Tiny Dog Tries to Confront a Grizzly Bear 100x Its Size Before Its Owner Finally Stops Him

Grizzly 399 with a cub
© BlueBarronPhoto/Shutterstock.com

Written by Zeek Lepakko

Published: November 5, 2023

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Dogs are ambitious, headstrong, and loyal animals, so it’s no surprise they’ve been a family favorite forever. However, many pups aren’t aware of their size, often with hilarious results. In the clip below, we see one such canine, a toy poodle, who decides to protect his owners from a massive bear. It seems a hiker and their two poodles were enjoying a brisk nature walk when a grizzly crossed their path. The larger of the two dogs stays close to its master, but the hardy little one charges off to face the intruder. The hero of the hour only desists after being recalled several, likely saving his skin in the process! As the video ends, we see that the defensive doggie is still standing at the ready and staring down the distant threat. Continue scrolling to see this averted disaster for yourself!

See Real Poodle Bravery in Action

Do Poodles Make Good Protection Dogs?

toy and standard poodle are played on the lawn. Pedigree dogs of apricot color.

All sizes of the poodle breed are capable of having a balanced, goal-based disposition.

©Velimir Zeland/Shutterstock.com

Perhaps personal protection dogs summon the thought of German Shepherds and Doberman Pinschers. However, hot on the heels of these highly regarded pups are none other than poodles. Although the zany hairstyles of the poodle may make this a confusing concept, it’s no less than the truth. Truly, this breed has been used as a solid working companion since the 17th century. Not only were they once valued for military tasks, but they nowadays have a knack for hunting and medical assistance jobs. Known for their stunning work ethic, these dogs are intelligent and efficient service animals with a splash of style.

Are Grizzly Bears Scared of Dogs?

Bear and Wolf

As highly honed predators that share ranges, wild dogs and bears have a complex relationship.

©iStock.com/Mats Lindberg

The answer to this loaded question might surprise you – observations have shown that yes, bears do get spooked by dogs! While leashed or confined pups usually don’t deter mighty bears, dogs on the offensive give bears concerns of their own. You see, in the wild, wild canines and bears have been known to cohabitate with mixed results. Sometimes, they’ll respect boundaries and leave each other alone, while other times clashes can break out over food. Seeing this tentative rivalry with animals like wolves, it’s clear why bears might think twice about messing with dogs.

Even so, domestic dogs can often rush to chase off bears in an attempt to protect their family. However, especially in the case of smaller dogs, the risk of injury is incredibly high. For this reason, it’s critical that family pets be kept under supervision and preferably on a leash while in bear country. That way, the likelihood of any tussles with wildlife can be kept to a minimum.


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About the Author

Zeek is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering wildlife in Africa and international travel. Zeek has been studying animals for over 15 years and holds an Associate's Degree in Arts from Lone Star Montgomery, earned in 2011. A resident of Washington, Zeek enjoys designing video games and training his Shiba Inu, Cheems.

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