Big Love
The handsome Laz, just one of the big dogs at the author’s dog ranch, Boontoo.
It’s a misty morning and I am out walking in my back field. The fog can get pretty thick sometimes as day breaks at the farm. I can’t see very far. The mountains ahead are enveloped in a muted grey sky soup, and I hear foghorns from the sea behind my back. The air smells salty fresh.
I make a little kissing noise and within seconds hear a sound that resembles the cadence and intensity of a herd of wild horses thundering behind me, getting closer by the second. I reach my right arm out, palm flat and facing backwards, just in time to feel a moist swipe across it, while at the same time I feel a rush of air move past me on my left, as the sound fades into the distance in front of me.
I’ve just been buzzed by a pack of Belgian Shepherds. I love that feeling--300 lbs of muscle, fur, and teeth flying right at me. Such a thrill! After racing by, they turn back to me, all floppy tongued with big smiles, trotting around in semicircles, cooling off after their big sprint.
After the Belgian brigade has been properly exercised, I move on to my foster project dog. I call him Hundi and he’s a strapping, gorgeous specimen of a Rottweiler - all 110 pounds of him. We are working on his leash walking skills and also his formal heeling (walking with his right shoulder at my left thigh) to give him some manners and fancy moves to better showcase him to potential adopters. When Hundi is in heel position, his head is in the perfect spot for me to rest my hand on top of it or to give him a little scratch behind the ear for encouragement. I feel escorted, flanked by a gallant gentleman.
You may have noticed a commonality in the scenes above. I like big dogs. I have absolutely nothing against small dogs. I adore them, too. I have one and she adds pure joy to my life. But for as long as I can remember, I have been in awe of large dogs. As a kid, they made me feel protected. Untouchable. Powerful. Perhaps they still do.
I love the feeling of earning the cooperation of a magnificent creature that I could not harness by force. We must become friends, allies. A big dog really has to want to be in my company in order to play my games and follow my cues.
Over the years, I may not have lost the romantic notions that first drew me to big dogs; however, I have also learned a few practicalities. I will share some of them here with you.
OG Boontoo Crew
Big dogs do not necessarily need more exercise than small dogs; sometimes quite the opposite. Think of the quick-as-lightning, fiery Jack Russell Terrier versus the ambling, easygoing Newfoundland, for instance.
Big dogs eat…a lot! Their toys, chews, and meds cost more than a small dog’s would, and you’ll need a big car, too, for hauling them around.
Big dogs sometimes scare people, simply by being big. If you have a large dog in your life, it is very important to teach him how to be polite around people. Folks will perhaps tolerate a tiny dog who jumps up to say hello, even if they find it irritating, but people get really upset when a big dog jumps on them. Teach the big dog in your life to default to an auto sit when meeting people.
Big dogs generally don’t love to be picked up, but you can teach them to hug on cue and it’s the best!
Speaking of manners… It hurts when a big dog steps on your toes or runs into you. Training is imperative. Also, a big dog can reach things that little dogs can’t such as kitchen counters, dining tables, coat racks, etc. So teaching a solid “leave it” as well as good habits regarding what to chew (ahem, rubber chew toys) is essential.
Big dogs will really keep you warm when camping. You may not even need a blanket.
Big dogs can pull you up hills on hikes. It’s not cheating, it’s canine conditioning!
Big dogs are not necessarily tough. Many of them are sensitive souls.
But the best lesson I’ve learned over the years from my dogs is that, in the big picture, size doesn’t matter. When it comes to love, big or small, it’s the relationship that brings it all.