Reichshund

[11] Bismarck's dogs were buried at his estate in Varzin, in Pomerania (now Warcino, Poland); the gravestones were rediscovered by students at the forestry institute that now occupies the manor.

Some historians have regarded Bismarck's choice of the largest available breed and his habit of having a dog with him, which would disconcert foreign diplomats, as calculated demonstrations of power.

"[15] On the other hand Tyras was said by one contemporary to have "never been guilty of any such ill-mannered act before" his celebrated misbehaviour,[2] and the English periodical The Spectator described him at the time as "a very quiet creature, with a most pacific reputation.

"[16] Bismarck's dogs came to the public's attention and began to be called 'Reichshund' after Tyras attacked the Russian chancellor, Alexander Gorchakov, at the Congress of Berlin in 1878.

[4] In some accounts, he knocked him to the ground,[2][17] according to Massie after he raised his arm to make a point,[15] but according to The Spectator after he had stumbled and Bismarck had rushed to aid him.