Smart Dog

It is said that Border Collies are among the most intelligent of dogs and  to that I can attest.  They are not only verbally intelligent  but they are situationally intelligent.  I can tell my dog , "Dog Coming"  while we are out walking and he will come to attention to see if it is one of his friends or if it is some new dog with whom he needs to make acquaintance, sniff ears, and sniff butts.  Mine is a calm dog and he is interested in meeting all the dogs he comes across and he exhibits no agressive tendencies whatsoever.  However, should a dog growl at him, he immediately goes on high alert and into protective mode.   He can meet Harry, Darby, Highway, Brownine, Suzie, Zoey , Bucko, Skippy, Jesse, Molly, Buddy 1 and Buddy 2  without problem.  He will run with them, play with them and get excited to see them. Highway the Greyhound actually jumps in the air when she sees him. Darby the Irish Setter literally cries when she sees him.  But down the street there is a family with 3 schnauzers and although we have only met up a couple of times, each time it has been a showdown.

The first time, the owner called out to me to tell me that his dogs were not good with other dogs and that of course was an understatement.  They lunged and snarled and scared me,  But at the first growl, my boy was going to let them know he was not going to be bullied.  He was letting them know that he was not going to back down.

But if he should meet the Schnauzers down the street, he is on high alert.  So this morning as we walked at 6 AM,  we had to pass the home of the Schnauzers and I could hear them start to growl from within the house, through the open windows.  Sure enough , my dogs hair went up, and he assumed his defensive pose.  But the best part waqs they were inside and their owners were going to deal with the rude awakening.

I told him that they were inside and let's just move along.  I think the Schnauzer people must have appreciated being awakened at 6 by their barking, snarling darlings .

My dog also will not be bullied by the Swans down the end of the lake, the swans that hiss and come agressively at anyone or anything that  comes within  50 feet.   Pappa Swan has been scaring people away all summer, but my dog is not afraid and lets him know it.

While hiking my dog has barked away bears , without  showing any fear.

So, my question is this ?  Does he know something I don't ?  Is he just protecting me, his sheep ?  Or is he really just being stupid ?