‘A very brave dog’: Alberta Doberman honoured for saving owner from grizzly bear

A 10-year-old Doberman from Cochrane is being recognized after saving his owner from a grizzly bear attack last spring.

— A Cochrane man’s 10-year-old Doberman has been inducted into the Purina Animal Hall of Fame after saving him from a charging grizzly bear last spring.

Craig Campbell, 70, was hiking a familiar trail about 10 kilometres northwest of Cochrane in May 2024 when he stumbled upon a grizzly sow and her two cubs.

What started as a routine walk turned into a life-or-death standoff.

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“I managed two thoughts,” Campbell recalled in an interview with CTV News. “First of all, I said to myself, ‘This can’t be happening.’ And then I realized I wasn’t going to get the bear spray out (in time) and I said to myself, ‘I’m about to die.’”

As Campbell fumbled to reach his bear spray, the mother bear charged.

That’s when Campbell’s dog, Night, leapt between him and the bear.

“I saw Night racing out of the corner of my eye and leaping directly in front of the bear,” he said.

“(Night) crouched in front of the bear and I kept my eyes on him, and I finally got my bear spray out – but it was Night who bought me those precious seconds.”

The bear, towering nearly seven feet on its hind legs, huffed loudly before retreating to her cubs.

Training and loyalty

For Campbell, the dramatic rescue was not entirely surprising.

He has spent years training Night in obedience, protection and tracking through the German sport of Schutzhund – a discipline often used for police dogs.

“I always wanted to turn a dog into a sort of super dog,” he said. “I knew the breed pretty well, and I ordered Night from the best breeder I could find. He wasn’t just my buddy and my friend, but a dog I could train to bring out the very best in him.”

Campbell believes that preparation made the difference.

“Most dogs will flee from a bear. My dog runs at them,” he said. “He is a very brave dog.”

Campbell describes Night as loyal, protective and, at times, playful.

“Night loves fishing,” he laughed. “He stands in the water and stares at the minnows that go between his paws. He’ll do that all day.”

His message to other dog owners is simple: “What’s the best dog? The best dog is the dog you have in front of you. That’s the best dog.”

Recognition of courage

Night was one of just two animals inducted into the 2025 Purina Animal Hall of Fame, Canada’s longest-running pet recognition program.

“It’s cool, and it’s a nice recognition for Night,” Campbell said. “I always knew I had a good dog, but it’s special to see him recognized like this.”

The program, now in its 57th year, has celebrated nearly 200 animals since 1968.

Night joins an exclusive list of 168 dogs, 27 cats and one horse.

“Pets are not just pets; they are family members,” said Maleeha Sheikh, corporate communications manager for Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada.

“They do these beautiful, courageous, heroic acts, and it’s really wonderful that we get to honour them with this program.”

Sheikh said dozens of submissions are received annually, and while selecting inductees is never easy, Night’s story stood out.

“When we came across Night, we thought, ‘Okay, this is certainly an animal that we want to highlight with an award,’ because what he did for Craig was so incredible,” she said.

Inductees receive a medallion, recognition at a ceremony in Toronto and one year’s worth of free pet food.

Nominations for the Purina Animal Hall of Fame can be accepted year-round on its website.

A rare outcome in bear country

While Night’s courage is being celebrated, wildlife experts caution that such encounters usually end very differently.

“I want to ensure the right message gets out,” said Kim Titchener, founder of Bear Safety & More and a long-time educator on human-wildlife conflict.

“It is rare that a dog off-leash chasing a bear turns into a happy ending like this one. I’m really happy and grateful for them, but generally, these interactions actually cause some pretty serious issues, such as people getting injured or even killed.”

According to Titchener, most incidents involving dogs escalate danger rather than reduce it.

“Generally, what we see is the dog runs ahead on the trail, they stumble upon a bear and the bear gets defensive,” she said.

“The dog usually comes back to the owner, and when the bear sees the person, they see them as an even bigger threat and then attack the person. That’s generally what happens. This is one in a million — a very lucky situation.”

She advises dog owners to leash their pets in bear country and to travel in groups whenever possible.

“If you are going to bring a dog with you, put it on a leash and go in a group,” Titchener said.

“Make lots of noise, be aware of your surroundings and if you see signs of bear activity including scat, tracks or a carcass, back away and leave the area.”

She also warns that bear season is lasting longer in Alberta these days.

“Bears are staying out later in the fall because of shifting berry seasons and climate change,” she said.

“Some don’t even den until December. We’ve even seen bears awake in the wintertime. So, I kind of look at bear season as extending now into later fall — and even into winter.”

New home, same bond

Since the incident, Campbell and his wife have relocated to Prince Edward Island with Night.

He says pace of life is slower, and the couple has been enjoying the quiet after years in Alberta.

Campbell admits his approach to hiking has changed since the encounter.

“I should have had the bear spray on a sling,” he said, reflecting on the near-death experience. “I’ve ordered one, so (it will sit) right on my chest.”

Still, he says the encounter has strengthened his bond with Night.

“To have an animal that literally stood between me and death, there’s no better friend than that.

“I really appreciated how his bravery was recognized, but for me, every day with him is recognition enough.”