Good to know if you ever turn to a life of crime

With the new puppy, our boys are interested in all things dog. Especially big dog. We're constantly answering questions about breed and temperment now.

G-man and Book'em were wondering how our Old English pup, Albert, would react if a burglar broke into our home. Would he protect us? He's getting bigger and at 19 weeks is now a fairly large dog already. They weren't sure if he'd be playful and goofy with a robber the way he is with visitors or if he'd let out one of his now deeper barks.

I told them how our late sheepdog, good old Duncan dog, was quite shy but he would give off a big bark. He scared off would-be burglars from our apartment when their Daddy was in university in Toronto - bad guys who had cleaned out everything of value from our neighbour's unit. He also, one late night when I was walking him alone in downtown, barked a massively threatening-sounding bark at some men who were bothering me and they went running. The boys of course delighted in these stories of Old English Sheepdog heroism.

Then I remembered what our former landlady here in BC told us about Dobermans. She had two Dobermans and her family had always owned the breed. She said in their experience with real life bad guys coming into their homes at different times that Dobermans will let you in the home. But they won't let you leave. At least not till the owners and police get there.

Isn't that amazing?