my dogs have treed bears before, black bears are usually big pussy's and will run from almost any dog, but there are the exceptions, at the vets office a guy came in with a golden all torn up by a bear, but she cornered it against the house. i can't really avoid bears, i don't have the money to get a fence to take in all of my property, and i don't really want a fence, my dogs will stop if i tell them too, but they keep things away from me when i'm hiking and stuff.There are dogs who are bred to chase bears away GRIZZLY bears, maybe it makes me irresponsible that i'm not getting a fence? i don't know i don't have the money for that stuff.