Benny the Yorkie Chases a Black Bear Up a Tree

Quick Take

• A seven-pound terrier made a wild bear blink first. What did the bear do next?
• The bear's retreat isn't proof the dog is tougher. The real explanation is more interesting.
• This viral stunt could have ended very differently. Here's what's at stake when dogs meet bears.
• Bear country dog owners have a few simple habits worth knowing before opening the back door.

Nobody told Benny the Yorkshire terrier that he’s supposed to be afraid of bears. And judging by his reaction to an unexpected visitor in his North Carolina backyard, he probably wouldn’t have listened anyway.

In a remarkable encounter captured on video in Buncombe County, a tiny Yorkie named Benny decides that a black bear has overstayed its welcome. Rather than retreating from an animal many times his size, the little dog charges into action, barking and chasing the bear around a tree. The bear’s response? It starts climbing, apparently deciding that getting off the ground is preferable to dealing with this pint-sized troublemaker.

But Benny isn’t finished. As someone off-camera desperately calls for the little dog to stop, the bear eventually makes its way back down the tree. That’s when Benny resumes his pursuit, chasing the much larger animal across the yard until it escapes over a fence and disappears into the surrounding woods. Apparently, Benny takes his backyard security duties very seriously.

A Little Dog With a Lot of Confidence

The footage, shared by John and KC Murdoch and featured by ABC News, is a remarkable example of how differently animals can respond to perceived threats.

Benny’s owners have reportedly said their fearless little terrier regularly goes after animals that enter the yard, regardless of their size. This time, though, his determination put him face-to-face with a wild animal capable of seriously injuring him.

The contrast between the two animals is almost comical. Here’s a small Yorkshire terrier, a breed typically weighing around seven pounds, barking at a black bear that could outweigh him dozens of times over. Yet it’s the bear that ultimately decides to leave.

Fortunately, this particular encounter ended without a reported injury to Benny.

Why Would a Black Bear Run From Such a Small Dog?

Black bears are powerful animals, but they generally prefer avoiding confrontations when they have an opportunity to escape. They’re also excellent climbers, using their strong limbs and curved claws to scale trees when threatened.

A barking, charging dog can be enough to make a bear retreat, particularly when the animal has an available escape route. That doesn’t mean the dog is actually stronger or that every bear will react the same way.

Black bears can defend themselves aggressively when cornered, startled, or threatened, and even a relatively small bear is more than capable of seriously injuring a dog.

Wildlife experts recommend keeping dogs away from bears rather than allowing them to chase or harass the animals. Pet owners in bear country should check their yards before letting dogs outside, supervise their pets, and secure potential food attractants such as garbage and pet food.

Benny’s encounter may have produced an unforgettable video, but it’s certainly not something owners should encourage their pets to imitate.

Still, it’s hard not to admire the little Yorkie’s enormous confidence. He saw a bear in his backyard, decided the visitor wasn’t welcome, and made his opinion abundantly clear.

The bear apparently got the message.