LGX - It's the newest `model' in town

What do you call a Labrador retriever-golden retriever mix? A LabGo, a GoLab, or how about an LGX?

The latter sounds more like an exotic car model, perhaps a Jaguar, Alfa Romeo or Mercedes, than a hybrid canine.

But LGX is the label of choice for those involved in an unusual breeding program at Canine Companions for Independence of Santa Rosa, Calif., a nonprofit agency devoted to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support.

"This is a serious project," says Erin Laughlin, manager of the breeding and puppy program, "so we're not looking for any cutesy names."

Here's a profile of the charismatic LGX: Weighs 60 to 70 pounds, short, solid yellow Lab-like coat, although some are black. Slightly taller and more slender than the Labrador retriever. Romps about with the engaging eagerness of the golden.

The Greater Seattle area has an active volunteer puppy-raiser program, so don't be surprised if you see an 8-week to 16-month-old LGX on the sidewalk or in a store, being trained and socialized by a youngster. The LDX's signature is a yellow vest with blue trim and a blue-and-yellow CCI logo on the side.

Labs and goldens have long been the foundation breeds of the 25-year-old CCI's breeding program. But each has its shortcomings, says Peter Mundell, director of canine programs.

"Labradors have healthy skin and coat, good ears and aren't fearful. They are, however, very energetic. In fact, too much so for some. They love to chase squirrels, run and jump and go after a loose, moving object, whether it's a ball or a bird. Of course, we train them not to react impulsively with these challenging distractions."

Conversely, the golden, adds Mundell, is known for skin and coat problems, some insecurity and a fearful response to a challenge. "It is, however, far less exuberant and more controllable than the Lab," Mundell adds.

Because of the public's increasing demand for CCI assistance dogs, the agency is hard-pressed at times to find enough qualified candidates from each breed.

In the early '90s, Mundell decided to try mixing the best characteristics of both popular breeds. "In the long run, we haven't been disappointed," he emphasizes, "although there have been a few bumps in the road.

The first litter was a huge disappointment, since it produced a high incidence of hip dysplasia, a genetic disorder seen in both breeds.

"But with selective breeding, detailed record-keeping and a lot of hard work, we've overcome that problem pretty well," Mundell said.

While CCI has reached outside for some Lab and golden breeding stock, all cross breed-to-cross breed mating has involved select CCI insiders.

"We have a number of kennels we work with," Laughlin says, "but most purebred breeders don't want to get involved in producing mixed stock. We totally understand that."

As CCI moves into its third-generation of LGXs, the challenge becomes more complex. Breeding mixed-to-mixed can be a real roll of the dice, the two concede. "You just shuffle the deck," adds Mundell, "and the results are a much greater diversity among littermates than when you're breeding purebreds."

Sound temperament, structure and health are the objectives of the novel program. "We're very pleased with the temperament," says Laughlin. "Plus, less than 5 percent have washed out because of health."

Approximately 40 percent of the animals produced from mixed breeding (mixed-to-purebred or mixed-to-mixed) graduate, compared to 7 to 10 percent fewer for purebreds. There is a high public demand for the so-called "washouts," Laughlin adds.

Ironically, the first CCI canine graduate a quarter century ago was, you guessed it, a Lab-golden mix.

"It looks like we've come full circle, doesn't it?" concluded Laughlin.

Mark your calendar

The annual Evergreen Cat Fanciers all-breed show is scheduled Oct. 14-15 in the Seattle Center Flag Pavilion from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. both days.

The proceeds will benefit the Feral Cat Spay/Neuter Project in Lynnwood, founded in 1997 by a group of veterinarians and volunteers dedicated to humanely reducing the feral-cat population in the Puget Sound area.

With its spay-and-neuter services, it provides feral-cat caretakers an alternative to the trapping and euthanasia of thousands of these animals each year.

Since its inception, FCSNP-associated clinics have altered more than 2,000 cats and kittens, including a record 901 last year.

The volunteer project has approximately 200 veterinarians, 120 veterinary technicians and 800 others who trap, transport, perform surgery and do follow-up health care.

The show will feature competition in kittens (under 8 months of age), cats (unaltered), alters (those that have been sterilized and are older than 8 months), new breed and color (a category used to introduce a new breed or new color of a recognized breed) and the popular household pets (kittens and alters), which encourages owners of pets to become involved in show circles.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children (5 to 16) and seniors (60 and over). Children under 5 are free. A family package is $12 for two adults and three children or one adult and four children.

Baker wins bronze

You thought all the Olympics action was in Sydney, Australia, right?

Is there a chance you weren't aware that the Pets.com International Hedgehog Olympic Gymboree was conducted last weekend in Alsip, Ill.?

Well, I'm here to tell you we have a medalist in our midst.

Baker, owned by Gretchen Smith of Bellingham, won a bronze in the male pentathlon, which included floor exercises, sprint, shot put, hurdles and giant slalom.

Enough said.