05/06/2025
Dogs bred with a purpose, working alongside people will always be an absolute incredible sight to watch. What most won't understand is that in them, we see generations of careful, thoughtful cultivation of genetics designed for a specific purpose. And when that is fulfilled, it's magic. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a good 'ole mutt! But an intentionally bred working dog doing it's job is like watching poetry in motion. It's nothing short of watching art come to life. If we could all be so lucky to witness the beauty and truly appreciate the effort that's been put into it. ❤️
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I have a variety of dogs. I have sloth like Rupert, my Basset, who is a delight to live with. And then I have uninhibited Harry, who is powerful, fast and strong. He is not delightful to live with. However, I am so grateful to have a challenging dog like Harry.
Over a month ago early in the morning I was walking my dogs. I have two strong males, Johnny and Harry, and also sweet Rupert. We were just starting our walk with Harry and Rupert up ahead, when I heard Rupert scream. Screaming is not normal and I knew something was wrong. I called both dogs back. Harry came running with full hackles from neck to tail - I’d never even seen hackles like that on him before. There was no Rupert, which was abnormal and not a good sign. I was worried and raced up the hill. I had not gotten far when Pippa was looking across my body and barking, with her tail straight up. I looked to see what she was barking at, and it took me a moment to see it. Right next to me, camouflage in the grass and branches was a big cougar, holding her ground, crouched, ears flat, and wagging her tail at me.
I thought she had Rupert so I charged her waving weapons. I was so angry and adrenalized thinking she had my Rupert. I ran at her wanting to kill her.
Time then stood still. I charged and she calmly awaited my arrival. It was incredibly demotivating to realize how powerless I was.
Here is where noble Kate stepped in and charged. My little Border Collie ran aggressively at an animal more than double her size. I think she bit the cat in the side. Even if she didn’t, she made a noble attempt as the cat swung around and swatted at her.
Both the cat and Kate realized she was a food source. Kate casually said, “I tried” and came and stood next to me. As Kate left, the cat squared up on me again, staring at me. Now all my dogs, but Rupert, were with me, awaiting instructions.
Not knowing if Rupert was alive or dead, I needed the cat to leave so I could find him. Plus, the cat’s focus was on me, in a crouched position ready to pounce, ten feet away. I sent Johnny in, and he charged barking. He did move the cat away momentarily, then she squared up on me and moved closer. Whenever she squared up, she was 10 feet away staring me in the eyes.
Watching Johnny fail to scare her, I panicked and sent Harry. Harry flew in, never slowed down, and never made a sound. He’d been waiting his whole life for this moment. He intended to knock her flat, and she knew it, and ran away, in the direction of Rupert who screamed again. I now knew he was alive albeit terrified. Once she ran away, he ran back as fast as he could, and got into my car even faster.
Most of my client’s have Rupert type dogs - when a true threat is presented they scream and run away to hide. Some have Kates, filled with bluster, who can be a struggle to live with and control. The Johnny and Harry type dogs are of a different league, filled with courage and desire to fight. They are a disaster in most homes.
There are rumblings that the Harry and Johnny type dogs no longer have a place in society - why do we need dogs that want to fight?
This type of dog is bred for the military and police, and are bred to fight and enjoy it. Working dogs have an equally valued place in society as the Ruperts and Kates. In this scenario, this cougar wanted to fight me and my six dogs. Without Harry and Johnny the cougar would have won. I wouldn’t be writing now.
I live to hike and explore. With my boys, I know I’m safe out there. This type of dog is not for most, but that doesn’t negate their value and importance. These dogs have taken years and years to create. If we start to breed them softer so that the average dog owner can succeed with them, it would take many generations of breeding to get the hardness and desire to fight back.
Sports like IGP breed these dogs for the military and police. In competition the dog’s character and desire to fight are tested, and scored. This tiny little sport will seem odd to most, but plays a valuable societal role in keeping top genetic bloodlines available for police and military. Harry and Johnny both come from IGP bloodlines and Harry’s brother is a successful police dog in the USA. It is vital that this sport continues to test true character so that we do not lose the dogs with courage for easier to manage false bluster.
You might ask what Pippa did throughout this encounter. She laid down on the path, scared, wanting the conflict to stop, and was scared to go walking for the next week!
Monique Anstee
Victoria, BC
Author of As a Dog Thinketh
