Togo Goes Barking Up the Ancestral Tree (3)

If you’ve missed reading Togo Goes in the last couple of weeks, you may want to go back and catch up. Daddy tested my DNA a couple of years ago and we learned that I am a mixture of five great breeds. This is the third installment of my intensive research into those who walked before me. In Part 1, I told you about the biggest part of me — the Siberian Husky (29.3%). In Part 2, I shared my similarities to the Alaskan Malamute (25.7%).

Togo reclines as the moon appears in the eastern sky. Look closer. That tiny white dot. Upper right-hand corner.

The third biggest part of my DNA comes from . . . the Labrador Retriever at 24.5%.

Labrador Retrievers are great working dogs and family pets. Did you know that Labs are the most common dogs owned in most of the Western world? In fact, in 2006, in both the United Kingdom and the United States, there were more than twice as many Labs registered than the next most popular breed! That’s pretty big when it comes to popularity contests.

One of the reasons is that Labradors are really smart and are fantastic assistance dogs. In fact, 60-70% of all guide dogs in the U.S. are Labrador Retrievers. I thought about branching out into the service dog business, but Daddy isn’t quite to the point of needing assistance. And I didn’t want to have to leave Momma and Daddy alone when I was away at work. And I don’t really look all that great in a vest.

This is what purebred Labrador retrievers look like and, according to trusted sources, the one closest to the camera is sort of what my biological mother looked like.

The Neopolitan flavors of Labrador Retrievers: yellow, black, and chocolate.

My original mom was probably about half Labrador Retriever. Eyewitnesses report that she was almost white and looked like a skinny version of the dog pictured above. Technically, she would be classified as having the coloring of a yellow Lab. Yellow Labs can be creamy white all the way to fox-red.

The first Labradors bred were primarily black. But over time, the other colors emerged. Did you know that the chocolate Lab was originally called a liver Lab? Personally, I find the chocolate label to much more palatable, even though all dogs are forbidden from eating chocolate and I’ve never had any. I wonder if liver Labradors petitioned to be renamed “chocolate” as a deterrent to any cannibal or zombie dogs who might be out there. Or werewolves. None of my research indicates that cannibal or zombie dogs or werewolves exist. But Daddy has agreed to keep his security cameras tuned to the spooky dog frequency, just in case.

Between you and me, I can hardly believe that nearly a full quarter of me is Labrador Retriever. When it comes to looks, there is little-to-none in the resemblance categories:

• Eyes = none

• Ears = none

• Nose = none

• Mouth = none

• Head-shape = none

• Coat = none

  • Type = none

  • Color = none

• Tail = little

Labrador Retrievers love to be in the water. They are good swimmers. Me? Not so much. By contract, I limit my contact with water to Daddy pouring a gallon jug of H2O on my neck and back when — and only when — the outside temperature is 90º+.

I think all of my genetic ties to Labrador Retrievers go to inner qualities. Like Labs, I am friendly, energetic, and playful.

I would note that many Labradors believe that retrieving things is the best kind of play. Thus, there is a disconnect with me. Everyone knows that the best game is Tug-Of-War. No, that’s the second best. The best game is Keep Away, initiated by swiping things from Daddy and Momma. In most instances, a rousing game of Tug-Of-War immediately follows Keep Away.

I believe I have the heart of a service dog. I can’t even begin to list all of the things I do to help Daddy through the day. He requires an exceptionally large amount of reverse physical-emotional therapy (PET). I am very patient and proactive in making sure that he pets me every chance he gets.

Togo assists Daddy with his PET requirements.

I am proud to have Labrador blood coursing through my veins. And now we’ve accounted for almost 80% of who I am. But keep reading! I have two more really fine breeds stirring within.