It’s not just children who get a bit too curious around Santa Claus—pets can be just as cheeky. This was hilariously proven when Nova, a five-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, met Father Christmas at a festive grotto and decided to put his beard to the test.
Captured on December 17 by Robyn Ellis, owner of Puppy Dog Palace in Sunderland, the video shows Nova eagerly tugging at Santa’s long white beard during a photo session. Santa’s lighthearted plea of “get off my beard” adds to the charm of the encounter.
Robyn shared, “Nova was posing for a picture when she realized Santa had a nice, long beard and treated it like a tug-of-war toy. She’s definitely earning a spot on the naughty list this year.”
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The clip has since gone viral on TikTok, amassing 1.8 million likes and sparking a flood of enthusiastic comments. Viewers couldn’t get enough of Nova’s cheeky side, with many joking she was unmasking a fake Santa—echoing the iconic “You’re not Santa” moment from the movie Elf.
“Nova’s typical staffie attitude shines through—she knows when someone’s an imposter,” one commenter noted. Another added, “That side eye is priceless, like she knows there’s something fishy about this Santa.”
Despite the playful mischief, Santa eventually recovered his beard, and Nova was treated to a festive puppucchino and a goodie bag, clearly enjoying her day out. The event was full of laughs and holiday spirit, thanks to Nova’s unforgettable antics that brightened everyone’s Christmas experience.