Bruce's Barks

Bruce just turned 6 months today! This puppy has obviously grown and learned so much. From a puny and scared puppy at 3 months old, he opened up to a charming and sweet 6 month dog.

We've noticed something different with Bruce now. Apart from his huge size, his barks begin to be distinct and different. Just like a boy's voice hitting puberty. His barks to us, his family and the rest of the pack, have this shrill pitch and quality. It's more of a bark of happiness and wanting to get attention.

But lately, we've been having people coming over, strangers to him like the electrician and the pest control guy. His barks towards foreign noise and strangers are big and deep, the type that doesn't annoy but shatters eardrums. The bark comes from his stomach and it's definitely not a happy bark, but a warning to stay away. It's scary. Apart form the bark, he performs this bullmastiff stand and face projection. He concentrates and wiggles his nose to sniff the scent. If he senses that things are safe and clear, he goes back to his same old self, lies down and paints a happy charming face. Considering bullmastiffs don't bark that much that whenever they do it's because they desperately need something or sends a warning signal, which is technically their nature's job. His barks are loud but different. One is a whining bark while the other is scary that's meant to stop people from doing what they're doing.

I watched a bullmastiff video doing K9 training once. Bruce did the exact same things from the bark, stand and facial expression and yet we didn't teach him anything. I think his guarding traits are naturally born in bull mastiffs. Bruce's bark and stand remind us of his naturally protective side, which is the main reason why his breed is such a popular family guard dog. He never attacks though, but he stands in front of me and warns the stranger to get back. With his loud bark, we are bound to be alerted.

I can't wait if we have him trained in k9 level though. It would just enhance his being a great utility-guard dog.

Bruce, our charming protector.