That is definitely true! Although one of our dogs is funny. His sisters and brother will run to the fence and go toe-to-toe with the German Shepard next door barking and carrying-on. He does it a little differently. He'll run out there with them but then stop about 30ft behind them and bark from there. :)
OMG. That is almost the exact situation with my neighbors.
Their Papillons are neurotic obsessives (elder with a compensatory wimpy streak). My view of them is a bit smeared by this. They run with my German Shepherd at the fence but will not ever stop barking at our house (10 ft away, another of those poor development plans) - even when everyone is on the 2nd-floor opposite corner of the house and the dog is at grandma’s. Neighbors were ninnies about it and let the dogs yap. I got angry because I’m trying to nap my baby, and myself in that close room when baby would sleep. Our parties on the deck/porch were ruined alot because of their ceaseless barking.
It’s improved, but too late for the naps and our relationship. Apparently their new DIL complained about it (she has a well-adjusted little white dog) and they got a little more serious about curbing them. Also stopped just letting the dogs sit and bark at us for 1/2 to whole hour.
Ironically, now they’re a little too sensitive - I don’t mind dogs barking at each other - I can control that and understand it (my GS will obey me and come in, plus she’s not much of a barker). It was the “barking at no one” I hated most.
Sorry, it’s just a rant!
Smart little dog, in my opinion! You know, I see a lot of them in obedience (well, I did back in the day when I was competing) and also agility. They really are very smart. But you know that. :) I love their faces. Now I’ve almost talked myself into it, except we can only have 2 dogs here and I am probably getting my sons golden back so I will be full up.