Some people can't help it. My mom is deathly afraid of big dogs. SHe was attacked by a chow as a kid, and has never gotten over it. She is TERRIFIED! When she got a new neighbor who had a huge Rottie, she FREAKED OUT. She was literally TERRIFIED. He brought the dog to her door one day to get to know her better, and she slammed the door in his face, lol. She can't get used to them, she is terrified and wants nothing to do with them. It doesn't help that she is not an animal person at all anyway.

I think people have a right to NOT like dogs, big dogs, whatever. They don't have a responsibility to get to know your dog. I'm sorry, but as a dog owner YOU have a responsibility to keep your dog in your fenced yard or on a leash, under your control at all times. I would not want to be terrorized with something I fear in my own yard, and they have the same right. (For me, it is snakes. lol).

I am not afraid of dogs at all. I'll confront any stray dog with a gentle hand and baby talk, and I've never had one even begin to attack. I also have 2 big dogs. Some people like them and others don't, and that's ok. Nothing to be offended about.