Lab test

Charles Moore writes in the Christmas double issue of the Spectator:

Last week, I mentioned that our American friends the Frums came to stay and we all debated the euro. David and Danielle were also very kind to our labrador Dido, and advanced the interesting theory that the paws of all Labradors smell of popcorn. Being English, I affected not to know what popcorn smells like, but the Frums are, in fact, right. Consultation with canine experts suggests that this property is unique to the breed. No one knows why.

It is several years since I had a labrador on hand so I cannot test this immediately but the next time I see one and I am sure that no one is looking, I shall sniff its paws.