You may be misjudging Buddy. What you describe is what any well-
trained guard dog should do. He should prevent anyone from coming
into the house until someone further up the alpha-chain says it’s
okay. After the okay is given the visitor is safe. Now whether
Buddy would actually do anything if you pushed the issue is
debatable because so many large and potentially dangerous breeds
have had the “dangerous” pretty much bred out of them; however,
knowing something of the Bernese Mountain Dog’s history might make
one wary of taking a chance:
From Simon & Schuster’s Guide to Dogs, page 45: “The ancient Romans
used Bernese mountain dogs as fighting dogs and sent them into
battle armed with heavy iron-studded collars. Subsequently the
breed became excellent guardians of the herds especially in the
hilly regions of Switzerland. They are untiring, often unruly,
resistant to the coldest winters, and excellent defenders of stable
or home. Because of their amenability to training, they have also
been used by the police. . . .”
Lawrence
-----Original Message-----
From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-
bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of David Ritchie
Sent: Thursday, June 01, 2006 9:12 AM
To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Can't have a gun? Get a dog
On Jun 1, 2006, at 8:09 AM, Omar Kusturica wrote:
> I've got to admit that I have always suspected the
> people who take big dogs to protect them of being
> cowards. Not sure about guns.
>
Sometimes the dogs themselves seem like cowards, or print union
members
in the era of Harold Wilson. Our friends have a Bernese Mountain Dog,
about the size of a small bear. When you arrive at their door, he
barks like he wants to take your arm off. They call out, "The door's
open." You step in. The dog goes, "I'm only paid for the barking.
The actual preventing should be done by a skilled member of the United
Brotherhood of Attack Poodles. So I'm done." And he lies down and
goes he back to sleep. "Buddy" is his name and being very
friendly--after a diverting display--is his game.
An ideal combination, I suppose. All the signs of a house defender
and
none of the danger that the dog will turn on you. I asked what they
were bred for. Carting cheese from here to there in the Alps, is what
I was told. Who knew there were cheese dogs?
David Ritchie,
Portland, Oregon
