Page 32 - Waterfall_Issue 6_2022

Waterfall Lifestyle

POWER BREED SAVVY

By Casey Brown

Whether it’s going on

a Parkrun or taking the
‘family’ to watch a club

rugby match, it turns out
taking pooch along is a

great ice-breaker when it
comes to engaging with

complete strangers. And,
as I found out recently,

one can learn a lot from
other dog-lovers.

PHOTO BY TIMOTHY PERRY
M y significant other is spectators (ours were the away teams), I find it strange that the staff at

who stopped dead in their tracks the
pet stores have never mentioned
passionate about his
this unspoken code before, but
moment they saw us, and turned
club rugby. He’s also very
protective over our 2-year
old (teenage) puppy who’s almost around and walked the other way. for the uninitiated, these are
what the colours mean:
Our chatty club friend asked if our
never left alone at home. She falls pup was vicious – to which I replied, RED – this dog may be aggressive
into the category of being a power “No, not at all.” But it appeared that and one should not approach or
breed – and you may have guessed, the sturdy red leash that we had allow other dogs to approach it.
she’s a Pitbull – an innocent, non- her on was indicating otherwise. ORANGE – likes people, but does
aggressive, very indulged princess. not get on with other dogs.
Other breeds that fall into the category As a kid, my family always owned dogs. DARK YELLOW – up for adoption.
of being a power breed include Yet, this was the first time that I heard LIGHT YELLOW – this dog is anxious
Mastiffs, Dobermans, Rottweilers, Bull about the colour-coding of leashes. and needs to be left alone.
Terriers and Staffies, amongst others. We had bought the red leash when GREEN – friendly and sociable.
the pavement special Canis Africanis, BLUE – service dog in training.
Taking a power breed to a rugby match acquired from the ‘mayor’ of a squatter PURPLE – do not feed.
always causes a stir, but what I didn’t camp for R30, grew into a really solid, WHITE – the dog is either deaf or blind.
know is that we were inadvertently but placid, Mastiff/Labrador. Max has
transmitting an unspoken signal since passed on to the Happy Hunting The advice of all authorities on canine
that we were completely oblivious Grounds, but while he was with us, he behaviour is to always ask the owner’s
of, until one of our club members certainly did enjoy those walks and the permission before approaching a dog
stopped to chat (pretty much Parkruns, securely attached to one of us to pat it. It is actually good manners,
every time he walked past us!). by that same trusty red leash. But now in any event, but it may also avoid
that I’ve heard about the colour-coding, those nasty surprises, if by any chance
I must admit, I was puzzled by the it does make me wonder – was the red it turns out that the dog is not in the
behaviour of some of the home leash in fact strong for a different reason? right mood to be petted by strangers.

30 Waterfall Issue 6 2022