That "primal" growl -- aka "the growl of dismemberment".

kojichankojichan
edited February 2009 in Shiba Inu (柴犬)
Was walking Koji the other morning, and came across a dog about Koji’s size, whose owner had him off leash in his front yard -- a violation of the leash laws in my community (not the first time we‘ve encountered this). I wouldn't have really cared much, except that the dog ran up to Koji and got all over him, which Koji HATES when he is on a leash. I guess the leash makes him feel at a disadvantage knowing that he simply can't run away or be free to maneuver the way he'd like when confronted like that.

The other dog was no real threat and was really just excited to see another dog. But his lack of "dog manners" really began to annoy Koji, and I couldn’t keep the dog away and off of him. At first Koji just gave a few barks that had the tone of “OK, fine, but settle down now. Enough is enough”. But the other dog just wasn’t getting the message, and kept it up.

That’s when Koji let out a “I mean business” growl that I have never heard come out of him before. It reminded me of a wolf that was about to attack -- an “if you don’t stop, I am going to tear your throat out” kind of growl. It really took me by surprise. I didn’t think he had it in him. But I guess any dog has their breaking point, if pushed long and far enough. Fortunately, the other dog’s owner finally got a hold of him, and pulled him away before it went any further. (Yes, I did offer a few words of “advice” to the owner.)

Anyone else ever observe their Shiba do that? Really threaten like that?

Comments

  • Honey's momHoney's mom
    edited November -1
    I dont think I've heard that kind of growl from Honey. Nothing really severe. But she does this weird growl when she sees dogs outside of our window. It a mix of a growl and a whine.
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    Oh, yes - maybe akobelt, mommyofniko, dlroberts can chime in about Jazz's growl. She has her intro level growl which is her back away now, her medium growl which is heard most often at the meetups, and then the growl of dismemberment which is a guarantee she's about to charge.
  • kojichankojichan
    edited November -1
    "...the growl of dismemberment". :-)

    You nailed it, LJ. That's a good way of describing what he sounded like.
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    It's very distinct, that's for sure.
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited November -1
    "Growl of dismemberment!" lol Do NOT want to be on the receiving end of that!~
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    It's kind of funny because when we are at meetups and she does the either of the first two growls, then (this happens about every third meetup) she does the Dismemberment Growl and anyone close by will go "...and Jazz is here"
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited March 2009
    lmao! It's like her formal announcement to a party. "& here comes the Queen..." :) ~
  • kojichankojichan
    edited November -1
    LJ, updated the title in Jazz' honor. :-)
  • ljowen123ljowen123
    edited November -1
    Jazz thanks you.
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    It really is quite funny to hear Jazz let out her full blown growl. She's this cute little prissy Shiba and then all of a sudden this noise that is 10x times her size comes out and everybody takes notice. I always giggle.
  • RyuRyu
    edited November -1
    When I took the dogs on our trail walk last week, we were taking a break on a bench while I messed with my camera gear. Another couple came by with their two labs who obviously wanted to play. They asked if my two were friendly, I said yes, and they came a little closer. Ryu let the other dog sniff but the lab lingered a little to long near his "stuff" and Ryu let out (IMO, a medium "Watch Your Step") growl and the couple shot me a "I thought you said your dogs were friendly!" look and quickly ushered their labs away. I couldn't care less but thought it was funny that they were so offended by Ryu's warning. It wasn't anywhere near his Growl of Dismemberment. Now, that growl, even gives me the heebie jeebies.
  • CaliaCalia
    edited November -1
    We took the boys for a walk around this place called "Avalon", at the beginning of Feb. This place is basically a maze of winding trails around a duck pond, and through some woods and fields. It's also not too far away from the ocean, so it takes just a skip and a hop to get to the beach.

    When we were heading to the car, there was this great big male swan sitting 2 feet from the sidewalk. As we passed him, he ruffled his feathers and made a great big hiss. Tikaani got excited and wanted to play, Tetsu instead made a very deep growl that I had never heard him do before. It was almost a "You better not start something" growl, and he just wouldn't stop trying to stare down the swan. I thought it was kind of funny, but what could I expect, neither of them hadn't got to see any big birds since September.
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