Bear vs. The Groundhog [Archive] - Chazhound Dog Forum

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Renee750il
12-17-2004, 08:57 PM
This really happened. Promise.

Bear, the German Shepherd/Akita mix who was my sidekick for many years, had a "thing" for groundhogs. He just despised them. Thought they were a blight on the earth. This viewpoint made him very popular with the farmers when I'd take him on farm surveys when I helped my Dad; more than one tried to buy him, and a couple even tried to get my Dad to sneak and sell him when I wasn't with him!

I was living in a big old farmhouse I rented from a friend. Her new house was just over the hill, and every morning we would meet and take a walk on a two mile path around the farm. Bear went with us, as did her Terrier mix, Poodle and BJ, the elderly Beagle. About one-third of the way from the house there was a huge groundhog hole. Every morning Bear would sniff and snort at that groundhog's hole, paw at it, dig a little and bellow down it. The groundhog, not having any great desire to end his life, sensibly stayed way down deep in the hole.

Bear would get utterly frustrated.

But he found a strange way to alleviate his frustrations.

Each and every morning, after all the histrionics were over and the groundhog refused to come out to be dispatched, Bear would crouch over the hole and make use of it as his own personal toilet.

It kind of made me feel sorry for that poor, suffering groundhog.

poodlesmom
12-17-2004, 10:06 PM
Quite an ingenious way for Bear to get even with the groundhog for not cooperating and letting him have a chase! :)

chazhound
12-18-2004, 01:06 AM
The poor groundhog... better than being caught I guess.

Sandy_Gurl24
12-18-2004, 07:07 AM
Great story! That is amazing that something like that would happen, I would never have thought!.... :)

becca_4321
12-20-2004, 07:16 PM
We have groundhogs that have made their home under our place of business. One day I was taking Princess (our 1 yr old Chow) out to potty, just as we was stepping off the deck, a groundhog was running to his hole, the two ran into each other. Ever since that day, Princess slowly walks unto the deck, stops at the edge, waits to see if a groundhog is there before she will step down. She could use lessons from your dog!

Renee750il
12-21-2004, 10:21 AM
Becca, don't be too hard on Princess. She's actually being smart. A groundhog can do a lot of damage to a dog. I'm very relieved that all of mine are extremely adept at catching them since they all consider groundhogs prime treats. Bimmer (GSD/wolf mix) has taught both of the girls how to deal with groundhogs - and to eat them - ugh. Bear (GSD/Akita) was just an exemplary hunter. He had more attitude than any dog I've ever seen; he was a big, wonderful, confident, competent dog.