Sad news, car enthusiasts and dog lovers. Top Gear Dog is dead.
If you’re a fan of the British automotive show Top Gear, you would be saddened to know that Top Gear Dog — a labradoodle introduced to the show nearly 10 years ago by host Richard Hammond — has passed away at the age of 11.
A tweet on Top Gear Dog’s Twitter account made by a member of the Hammond household has confirmed the news.
Top Gear Dog, also known as TG, joined the show in Series 8 back in 2006 in an attempt to keep the show fresh and exciting.
‘James,’ Clarkson said briskly. ‘Have YOU got any ideas to discuss?’ ‘Well, yes,’ May replied, without missing a beat. ‘I was wondering if we could get a dog …’ Never has a room been in such instant and unanimous agreement. This sounded like a brilliant idea. Blue Peter had a dog. Doctor Who had a dog. Sort of. Why shouldn’t Top Gear have a dog? I can’t remember a a dog so that was that; we got a dog. Normally if a TV show decided such a thing they’d have to hire a suitable mutt from a reassuringly expensive company in the business of supplying animals to TV shows, but Top Gear was more fortunate because Richard Hammond had spotted a small corner of his house that wasn’t infested with creatures and was already thinking of finding another dog to fill it. His latest pet would become our new star. A few weeks later the Hammonds adopted a Labradoodle puppy which the office decided should be called Top Gear Dog. At home she was simply Teegee. — excerpt from Top Gear script editor Richard Porter’s book, And On That Bombshell
She was originally going to be named “Prius,” after the Toyota hybrid car reviled by hardcore auto fans, because she was “slow.” Jeremy Clarkson thought the name was inappropriate because she ate a lot, contradicting the Prius’s fuel economy benefits. They then decided on the more fitting name of “Top Gear Dog.”
She has since appeared in several episodes, the most memorable of which is when she went with hosts Clarkson, Hammond, and May on a caravan holiday challenge, where she threw up copious amounts of puke in the back of the car.
Despite being considered by Top Gear fans as a “pseudo-presenter” of the show, in reality, Top Gear Dog hated cars. By Series 9, she was retired from the show and went to live with the Hammonds in their Herefordshire home.
Have fun in doggie heaven, TG.
