspected, then cats began wandering through the frame at night. The owners were increasingly on edge, as fresh eggs were disappearing almost every day. Eventually, the family set up several cameras and placed an egg as bait. What the footage revealed later attracted millions of views online – and left the keepers shaking their heads in disbelief.

Searching for the egg thief

The story takes place on a small family farm of the kind found throughout many rural areas. Chickens roam freely, dogs wander between the sheds, and the family shares its farm life on TikTok under the name “farmofmilkandhoney”.

For weeks, they had noticed eggs repeatedly going missing. Sometimes two had vanished, sometimes three, and occasionally an entire clutch. At first, the explanation seemed obvious: when this happens, wild animals are usually the first suspects.

• Foxes: classic thieves of eggs and chickens
• Martens or raccoons: well known for their nocturnal raids
• Stray cats: occasionally take young animals or eggs

The owners inspected the fencing, secured the coop doors more carefully and protected the nesting areas. Even so, more eggs disappeared. They therefore decided that proof was now essential.

The plan involving a “bait egg”

To catch the thief, the family used a straightforward yet effective method. They placed a single egg in plain sight on the ground where the others had disappeared and positioned several cameras to record it.

One single egg, several cameras and one clear hope: someone will give in – and incriminate themselves.

The cameras kept recording while the family waited. They later reviewed the footage frame by frame. Before long, the first suspect appeared.

Initial suspicion falls on the farm dog

The video first shows Canelo, one of the farm’s dogs. He walks into shot, stops directly in front of the egg and gives it an inquisitive sniff. The scene makes the owners tense up – could their own four-legged companion be responsible?

Canelo studies the egg for a while, but then walks on without touching it. For the moment, he is cleared. Shortly afterwards, two more female dogs enter the frame. They also pass close to the egg, yet behave inconspicuously and leave it where it is.

The trail appears to have gone cold, and the owners begin expecting a nocturnal wild animal again. Then, however, the situation takes an unexpected turn.

Canelo returns – and the truth is revealed

A few minutes later, Canelo reappears on camera. This time, he behaves differently. He heads straight for the egg, briefly looks left and right – then takes it.

Canelo picks up the egg remarkably gently, almost as though he were carrying a raw glass object in his mouth – and disappears from the frame with it.

This exact moment was later posted on TikTok. The clip makes one thing clear: no fox, no marten and no bird of prey – the supposed egg thief is the family’s own farm dog.

The owner comments on the scene with a wink. Although the evidence seems unmistakable, she laughs that she is “still not entirely convinced”, because Canelo could not possibly “do anything bad”. Despite the footage, she is unwilling to put her dog firmly in the dock.

The internet defends the dog

Countless users commented beneath the TikTok video after it went viral. Many immediately came to Canelo’s defence and doubted that he intended to steal anything.

• Some suggest he was simply taking the egg somewhere safe.
• Others joke that he works as “security service” for the chickens.
• Several users highlight how gently he carries the egg – without breaking it.

Indeed, Canelo looks more cautious than greedy in the recording. Nothing indicates that he wants to swallow the egg straight away. Instead, he picks it up carefully and pads off as though he has a precious item in his mouth.

Why dogs find eggs so fascinating

Experts are not especially surprised that dogs show an interest in eggs. Eggs have a strong smell, are nutritious and resemble prey found in nature. Dogs that live on a farm and can move around freely in particular often establish their own routines when they discover sources of food.

Possible reasons for this behaviour

• Hunger or food competition: The dog takes advantage of any additional protein source it finds.
• Collecting or protective instinct: Some dogs carry objects to “safe places” – and eggs may be among them.
• Play behaviour: Round objects trigger the urge to play, much like a ball.
• Learned behaviour: Once a dog has successfully got hold of an egg, it may repeat the behaviour.

Many keepers report that their dogs can carry raw eggs remarkably well in their mouths without biting through them. The soft grip associated with retrieving dogs is particularly evident in this situation.

Can eggs be dangerous for a dog?

In general, many dogs tolerate raw eggs. They provide high-quality protein and fats. Nevertheless, vets advise a considered approach.

On a farm where dogs can regularly get access to fresh eggs, the keeper should clearly establish whether this is allowed or not. Otherwise, it may not only be eggs that disappear; in the worst case, chicks shortly before hatching could be at risk too.

How to prevent egg theft on a farm

Anyone keeping chickens while also having dogs on the farm can avoid a great deal of stress with a few measures:

• Position nests higher up or use enclosed nesting boxes.
• Restrict dogs’ access to the coop and nesting areas.
• Train dogs specifically to ignore eggs, rewarding the correct behaviour.
• Collect eggs more often so that large stores never build up in the first place.

Some keepers even turn the issue into a training game: the dog learns to retrieve eggs carefully and deliver them to the person without damaging them. This preserves the instinct without the chicken flock suffering as a result.

Why farm videos like this are so popular

The fact that the clip from this small farm is being shared around the world fits a wider trend: everyday scenes involving animals that seem unexpectedly human or amusing generate enormous reach on platforms such as TikTok. Users see unfiltered moments, nothing appears staged, and there is usually an “aha moment” at the end – as in this case, when the beloved dog turns out to be the egg carrier.

For many people living in towns and cities, videos like these offer a glimpse into rural life. They illustrate how closely people and animals live together there, the small conflicts that arise, and just how much humour daily life with dogs, chickens and other animals can bring.

At the same time, they encourage viewers to pay closer attention to their own animals’ behaviour. Anyone suddenly noticing missing food, torn rubbish bags or vanished treats could quickly use a simple camera to find out whether the neighbour’s cat really is to blame – or whether it is actually their own, supposedly “always completely innocent” four-legged companion.