Dogsey

Yep swans usually win. I have always kept my dogs away from swans if we are walking near rivers or ponds. I keep myself away too especially if they have babies. I know what they are capable of.

Don't think the dog was 'plucky' at all, it was very stupid in my opinion, and lucky it wasn't actually attacked by either the swan or the geese.

My youngest was feeding the ducks when he was about 4 and a swan charged up and bit him, scarey critters to be avoided up close and personal.

Most dogs have the nous to avoid swans head on. I avoid them too if it means passing too close on a narrow towpath. I've almost been knocked off the walkway over a lock by one in the past. It was tugging on my trainer laces as I was trying to get over the other side to open the lock! Where we've both got room I like them and will feed them.

In Berkshire there were lots of geese that could be very strident and quite spiteful too. So used to being fed by visitors to the park they badgered everyone.

Swans can be vicious creatures

Begs the question of why the dog was off-lead around the lake. Bugs the heck out of me when I see them chasing the ducks, geese, swans and other inhabitants and particularly so when there are young around

What a nasty photo! Never would I allow him to threaten birds like that. That dog doesn't look like he's playing, and I know for sure the swan is not playing.

Nigredo is allowed to swim in bird filled lakes, but he is a mild mannered dog who doesn't bother the birds, but just likes to look. If he ventures too close, I'll just call him back (not take a photo).

Here's a piccie of me 'feeding the swans' down on the river at Caversham outside my son's place. They also used to stick their necks over the side of our boat and sometimes pinch the food you had in your hand! One pinched an apple I was eating one day!

Awesome, Tang. Far better than that standoff photo on the site. There are no swans here, and I never realized how big they are. Shocker, truly.