I must make a little confession here.
Remember that “black leopard” I wrote about several weeks ago?
I was pulling your leg.
It was actually the neighbors’ Rottweiler.
I don’t know her name, but she’s old arthritic.
I should note that big black cat sightings are actually large black domestic dogs.
In the US, the most popular breed is the Labrador retriever, which very often solid black in color.
Unlike a Rottweiler, it usually has a tail, so it’s much easier to confuse with a leopard with melanism.
Oh, bless the dear old lady (I have a huge soft spot for rotties). I suspected it was no leopard as the topline was off if it was on the prowl. I’m surprised any of us have a leg left between us – we don’t know when you’re being serious sometimes.
Between big black dogs and small black cats, that’s most of the worldwide black panther sightings cleared up. I have had quite a few people comment on the Tibetan Mastiff’s gait reminding them of a tiger. Good job he’s not allowed off his flexilead or we’d be having a local outbreak of big cat sightings!
Friends of mine have a Saarlooswolfhond bitch. From all the wolf-sightings they get in their village you could thinks the woods are full of wolf packs. ;)