Putin and Merkle

Putin and Bush

Merkle has a 'deep-seated fear of dogs'

Putin to Bush, my DOG is bigger tougher stronger faster meaner


A popular anecdote was when the Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, met President Vladimir Putin, Putin brought Konni to their meetings. On 21 January 2007, the two leaders met at Bocharov Ruchei, the President's summer residence in Sochi, and at the beginning of their meeting Konni wandered into the room, leading Putin to ask Merkel, who reportedly has a "deep-seated fear of dogs", "The dog does not bother you, does she? She's a friendly dog and I'm sure she will behave herself."[25] Merkel responded in Russian, a language in which she is fluent, "She doesn't eat journalists, after all."[26] Konni then proceeded to sniff the German Chancellor, and sat at her feet. Merkel was reported to have shown "apparent discomfort".[27] Putin later said that, after learning of Merkel's fear of dogs, he apologized to her.[28]

When US President George W. Bush visited Putin's residence at Novo-Ogaryovo, Konni was there to greet both leaders. Putin was reported to have remarked to the visiting President that Konni is "bigger, tougher, stronger, faster, meaner – than Barney," which aides to Bush said was "a mark of a friendship strengthened by a little needling."[29] Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper later "drolly noted [to Bush], 'You're lucky he only showed you his dog.'"[30]