Yes, Henry came to me at 6:01 this morning. I had to smile. My very smart rescue dog. You know, the black lab - retriever mix (as described by the shelter), right?
Oh so wrong!
The DNA test results are in: Henry has 0% black lab, and 0% retriever in him. Instead, he is a total Rottie-Dobie mix from one parent, and a mix of Siberian Husky and Great Pyrenees (plus minor presence of other breeds) from the other. Oh, Henry!
Let me say a few words about all this. Ed had asked -- why do people want certain breeds anyway? Well it's the whole nature/nurture deal. A breed has predispositions and reputations. Your dog may not manifest those traits that belong to his (let's stick with male dogs, as Henry is a male) breed, but chances are quite high that he'll lean in that direction.
So Henry's one parent (I'll say the dad) is all Rottweiler and Doberman Pinscher. But to understand this, you have to know what a Doberman really is (aside from being described as "fiercely loyal, intelligent, affectionate and determined to please;" they forgot to mention "BIG"). Going back a short time (19th century), a German dude, Mr. Doberman, had wanted a breed that would help him with his work. He was a dog catcher and so he knew his dogs! He wanted, and I quote: the color, shape, and strength of the Rottweiler and Great Dane, the agility and determination of the German Pinscher, the speed of the Greyhound, the tenacity of various Terriers, and the sleek coat and figure of the Manchester Terrier. He also added Schnauzers, German Shepherds, German Shorthaired Pointers, and Weimaraners to the mix. And so he created what is now called the Doberman Pinscher. In other words, this breed already has the traits of a Rottweiler and it also has some of the Great Dane, etc etc. Mr. Doberman gave his own name to this unique dog mix.
My dog thus has a lot of Rottweiler in him! The DNA test says 36%. Yet he has none of the stocky look, that broad chest, or thick legs of a Rottweiler. Henry looks like the other half of his dad -- a Doberman Pinscher.
Still, given his Rottweiler leanings, I had to read up on this breed because its reputation can be that of a bully.
It's an incorrect reputation. The real bully out there is your little Dachshund. Those dogs bite! Rottweilers have been around for centuries -- date them back to the Roman Empire, where they were kept as cattle dogs. But by the end of the 19th century they were virtually extinct. They had a resurgence -- highly intelligent and hardworking, they were used as police dogs during World War I. The three most common traits that are listed as belonging to the Rottweiler? Calm, intelligent, hard-working. And then -- friendly and good with children.
So why are Rotties thought to be such trouble makers? Blame it on the humans who live with them, and want them to be something that they are not. Using their loyalty to encourage a manly dominance. Ignoring their need to work, to please. All the things we do to dogs to control their lives in ways we want, that may or may not align with their temperament.
On his mother's side, Henry has no Rottie or Dobbie at all: as I noted, she was a mix of predominantly Siberian Husky and a Great Pyrenees. (Everything else -- Satffie Terrier, Pit Bull Terrier etc -- has a presence of less than 10%.)
So why spend all this time and effort on identifying Henry's past? Well, maybe because he has so many unknowns floating about him. I never did a DNA test on myself because I know enough about my parents, grandparents and great grandparents that it's pointless to search further. But Henry -- where does he come from? What do I watch for? How to interpret his (initially) shy nature? And here's a fun one -- do we know any of his relatives? Turns out we do! Some live in Texas, one close one is on a ranch in Colorado, another is in Connecticut. None of them look like Henry, but then, Henry is unique!
I do know that letting his intelligence slide is the very last thing Henry needs. That kind of a dog will put his smarts to work whether you want him to or not and if you don't give him a path to follow, he will find his own, and it wont necessarily be one you like. It's like making a smart kid sit through boring lessons, on repeat. Sooner or later they will act out.
So, I'm happy with the added information! And I am thrilled to be working with Henry, my mixed-up non-lab non-retriever but awesome Rottie Dobbie Husky Pyrenean Gentle Giant combo dog.
... who, as I said, was up and at my bedside at 6:01.
I linger a little, reading the DNA analysis, but not for long.
And breakfast? Still studying the data. And back to granola, because it's warming up a little outside.
And then a rest and a snuggle...
And we are off -- doggie daycare for my pup and a trip to the farmhouse for me.
I do wonder how my pup fares at daycare. And I learn something about this today: there is actually a webcam of their indoor space. I can take a look!
(Dogs, clamoring to go out now; I see Henry! The white paws and his Doberman build give him away. And by the way, I had no idea they provided care to so many dogs, and that all those dogs can stand quietly in one large room together. Henry wisely hangs back from the crowd.)
I ask later at pickup how many dogs do they have at their max. The answer -- 80, although today it seems to have trickled a little over that.
In my visit to the farmette, I take in the dry November landscape. Fallen maple leaves -- they'll need a mowing before winter. Honey lotus seed pots -- a raking is in order, they're everywhere, ready to sprout new trees. And of course, the spent flowers. You can (and arguably should) leave them alone until spring, but they'll have to come down eventually. Oh the work that is no longer my work!
Me, I take a short nap and then Ed and I go out for a walk. At our park. Because the weather is so lovely (albeit windy!).
(on the way to the park, the usual crowd -- not of dogs, but of cranes)
My evening is a mix of trying to be social (there is a wine party at the Edge tonight) and trying to pick up Henry on time. You know, the Henry that would not enjoy a crowd and so I dont dare bring him to it. Since everyone around me is sipping wine, I shrug off my own abstinence and pour myself a small amount. How strange that I used to have this every day! Do I miss it? Yes and no. The moment of drinking had always been so enjoyable. But, like with sweets, it's a short-lived pleasure. And like with sweets, the more you indulge, the more you want to keep going. So, I'm back to my non-alcoholic beer upstairs for the rest of the evening, with Henry at my side. Happy dog, very happy dog owner.
with so much love...
