Luca and Bobby the TCA-Detecting Labrador Retrievers

These detectives-for-hire from Oregon wine country's Kismet K9 are all business—when they're not home with sommelier Katy Simanski

Luca the TCA-detecting Labrador Retriever sits at attention. — Luca sits at attention, waiting to sniff out the next tainted wine barrel.

Feb 19, 2021

Owner: Katy Simanski, co-founder of Kismet K9 TCA Detection

Location: Bend, Ore.

Dog Names: Luca and Bobby

Ages: 18 months and 1 year

Breed: Labrador Retrievers

Luca and Bobby the TCA-detecting Labrador Retrievers cuddle up with each other on the couch.

Luca, left, and Bobby snuggle up on the couch after a long day of work.

In a Word: Reliable

Job Title: Kismet K9 TCA Detection

Star Quality: Both dogs are scent detection dogs trained to identify TCA. We check winery facilities and equipment to be sure they won’t contaminate their wine.

Favorite Getaway: When not working, they enjoy off-leash hiking and playing in the Deschutes River. And they love the couch.

Forgivable Flaw: They cannot be trusted in the kitchen; we have to keep it gated off. Luca especially is a counter surfer. Bobby loves to eat socks.

Background Story: They were professionally trained by Scent Evidence K9 in Florida and traveled cross-country to join our team and family.