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I've always referred to Captain Spike as a Defiant-class dog, and you only have to see him next to my former foster-dog Max the GSP to see why. Now Max is an athlete in his own right - a hunting dog, bred to flush and fetch game all day or follow a blood-trail and hold a wounded boar at bay if necessary. He's not lacking in the 'big guns' department. He's beautiful to watch in motion, his long springy effortless strides at the trot and his ground-eating gallop that seems to be permanently a foot or so above the ground. And he can run faster than Spike, much to Spike's chagrin.
However, watch Max trying to steal Spike's rugby ball, and watch the tough little Collie play to his strengths: Max can outrun Spike all right, but Max at full speed needs ten yards to stop or change direction in - Spike can do it in his own length. Every time Max's teeth come close to the ball, Spike stops dead or turns in his tracks and watches the bigger dog overshoot him, again and again and again. If Spike is feeling particularly evil he'll run towards a tree or the kiddies' slide, veer off at the last instant and stand there grinning while Max crashes.
Because Spike is fond of Max, he usually allows him to play with the rugby ball when they meet in the park; but Spike considers himself the Alpha dog and every now and then he feels the need to remind Max that he only gets the rugby ball through Spike's indulgence. He waits for the moment when someone kicks the ball and Max starts chasing it, then launches a surgical strike... Spike's top speed is lower than Max's, but he can reach top speed much, much quicker, and Max never sees him coming. Just as Max extends his neck to reach for the ball, a black blur uncloaks from the side and neatly snatches it from inches in front of Max's nose.
Last week Spike cut it a bit fine and collided with Max. Max yelped, did a triple backward somersault and came up limping. Spike didn't break his stride or drop the ball...
(Edit: for anyone unaccountably reading this months later - Max=Squish)
However, watch Max trying to steal Spike's rugby ball, and watch the tough little Collie play to his strengths: Max can outrun Spike all right, but Max at full speed needs ten yards to stop or change direction in - Spike can do it in his own length. Every time Max's teeth come close to the ball, Spike stops dead or turns in his tracks and watches the bigger dog overshoot him, again and again and again. If Spike is feeling particularly evil he'll run towards a tree or the kiddies' slide, veer off at the last instant and stand there grinning while Max crashes.
Because Spike is fond of Max, he usually allows him to play with the rugby ball when they meet in the park; but Spike considers himself the Alpha dog and every now and then he feels the need to remind Max that he only gets the rugby ball through Spike's indulgence. He waits for the moment when someone kicks the ball and Max starts chasing it, then launches a surgical strike... Spike's top speed is lower than Max's, but he can reach top speed much, much quicker, and Max never sees him coming. Just as Max extends his neck to reach for the ball, a black blur uncloaks from the side and neatly snatches it from inches in front of Max's nose.
Last week Spike cut it a bit fine and collided with Max. Max yelped, did a triple backward somersault and came up limping. Spike didn't break his stride or drop the ball...
(Edit: for anyone unaccountably reading this months later - Max=Squish)
