Togo Goes Barking Up the Ancestral Tree (2)

Just in case you missed last week, I’ll bring you up to speed. Daddy tested my DNA several years ago and we found out that I am a mixture of five great breeds. So I have been doing some research on my ancestors. In Part 1, I told you about the biggest part of me — the Siberian Husky (29.3%).

Togo strikes a heroic pose.

You might not be surprised that the second biggest part of me is the Alaskan Malamute, coming in at 25.7%. And your lack of surprise would be well-founded because the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky are both related to the Chukotka sled-dogs from Siberia. They also look a lot alike. That’s why I look a little like them both.

Photo Credit: American Kennel Club

Scientists took DNA from a 9,500 year old dog named Zhokhov (named after the Siberian island of the same name) and found that he shared a common ancestor with the Greenland sledge dog, the Alaskan Malamute, and the Siberian Husky. I haven’t been able to verify whether Zhokhov was 9,500 in human years or dog years. Either way, I bet that he wasn’t learning any new tricks when they took his DNA no matter what catchy saying you may have heard. And no, that’s not a picture of the old boy, above.

Some people have remarked that I am a little big for a Siberian Husky. These people are very perceptive. I am actually more the size of an Alaskan Malamute male dog. In the colder months, I weigh between 80 and 85 pounds before I begin to trim down for swimsuit weather.

Alaskan Malamutes are known for their power and endurance. In my younger days, the funny-line Momma and Daddy heard from others was “Are you walking that dog? Or is that dog walking you?” Just like my Malamute and Husky ancestors, I love to pull. Fortunately, I like walking with Momma and Daddy so I’ve learned to accommodate. In other words, I walk slower than I really want to. (I do have to walk a lot slower with Daddy.)

I have suggested that Daddy invest in a large cart for me to pull. Malamutes can pull between 1,100 and 3,300 pounds over short distances. I’m pretty sure that I could pull both Momma and Daddy at the same time — and probably most of our neighbors. I think we could call it the “Togo Goes Go-Cart.” And sell tickets.

Daddy thinks that his liability and personal injury insurance is insufficient for such ventures. I offered to specialize in night runs when no one could recognize us. I’m learning that his law degree is a degree in negative thinking.

I’m different from the Malamutians in several ways. First, my undercoat is not nearly two-inches thick. I’m relieved. Even though my outer guard coat and my undercoat aren’t as floofy as a Malamute, I’m not sure that’s an advantage in West Texas.

My ears are also different. Mine are quite long and directional. An Alaskan Malamute’s ears are smaller and more wedge shaped. I would say they are more like Daddy’s ears because they are at the side of the head. But Daddy’s ears, unlike the Malamute’s, are not smaller in proportion to his head size so we can be confident that Daddy is not Malamutian.

A Malamute’s eyes are shaped like almonds. And a purebred Alaskan Malamute has only brown eyes — no blue eyes. So we know that the eye part of me comes from the Siberian Husky or a more ancient relative (to be announced).

My tail doesn’t behave like either the Husky or the Malamute. The American Kennel Club standards specify that the tail should be carried over the back like a “waving plume.” As I mention in the last story, that looks somewhat akin to a squirrel’s tail and I’ll have no part of that. Also, I’m not sure that I want people describing anything about me as a “waving plume.” Besides, it’s a rather difficult pose to achieve and sustain for more than a few seconds.

Togo attempts the “waving plume.”

My tail and my ears definitely came from another breed that shall not be named until an upcoming story.

Just like Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes are very fond of people and make lousy guard dogs. Malamutes bark even less than Huskies and don’t talk nearly as much. It seems that my voice box is more solidly in the Malamute column — most of the time.

Daddy is pretty sure that I lean toward the Malamute when it comes to my prey instincts. We don’t really know because it’s never been tested, but I admit that chasing smaller animals does appeal to me. I get tickled watching their little legs go into hyperdrive. Although, that’s just dogs and squirrels. Cats mainly stay in the same position, stare, and quote famous lines to me from Dirty Harry movies.

One of the websites I read said that Malamutes could be taught to tolerate smaller pets and children. There is a footnote saying that even trained Malamutes should be monitored with little animals and kids. I’m pleased to report that no small animals or children have been harmed in my life story. I have grazed a few kids over the years and licked a few. But no one was ever in danger and most are starting to get comfortable being around big dogs again. No comment on any toys or sporting goods equipment I may or may not have confiscated in the execution of my duties.

You would think that with all of my similarities with Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes that my ancestral story would be about at an end. As they say on late night television, “But wait!!! There’s more!!!” About 45% of me is still unaccounted for!

Next week, the story and the ancestral countdown continues. And things take an unexpected turn. Don’t miss it!