Togo Goes Barking Up the Ancestral Tree (1)

Ever since I was a puppy, people have wondered what breed of dog I am. All those questions were exhausting. So, for my birthday one year Daddy bought me a DNA test with the hope of getting a definitive answer.

At first, I didn’t realize what was going on. Daddy came out with a little stick with a spongy thing on the end. He had me sit and he began massaging the inside of my mouth with the spongy thing. I have to tell you, it was surprisingly pleasant. In fact, I was sorry when he stopped.

Then he plunked the stick into a little tube and mailed it to some scientists.

We waited for weeks. And then, one day, Daddy came out and said, “You’d better sit down. I have some important news to share with you.”

He sounded pretty serious. I said a little prayer because I just knew it was something bad — like Blue Buffalo going out of business or something like that. But then he proceeded to tell me that he had my DNA tested and now we knew, with 99.9% accuracy, what kind of dog I am.

He pulled out a little card and read it from top to bottom.

“You are a multi-breed canine, Togo,” Daddy say with great gravitas. “Five breeds in all.”

He went on to name them and the percentages of each of them that are me. I was so excited. I decided right then and there to do some serious research into my ancestors.

The biggest part of me is Siberian Husky. 29.3%.

I was pretty surprised that the percentage was that low. Most of the time, people walk up to Daddy and me and say, “I like your Husky.” This is a picture of a full blood Siberian Husky. And it looks just like me!

Well, not exactly like me. For one thing, this is a girl dog. And the second thing, this dog is not as big as I am. And my tail has a black tip on the end. So sort of exactly like me, but not really. I can see where people find a resemblance though. Some Huskies are different colors but I am definitely connected to the black and white Siberian Huskies.

Siberian Huskies are part of the Spitz genetic family. Just like Huskies, I have a double coat that keeps me warm in the winter and that reflects heat in the summer. Daddy says that I would be just fine if the temperature got down to -60º to -75º Fahrenheit. I think that’s only happened a couple of times since I’ve lived in Texas all of my life. And I didn’t notice, what with my double coat.

I also shed a lot. A lot. There is fur everywhere. My undercoat is white and people often seem annoyed when there is white fur on their clothes. And white fur seems to be attracted to dark clothing in particular. Daddy doesn’t mind. Momma says that’s because much of the fur she finds on his clothes are actually from his head. I don’t understand why he doesn’t replenish lost fur as well as I do.

I have a condition called heterochromia. It sounds awful, but it just means I have two different colored eyes. One is blue and the other is amber. It’s a common thing among Huskies and other dogs. I am glad that I have that because it’s always fun to hear people say, “Ooh, his eyes!”

My tail is very Husky-like. Except mine doesn’t curl-up over my back. I understand that some people really like that. I find tail curling to be reminiscent of Stanley, the Squirrel who lives in my backyard and pesters me constantly. I find his tail, along with its curling, to be a vexatious thing. Although, generally, I like Stanley. We play fun games where he runs along the top of the fence and I try to jump and knock him off. It’s a riot!

Siberian Huskies are working sled dogs. I think that’s why I like to pull. (Spoiler alert: Siberian Huskies aren’t the only dogs who like to pull. Stay tuned.) I am named for a very brave sled dog. The first Togo led a team of sled dogs over 261 miles to deliver diphtheria serum for the kids in Nome, Alaska. After retiring from sled-pulling, Togo settled down and raised quite a family — he was known as a “foundation dog” for the Siberian Husky breed. Most of the Huskies registered in the US are descendants of the original Togo. I am quite proud to be named after him, even if only 29.3% of me is Siberian Husky.

One thing we already knew that I shared with Huskies is my high energy. I like to think that this natural resource within me contributed to much of the puppy mischief Daddy and Momma had to endure.

I told them I didn’t like to take baths.

And then there was the swing. I don’t remember doing this, but apparently, I incapacitated the swing twice before Daddy found a welder with a more permanent solution.

Huskies are known for “talking” excessively. That’s another place I’m different. Momma says that I’m introverted like Daddy. I have a deep, deep bark and can sound really ferocious when I want to. Just like a Husky, I am very friendly and cannot be trusted to be a guard dog. I like people.

I am not totally like a Siberian Husky in intellect. They were ranked only 77th in intelligence in a field of 138 breeds in “Working and Obedience Intelligence.” Momma says I’m much smarter than that. If she only knew how much smarter I really am. I hold back on doing some smart things because with great smartness comes great responsibility. That can be a lot of work.

As you can see, I inherited a lot of great traits of the Siberian Husky. But there’s more of me to come — 70.7% to be exact. You’ll have to read my next few stories to find out. It will be worth the wait!