‘My dog taught itself how to skateboard. Now I can’t keep up with him’

Sydney couple Greg and Dany Denaro bought a bulldog for their “gentle and quiet lifestyle.” What they ended up with was a “tireless nut-case” who taught himself to skateboard.

Sydney couple Greg and Dany Denaro bought a bulldog for their “gentle and quiet lifestyle.” What they ended up with was a “tireless nut-case” who taught himself to skateboard.

Yes, skateboard.

Giotto the six-year-old Australian bulldog, has made quite a name for himself as the crazy dog that skates around Sydney.

It’s an obsession and talent his owners never planned for. It all started during his first walk as a puppy, six years ago, when Giotto witnessed some kids skate pass him.

Giotto’s owners Dany and Greg can no longer keep up with their skateboarding boy. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“ He was frantic and was pulling with a strength beyond his size, momentarily surprising us. We thought he didn’t like the sound of the skateboard but, instead, we discovered that his reaction was quite the opposite,” said Greg.

Giotto the skateboarding bulldog pictured in Kurnell today with owner Greg Denaro. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“One of the young boys pushed his board towards Giotto and he immediately jumped on it.

“He started biting it and tried to stand on it! It was clear that this was something that really caught his imagination. His reaction was intense. From then on, he would lunge towards anyone riding past in an attempt to steal away their skateboards,” said Greg.

For a laugh, the couple bought their dog a cheap skateboard. They never could have expected what happened next.

@giotto_skater_bulldog Giotto the skateboarding bulldog and his friends having a ball!👍🐶#SkateboardingBulldog #BulldogOnBoard #PawsOnDeck #DogsofInstagram #AnimalTalents #DogLovers #ViralVids #skateboarding #videooftheday @coldplay @marleyk1 ♬ Something Just Like This(Original Mix) - 南辰Music

“He was immediately taken by it. He jumped on it, bit it, pushed it, slept with it, ate with it by his side and would just sit on it,” said Greg.

While Giotto did not immediately ride the board, this changed three years later when his owners handmade a purpose-built board for their dog.

“His confidence went through the roof,” said Greg. It wasn’t long before the dog taught himself to “turn, flip the board over and manoeuvre around obstacles.”

Giotto the skateboarding bulldog pictured in Kurnell today with owner Greg Denaro. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Every day that we went out with him, we would come home even more amazed at his obvious improvement,” said Greg.

Since then, Giotto has become an internet celebrity, with videos of the dog skating around Sydney racking up millions of views on TikTok and Instagram.

“He loves to show off and often stops and poses when people are standing around him. We cannot keep up with him anymore!”

* Wahl’s Next Pet Model competition is Australia’s biggest search for the cutest pooch, with a prize pool worth $13,000. Simply post a photo of your dog on Instagram, follow @wahlaustralia and #wahlpetmodel24. For entry details check @wahlaustralia Instagram

Originally published as ‘My dog taught itself how to skateboard. Now I can’t keep up with him’