Went to visit Eldest Son today and got home to find Hansel in the front garden. Weird I thought. Maybe he had a ruck with Murphy and OH put him out front to cool down (not that fights were frequent and there hasn't been one since his castration - and we used to put him in the more secure back garden).

Tried the door - locked. No answer when I knocked. While I was fishing around in my handbag for my keys, OH comes walking up the street others dogs in tow.

I had Han tucked under my arm, so OH saw him straight away. You have never seen such a look of relief on a face as when OH saw Hansel! "Was he back here?"

Turns out he was playing nicely with a GSD, then it had sniffed Buffy's bum and she had run, the GSD chased, Han broke into a full run. Nothing nasty - Buffy and the GSD were playing - but all dogs had been recalled to heal. GSD went straight back to its owner, Buffy, Murphy and Billie to OH. But Hansel carried on running

OH spent the next 40 minutes looking for him along the usual route before deciding to drop off the other dogs and go back out to look for him.

In the mean time Hansel had returned home Couldn't get over the gate, so one of the neighbours kids had put him over the gate into the front garden.

In a way, there is good news here. Hansel ran away a few weeks after we got him and ran from anyone who approached him. He was only caught when he was too hungry to run, fast asleep in a tree root. Now, a little over a year later, not only did he run home, but he not only went to a near stranger when called, but allowed him to pick him up.

The bad news is obviously the recall!! Up until now, it has been fantastic. I can recall him off a rabbit chase. OH will be undertaking remedial recall work. He's already started with my whistle - which up until now he thought he didn't need.

Not sure what - other than a heavily conditioned emergency recall and/or down - OH could have done different that would have helped. Plus no harm done, but he still feels awful.

Of course, Han is up on his chair sleeping like nothing has happened!! They don't realise the worry they cause us!!

People and dogs not being programable computers we all get caught out now and again with an untypical, unexpected response in a situation once in a while.
Such a relief when all ends well though.
On a couple of occasions my nervous dog has been chased out of the park by aggressive bully dogs as she tried to escape them and so has run for home in a panic, seeking a safe refuge.
It's not so bad if I am between her and the dog as she then clings to me but sometimes they come out of nowhere and get between her and me and if she's walking near home and she can't get past it back to me she'll bolt for home
Only happened couple of times in 6 years when I've been caught unawares but dreadful experience each time. I've run after them dreading hearing squealing brakes, car horns or ominous thuds.
She'll stop and come to me if they stop chasing but no way will she listen when paniced with what she sees as the killer dog from hell right on her tail

Such a relief to get her safely back *wipes nervous sweat from brow*

Any further thoughts on the Bouviere or Pulis etc?

Yeah - OH is still a bit shook up. Big old softie that he is. He wouldn't mind, but the GSD was not in any way aggressive, just got a bit lively.

They'd met Cocker Puppy, Little Yorkie & Blue Yorkie, Old Staffie 1, Old Staffie 2 and another GSD before this dog - whom they hadn't met before. Dogs were only called back as excited, bouncy GSD + playful Chinese Crested could lead to accidents. Whether Han got scared or just into full run mode and then 'lost' OH so went home, he isn't sure.

We're still keen on a Bouvier (Pulis are cool - but not quite what were after. A neighbour has two - but doesn't cord them)

The Bouviers I saw were smaller than the Rotts I know, but looking at the breed standard they are more or less the same size as you pointed out - 1cm in it and a similar build. Having had six+ stone of Rott decide it is a lap dog, I was keen on something less crushing. I went to pick up the Rott in question (Billie) for her walk but sat down for a cup of tea first, Billie jumped on my lap A 'totally untypical, unexpected response'

We're taking our time. Although we'd like a guard breed, the Standard Poodle is in the running still. Ticks most boxes and could end up the better option. Though OH said I have to promise not to put it in a lion cut. I'm not sure I can make that promise

Should have put all that in my Bouvier thread shouldn't I

threaten to have a white one, with a lion cut, so you can dye it different colours......... pink, lilac, gold

*ducks before flamed by other posters for JOKINGLY suggesting dyeing poodle*

My German shepherd used to try to get on my lap when there was a crane fly in the room, until eventually desensitised her to it a bit