May 2026

Written By R.U. Steinberg

  • David Hockney is an English painter, draughtsman, printmaker, stage designer, and photographer who is known for painting his dachshunds, especially Stanley and Boodgie. They have been among his muses and recurring subjects in his work since 1987.

  • Cynology is the scientific or technical study of dogs. 

  • A study at Pennsylvania’s Wilkes University found that patting a dog led to a significant spike in immunoglobulin A, which acts as the first line of defense against respiratory and digestive infections. 

  • A recent study from the U.K.’s Royal Veterinary College found that three popular designer Poodle-crossbreeds - Cockapoos, Labradoodles, and Cavapoos - often display higher levels of undesirable behaviors than their purebred parent breeds.

  • According to Bill Farmer, Goofy’s voice actor since 1987, his Disney character is an anthropomorphic dog, meaning he has human-like characteristics such as talking and walking on two legs, but he is not a literal dog. Pluto, however, is a dog.

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 a party. Got any facts? Email them to Mr. Smarty Pants for possible inclusion in the column at MrPants@AustinChronicle.com.

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April 2026