Putin to Bush: My dog bigger than yours

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (L) and U.S. President George W. Bush walk out to speak to the media after their summit meeting outside the Bush family home on Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, Maine July 2, 2007.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russian leader Vladimir Putin once boasted to then-President George W. Bush about the size of his dog, in the ultimate of "mine-is-bigger-than-yours" stories.

Former President Bush writes about the episode in his memoir, "Decision Points," which hits book stores next Tuesday. Bush says he had introduced then-Russian President Putin to his Scottish terrier, Barney, on a visit to the U.S. presidential retreat, Camp David.

Putin returned the favor when Bush visited Russia and Putin was giving him a tour of the grounds of his dacha.

"A big black Labrador came charging across the lawn. With a twinkle in his eye, Vladimir said, 'Bigger, stronger, faster than Barney,'" Bush writes. A copy of the book was obtained by Reuters

Bush says he later told the story to the Canadian prime minister, Stephen Harper, who replied: "You're lucky he only showed you his dog."

Bush, when he began his presidency in 2001, famously looked into Putin's eyes and said he saw his soul. "In the years ahead, Putin would give me reasons to revise my opinion," he writes.

Bush says the low point in his relationship with Putin came in August 2008 when Russia invaded neighboring Georgia. Bush complained to Putin directly at the Olympic opening ceremonies and noted to him that Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is "hot-blooded."

"I'm hot-blooded too," Putin retorted, according to Bush.

"No, Vladimir, you're cold-blooded," Bush said he replied.

(Reporting by Steve Holland, Editing by Sandra Maler)