Jake is a floppy idiot most of the time. I took the time and effort to get him(us) through obedience school and well introduced to every strange dog, cat and kid I could find and it has paid off.

He is a very quiet dog & seldom barks at visual events (but make a noise outside and Hoo boy). A couple days ago during a snow storm he was looking out the front window and growling. Then he stood up and growled like he never has before (for a 35 lb dog he has an impressive growl!). I wasn't sure if I should run or grab a gun, and when I peeked around the corner I saw my neighbor across the street neighbor, who has the driveway from hell, silding out of control and already on our side of the road and headed down our lawn towards our window! Jake was going to take on a 5,000 lb Dodge Ram 1500 that was attacking his house! (Stopped once he got off the pavement, PHEW!)

They tell me the Irish commoners liked them because they would kill the landowner's Irish Wolfhounds silently. He got Airdale teeth on a 22' shoulder height. Mebbe so. He won't back down from any other dog and that has lead to some misunderstandings about who is aggressive.

He's got an Irish sense of humor and we love him dearly. The neighbors have two pit bulls (well trained dogs with an invisible fence they honor very well) and Jake teases them by just sitting quietly and watching on "his" side of the line as they flip, bark and flop, and later leaves them "presents" when he knows they are inside. I scold him (and then laugh).