Driving home recently from Morningstar, I stopped to let the couple walking their dog pass by in front of me, pausing for a moment.
Acting impulsively, I put my window down and politely yelled out, “great-looking mastiff."
As they passed by my front bumper both of them looked and offered an appreciative smile, I returned a similar one. As I drove away, looking in my rear-view mirror at the impressive beast, I knew without thinking about it I had to turn around and go back.
I made a safe U-turn and then drove about 50 yards past them before pulling over. As it had only been moments since that initial exchange of glances and smiles they definitely recognized me. Smiles appeared again and I announced to them before the three of them were very close “Hi, I’m Bill Flower, I write a local dog column in the paper called 'Barking Buddies'”
This usually puts all dog owners at ease and often allows me to follow on with getting to know them and their pooch. In this case the formidable Harley, the South African Boerboel, a variety of the bull mastiff and the most agile of all the mastiffs.
The Boerboel possesses many characteristics beyond their obvious physical presence and power.
Even as I speak to his owners Roy and Emma, Harley is pulling Roy through a treed area likes he’s on roller skates. As much as I want to cuddle Harley like he’s one of my little chihuahuas I had years ago, I know to be confident but careful around him.
The Romans used the mastiffs as gladiators and war dogs and later in Medieval times as hunting dogs and guard dogs. When the Boers settled in South Africa from Europe they brought with them mastiffs renamed Boerboels. They became prodigious hunting and guard dogs protecting home and livestock from lions and packs of marauding baboons.
Roy said Harley can at times be a little gruff so I pet him nicely and let him have his space. They also produce an amount of saliva and snot at a world record rate and I wasn’t going to sacrifice my favourite golf towel in the car to the necessary “clean up on aisle nine" scenario.
Boerboels usually range in size from 150 to 200 pounds and live from nine to 12 years, so three-year-old Harley has many years ahead of him to grow and, yes, drool.
Harley is calm and confident but not docile and if there is a warning to other dog owners, the Boerboel may show its dominance and assertiveness toward large dogs of the same sex.
They are alpha personified and aren’t the “jump up and down, let’s play" goofy type.
Don’t fear them, just respect them, admire them, enjoy them and perhaps avoid doing your imitation of a baboon or growling like a lion, around them.
Also, just as a reminder, this is one Harley you don’t get to ride.
Bill Flower is an avid dog lover and proud Parksville resident
