All bark and no bite

     "Talking of being eaten by dogs, there's a dachshund at Brinkley who when you first meet him will give you the impression that he plans to convert you into a light snack between his regular meals. Pay no attention. It's all eyewash. His belligerent attitude is simply . . ."
     "Sound and fury signifying nothing, sir?"
     "That's it. Pure swank. A few civil words, and he will be grappling you . . . what's that expression I've heard you use?"
     "Grappling me to his soul with hoops of steel, sir?"
     "In the first two minutes. He wouldn't hurt a fly, but he has to put up a front because his name's Poppet. One can readily appreciate that when a dog hears himself addressed day in and day out as Poppet, he feels he must throw his weight about. His self-respect demands it."

(from How Right You Are, Jeeves, by Sir Pelham Wodehouse)