Savage: someone who is rude, impolite.
Couch down: bend the legs and close to the ground.
Bristle: if an animal is frightened or angry, his fur will stand up.
Swerve: Change the direction suddenly.
Trembling: Sharking. To be very frighten.
There are lots of dogs in the countryside. If you meet a savage, he might bark you with fur bristled. Please don't be threatened even your legs are trembling. Then crouch down for few minutes, he will swerve.