I hate when people do that. I have a Rottweiler (only 10 months old). People always ask "Is he mean" or "Will he bite". I've had a lady ask me that, then walk up to a mutt a few minutes later and just start petting the dog without even asking. I understand people being scared of my dog at first because a lot of people do make them mean. They should just find a better way to ask if he is. "Is he friendly" would be a good way. And chances are if someone has their dog at Lowes or anywhere that there are lots of people, the dog wont bite.