It turns out that getting into the Christmas spirit isn’t limited to children—dogs can bring their own brand of holiday mischief too. Nova, a lively five-month-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, certainly stole the spotlight during a visit to a Christmas grotto in Sunderland.
While posing for a festive photograph with Santa Claus, Nova spotted something intriguing: Santa’s long, fluffy beard. Seizing the moment, she playfully lunged forward to tug at it, sparking a hilarious reaction from the man in red. Santa was heard pleading, “Get off my beard!” as the cheeky pup tried to unmask him.
Robyn Ellis, who runs Puppy Dog Palace and captured the amusing footage, shared how Nova’s unexpected antics had everyone laughing. “Nova was having a photo with Santa when she realized he had a nice, long beard and tried to play a game of tug of war with it,” Robyn said. “She’ll definitely be on the naughty list this year.”
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The clip humorously echoes the memorable scene from the movie Elf where Santa’s identity is questioned. Viewers quickly took to TikTok, where the video has amassed over 1.8 million likes, with many commenting on Nova’s cheeky suspicion. One viewer joked, “The side eye as if to say ‘I know this isn’t the real Santa paws.’” Another added, “Nova is a typical staffie—she knows an imposter when she sees one.”
Despite the playful tussle, Santa managed to recover his beard, and Nova ended her visit with some seasonal treats, including a puppuccino and a goodie bag. This lighthearted moment perfectly captures the joyful, unpredictable spirit of the holidays, reminding us that festive fun comes in all shapes and sizes.