...actually, the closest we figure is that Kate is part-Labrador Retriever and part-Cocker Spaniel.  Spanador seems to be the popular name for this sort of dog mix.

Why Kate?  My mom is ultimately responsible for the name, since she apparently got a Kate Middleton vibe from the Spanador's eyes.  Either that, or her name is a tribute to the late Nate Dogg:  Kate Dog!  In any case, the name Kate is great because is rhymes with all sorts of words with the long-A sound.

I'm sure this website will have more photos of Kate in several future entries.