Who (or what) am I really?

 When I was working with the elementary school kids, Mom did a project with them to try and guess what kind of dog I am (other than just a perfect specimen of a loving furbuddy!).  She was going to surprise them by actually doing a DNA test so we could really find out.  I remember when she stuck a cotton swab in my mouth.  I had just finished munching on a marrow bone and the cotton swab didn't taste nearly as good as that marrow bone!

So when the results came back.  Mom didn't even share them with the kids.  She just thought maybe the marrow bone had interfered with the results.  That was 'cuz the results said I was 12.5% Bullmastiff, 12.5% German Shepherd, 12.5% Labrador, 12.5% Mastiff and 50% a mix of collies, chow chows and others.

If you don't know what a Bullmastiff or a Mastiff is, here is their description. 

About the Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff isn’t quite as large as his close cousin the Mastiff. Still, standing as high as 27 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 100 and 130 pounds, this is still a whole lot of dog. After the first impression made by the Bullmastiff’s size, it is the large, broad head that conveys the breed’s essence: the dark eyes, high-set V-shaped ears, and broad, deep muzzle all combine to present the intelligence, alertness, and confidence that make the Bullmastiff a world-class protector and family companion. Coats come in fawn, red, or brindle.

These are biddable and reliable creatures, but as with any large guarding dog, owners must begin training and socialization early, while the puppy is still small enough to control.

OK, so I'm much better looking than that!  And 100 - 130 pounds?  Mom's got me on a diet now, and I only weigh 70 pounds!  Somebody tell my Mom I need more food!  But I did like the part about the "world-class protector" and "family companion".  I'm all of that.  

But what about the Mastiff?

About the Mastiff

For the uninitiated, a face-to-face encounter with these black-masked giants can be startling. A male stands at least 30 inches at the shoulder and can outweigh many a full-grown man. The rectangular body is deep and thickly muscled, covered by a short double coat of fawn, apricot, or brindle stripes. The head is broad and massive, and a wrinkled forehead accentuates an alert, kindly expression. Mastiffs are patient, lovable companions and guardians who take best to gentle training. Eternally loyal Mastiffs are protective of family, and a natural wariness of strangers makes early training and socialization essential. Mastiffs are magnificent pets, but acquiring a powerful giant-breed dog is commitment not to be taken lightly.

Now that's one goofy looking pooch!  No wonder Mom didn't think the DNA test made any sense.  She said they must have gotten DNA from the cow whose marrow bone I was chewing.  Had to agree.

Except, last month she decided to try again with a different outfit.  Guess what?  My grandparents on my dad's side were a Mastiff and a Labrador Retriever/St. Bernard mix.  (Saint Bernard?  Really?)  And my grandparents on my Mom's side were a German Shepherd and a Chow Chow/Collie Mix.  

Thank heaven there was a Collie in there somewhere.  Where else would I have gotten so good at my Border Collie stare?  

And I guess I do evidence some aspects of a Chow Chow (though that's one ugly dog!)

About the Chow Chow

Chows are powerful, compactly built dogs standing as high as 20 inches at the shoulder. Their distinctive traits include a lion’s-mane ruff around the head and shoulders; a blue-black tongue; deep-set almond eyes that add to a scowling, snobbish expression; and a stiff-legged gait. Chows can have rough or smooth coats of red, black, blue, cinnamon, or cream.

Owners say Chows are the cleanest of dogs: They housebreak easily, have little doggy odor, and are known to be as fastidious as cats. Well-socialized Chows are never fierce or intractable, but always refined and dignified. They are aloof with strangers and eternally loyal to loved ones. Serene and adaptable, with no special exercise needs, Chows happily take to city life.

I must say, I have NO doggy odor and I am certainly refined and dignified.  Have you seen my lovely sit?

Mom says she refuses to believe I have a drop of Labrador in me.  She says I'm much too intelligent for that.  And who am I to argue with Mom?

So anyway, that's not who I am.  That's who my ancestors were.  I am just Guinness and I like being Guinness.  And Mom says I'm the best kind of mix she would ever want.  

Hope you have some interesting ancestors!

Love, G