This classic line from the film Snatch can be translated as Do you like dogs? But what’s that got to do with martial arts, or the best martial art?
I’ll explain… You may have noticed I do like dogs.
When Frida first joined our house I gave a talk about dogs and how the 60000+ love affair between our two species is one of the things that make us human.
In researching the talk I looked for quotes about dogs. There were some funny ones and touching ones. The one below has stayed with me.
“Everyone thinks they have the best dog. And none of them are wrong.”―W.R. Purche
It stayed with me because when I would meet all the other dogs and their people in the park it felt true.
The first sentence certainly applies to martial artists. What about the second?
Take this as you will. I have a preference for larger dogs. I have a preference for dogs that are not so inbred that they cannot reproduce, run, or breathe with ease. I’ve had clashes with both big dogs and small dogs that are insecure and aggressive or poorly schooled.
But whatever the dog, I can find some affection for it and usually find something in common with its human. And the other people in the park, whether they had tiny lap-fluffers or oversized wolfers they showed genuine appreciation of Frida and all the varied hounds.
There are differences between martial arts styles/schools as there are between dog breeds. A Belgian shepherd is not a Chihuahua. Whippets and pit bulls can play together, but they don’t always like the same games.
I’ll leave you with another quote:
“Don’t accept your dog’s admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.” – Ann Landers
(Want to meet my favourite dogs? Come to Brittany to meet Frida and Rune – or go the metaphorical way and adopt your very own Gao style Baguazhang puppy for more life changing adoptions) You can decide for yourself if you have found your best martial art. In the courses, you can meet others who know how not to make people wrong.
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