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Trivia on Poms, Dobies, and Greyhounds

Indiana was an Alaskan malamute dog owned by George Lucas in the 1970s and was the inspiration for the character of Chewbacca.


Early Pomeranians descended from the German spitz and weighed close 30 pounds. The toy red variety was popularized by Queen Victoria.


Anaheim recently unveiled a dog statue by Susan Bahary of San Rafael to honor crime-fighting canines. The 3.5-foot-tall bronze German shepherd sculpture was inspired by Bruno, a retired member of the K-9 unit shot in the line of duty. Another dog statue by Bahary will be dedicated in Anaheim this fall.


Most greyhounds are universal blood donors and are used to provide extra blood during another dog’s surgery.


The breed of dog called the Doberman Pinscher in the United States is known as the Dobermann Pinscher in Europe where it originated. The man who bred for the Doberman spelled his last name Dobermann.

—R.U. Steinberg


Mr. Smarty Pants read the above information in a book, magazine, newspaper, or website; heard it on the radio; saw it on television; or overheard it at a party. Got any facts? Email them to Mr. Smarty Pants for possible inclusion in the column at