Padfoot's Breed

[annoni-no.livejournal.com]

Rowling never specified what breed of dog Sirius' Animagus form was, and 'a bear-like black dog' doesn't do much to narrow the field of possibilities. However, if we assume that the transformation closely reflects the wizard's personality, and perhaps reinforces it, I think I might have identified our mystery breed.

Meet the Russian Newfoundland, also called the Moscow Water Dog:

http://www.easypetmd.com/doginfo/moscow-water-dog

The result of a breeding experiment crossing Newfoundlands, East European Shepherds, and Caucasian Shepherds to create an all-purpose work and rescue dog by the Soviet Army during the 1950's, the Russian Newfoundland is now extinct.

What was this breed like while extant?

"This new breed proved to be an excellent swimmer, as well as a vigilant, trainable and intelligent shoreline sentry dog, and well able to withstand arctic temperatures and freezing water."

Strong swimming skills and high tolerance of freezing water - escaped from Azkaban by swimming the North Sea.

Intelligent - his teachers acknowledged him as bright, however much trouble he caused. The Marauders' Map is nothing to laugh at either.

Vigilant – before he was addled by Dementors he was certainly more attentive than James during their assault on Snape.

Trainable – this is the crux, isn't it? We don't know much about the dynamics between Sirius and James, but Peter was able to play him like a harp, and even Remus could control him when he bothered to exert himself. So, it seems that he was eminently manageable by those who knew him well and who he considered 'pack.'

And the Moscow Water Dog was infamous for being very selective about who they would acknowledge as pack, and how hostile they were toward strangers.

How hostile?

"...when set loose to rescue a panicked and drowning sailor, it was the breed's nature to swim straight to them and attack them in the water. A terrifying experience for the victim, who if they did not drown fighting off the dog would then likely try and drown the dog in order to defend themselves from the onslaught of gnashing teeth."

I'm sure those Muggle policemen in the prequel could sympathize deeply. As could Snape, and Kreacher, and....

In summation:

"As it would turn out, the Russian Water Dog was too much working dog and not enough rescue dog, the breed was aggressive and took very poorly to strangers, regardless of whether they were drowning or on land."

Yes, I believe that fits Sirius rather well.

Comments

[hwyla.livejournal.com]

To be 'fair' to Minerva - she doesn't know about the existence of the prophecy or that Albus believes it. She also only sees just what the students see. She is unaware that Albus places stock in Sybil's talent.

A bit off topic, but notice that Snape is not anywhere near as derisive to Sybil at Horace's Christmas Party as Minerva is at the Christmas Dinner you cited. A dinner that Sybil has come down especially to have with her co-workers (and a few students) on Christmas Day, when she rarely appears out of her tower. Note that we don't ever hear of Sybil coming to join a holiday meal again. What a lonely life! Want to bet she asked Horace whether Minerva was coming or not before she decided to attend his party?

And 'mean and nasty' Snape never says anything to Sybil that implies he thinks her a fool. Not even when she apparently has a bit too much sherry. Compare that to when he leads the 'attack' on Gilderoy among his fellow professors. So, it isn't as if he'll keep his snide comments to himself if he thinks them warranted.

[annoni-no.livejournal.com]

Minerva might not know about the prophecy, but under normal circumstances there is still an expectation of basic politeness among colleagues. Dumbledore would have been fulfilling his duties as headmaster for once if he insisted that Minerva offer Sybill that minimal courtesy. He could frame it as a matter of professionalism if, for some unknown reason, he felt there was a genuine need to keep her true gifts a secret.

He didn't.

If he ever said anything I'll bet it was in line with his occasional admonishments to Harry to refer to his potions master as "Professor Snape," but which injunction he never reinforces with point losses when Harry inevitably ignores it.

I wonder how often Minerva, and the other teachers, saw Sybill and Severus interact, and how they interpreted the relationship between the two of them.