[quote1315617668=Tonedog] At times the bear was tethered, sometimes it was swimming in the thames river, sometimes fights between some guys bulldog and some guy's bear just broke out on the london streets. Sometimes the bear wore a special helmet and collar to protect it. All are referenced in history. Also bull/mastiff type dogs were used to hunt wild bears too, and properly engage them. A dangerous quarry no doubt, but not just automatic death from a "smack" as you put it. Dogs are a lot more durable than they're often given credit for, and perhaps bears and other wild animals are not quite as outlandishly supernaturally formidable and dangerous as we're sometimes lead to believe. [/quote1315617668] Never said a smack was instant death just a deterrent, but hey I sing the praises of bully breeds as well, you didn't think I would owning an American Bulldog? LOL