Blog 5 - Big Bark, Small Bark everywhere a Bark, Bark...

If old McDonald's farm song was substituted or replaced with my neighborhood, and we sang about dogs the size of the dog would have to be sung about. A big dog there, a little dog there here a dog there dog everywhere a dog, dog. And yes size matters.

My dog Ula, a German Shepard compared to my neighbor's dog's who each have two on either side of my house are couple(s) of Dachshund dogs. All five of the dogs share similarities they all are German dog breeds. However But it come to barking behavior of German Shepard's compared to Dachshund's they are totally opposites.

Ula is a small for a large dog only about 90 pounds, she is the most friendly nonchalant dog ever. When my real estate office is open she lays on the floor at/in front of the office door ignores every body she just lays there. Makes strangers walk over her. She maybe looks up at them wags her tail a couple of times but that's about it.

Compare to my neighbors Dachshunds they go ballistic every time they step outside, they bark at anything. A bush moved or a bee flew by either of these events would result in at least a 30 seconds of barking.

Which if it continues after half a minute Ula has to run out and check out! What's all the barking about?. Ula runs to edge of my yard and barks twice, once at each of the dogs, as if to say relax already.

The old saying it's not the size of the dog it's bark in them. They are right. Small dogs lots of barking. Once they stir things up they run back to "mommy" who most likely will pick them up like little babies and say "what's a matter little girl?" As each of Dachshunds continue to bark and bark and bark.

Ula, on the other hand if she is barking and barking at you, I would suggest getting some distance between you and Ula, you might be better off running because when she gets to you even if she is thinking your playing, it is going to be rough. Her tail will be wagging she wants to play but she just does not know her own strength she gets caught up in the moment and plays hard. She will not bite but she'll jump up on you, might grab you with her mouth but not bite, it is scary. Here's German Shepard who wants to play tag and have you run after her, have you give a push when you catch her. Typical "Big Dog Park" game playing.

When it come down to it. the temperament and not being overly anxious, these two breeds of dogs are miles apart.