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I think a lot of us with big friendly golden retrievers know the feeling!

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-Valerie

LOL Bentley would give them the combo to the safe for a belly rub...Ky on the other hand...let's just say, she doesn't fit in that article

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Maybe the dogs would have more of a protective instinct kicking in if their owners were in the house?

Hmmm... A couple of thoughts.

First, dogs are experts at reading body language. Could it be that they could discern by this gentleman's body language that he really intended no harm. Also, rather than evaluate the dog's response to merely entering the residence a direct threat to the dog's family would be a better test. This is impractical from an ethical standpoint however.

Second, some great guardian dogs were left out (clearly you can't test every breed) however I would have loved to see the reaction of a great pyrenees and a doberman to this experiment.

Just my initial thoughts.

With my goldens, experiment would be true. With my late Great Pyrenees, not so. Not sure if we weren't home, but if we were home, and somebody broke in in the middle of the night, he would have pinned them to the ground. If we let that same person in during the day, he would have acted like a golden retriever.

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This was my first thought, too. Along with body language, anyone who enters a home to steal would most likely be nervous and have a lot of adrenaline running through them. I'm sure that dog's would pick up on that by scent.

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Karen, Chance, Lucy and Savanah RB



“Everyone needs a dog to adore him, and a cat to bring him back to reality”

We had a german shepherd when I was young. Twice we had burglers. The first time, they simply opened up the refrigerator, put out a roast for Lobo to eat and started searching the bedrooms. He didn't eat the roast, but when we returned, he was sitting in the LR, still staring at it. The house was a mess. The second time, it was a friend of the family, and again, no house protection whatsoever.

I agree though, that the response would be different if the owners were present and afraid.

A few years ago,I had a used car for sale..A guy called me and wanted to come look at it.It was just starting to get dark,I had something to do in kitchen,so I let Toby out on the back porch. I thought,maybe he'll bark or move around and let me know when buyer shows up. Two or 3 minutes later,i look out door..Dogs gone off porch..
I look in driveway,guard dogs out in driveway,laying on his back,getting his belly scratched by two strangers,tails going,tongues out and he has his big happy face on..

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Shelley my golden retriever is wary of strangers if I'm not around. She keeps her distance but does bark,growl show her bristles, if push comes to shove I don't think she would hesitate. Shelley isn't your normal golden, she was almost stolen from me when she was a puppy ever since then she has been wary of strangers, Shes fine if shes beside me but if I'm not with her she is very defensive.

Rascal my chihuahua would bark his little head off and follow him around barking probably also will nip his heels, This dog hates strangers and makes a big fuss over it.

Missy my whippet would welcome them with open paws,she will do anything for pats. the guy would be able to take her with him,thats how friendly she is.

If Einstein was still with us he would run up to them with toy in my mouth asking them to play.

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I dunno...Layla chased poor old Uncle Tommy out of our house the other day (she hates him and he is such a nice guy). He tried to talk to her after being here for an hour, she was hiding between my legs, went psycho at him. When he finally decided to leave a half hour later she chased him to the door and made sure he went out of it. Layla does not like people outside of us! She really doesn't like men except for one of my sons friends and my son in law who is highly allergic, rarely comes here...but when he does Layla can't wait to climb in his lap LOL.

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Mom to:
Hurley (da Monster)-Siberian Husky 3-14-2007
Layla (Peanut)-Golden 11-29-2008
Cally (Squirt)-Yellow Lab 7-4-2011

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."
~ Unknown

At the Bridge: Dream, Aiyana, Wolfie and Gwen