Who is Lola?
Lola is actually a real dog, and was the basis of the main character of this book series.
Lola is (as stated in the title of the books) a Buhund – which is shorthand for Norwegian Buhund. Buhunder are a spitz-type breed of dogs hailing from Norway that have been historically been used as herding dogs, all purpose farm dogs, and watch dogs.
They’ve very intelligent, protective and loving creatures by nature. Buhunder are also high energy dogs that require a great deal of attention and exercise. If you have the ability to meet such needs as a pet owner, the Norwegian Buhund may be the right dog for you. However, there are various breed standards that Lola does not meet, according to the AKC (taken from wikipedia):
Wheaten - Any shade from pale cream to bright orange, with or without dark tipped hairs; as little white as possible; black mask acceptable. Black - Preferably without too much bronzing; with as little white as possible. Areas where white is permissible: a narrow white ring around the neck, a narrow blaze on the face, a small patch of white hairs on the chest, white feet and tip of the tail. In the UK Wolf Sable is also listed in the Kennel Club Breed Standard.
Lola despite having the correct frame and temperament, is not the correct color.
Her coat is almost solid white, except for a brown marking around her right eye. As she’s grown in the past year, a few brown spots have appeared on the back of her ears as well. A Buhund breeder who I consulted for information on the breed also informed me that “her ears are too large” and that “her tail doesn’t curl correctly”. Aside from those minor details, she is the spitting image of the breed in terms of personality. Regardless of what any breeder or AKC official would tell me, there’s no doubt in my mind that she IS a Buhund – albeit one that doesn’t fit their standards. (It’s worth noting that I really do not like the AKC or the Puppies for Profit industry they encourage, so I really wouldn’t give much weight to their opinions or the opinion of a dog breeder backed by them.)
This can be my only clue as to why Lola was found abandoned on the side of a highway as a puppy, in close proximity to a puppy mill. She came with no pedigree, no papers; but that really didn’t matter to my family. What mattered to us was that she was so malnourished when we first got her that one of her ears couldn’t stand up.
That picture above is her as a puppy. She’s doubled in size since then, and her ear issue has long since resolved itself. It took a great deal of love and care, but she’s recovered from her time in the shelter. .. We still can’t take her to PetSmart on adoption day, however. She always freaks out because she thinks she’s being taken back to the shelter. Which is a little ridiculous because I’d never willingly send her back.
Seriously. Look at this monster. Would you ever give up something so zany and lovable?
Lola in her infinite wackiness has been a great inspiration to me, and has more than earned her place in our household. We all love her a great deal.
