I have to agree with you...I've met some messed up dogs, both big and small. The problem with things I think is that when a big dog attacks, people remember because usually the injuries are bigger. Bigger dog, bigger bite, right? I've seen some pretty small critters do massive damage though (been the victim of krazed kat klaws lately?) but those casses are the minority. When a pomeranian or a similar sized dog goes crazy, usually (sadly) a good swift kick is all that is needed to subdue it. Not so much the case for a bigger dog. So you've got the "Big Biter" syndrome on top of feeling more defenseless because the dog is big, talk about a recipie for mob hysteria.

It stinks people have to judge a book by its cover but they do.

I think Every animal has its own unique personailty, including merits and flaws just like us hoomans. Living with four cats, I can definaitely see each one differently, and treat them as individuals. I think part of the problem people have with companion animals is they tend to generalize too much. Treating all cats and/or all dogs as "just pets" I think is detrimental to a companion animal, just because the animal isn't getting the type of attention it needs. I'll admit this may lead to overindulgence but isn't that a failing humans have with each other as well? An enabler is an enabler, be it enabling bad behavior in a person or in a pet.

Maybe I'm nuts...