One must be reminded what each breed was used for. Poodles (standards) were orginally used for cold water retrieveing. but in mid evil times they were used for guardian dogs in the castles, also were used in battle during war time. they were used in the 1500"s in the battle of the roundhead with Prince ruppert and Charles the 1st. also used in ww1 and ww2. The beginning line of the doberman and boxer breeds was a standard poodle. Bad temperments can be bred into the lines. this comes with the puppy millers and backyard breeders who are only in it for the money. A dog of any breed that displays aggressive behavior should never be bred. AS a rule a standard poodle is very dog friendly, and agility bound. If I encountered this situation I would have to ask the owners to get control or leave. Sounds like one the dogs were not trained or socialized very well. I run my standard in tack male with other in tack males and never had a problem. My standards are very people and dog friendly, but will say very protecting. My Male did go after a person as he was trying to break in the car with me in it. Standard poodles today are used as theraphy dogs, search and rescue dogs, hunting dogs, guide dogs, drug dogs, as they are a working breed and some people even use them for carting. Today they still remain as the most intellegent dog. with this I will say that the standard poodle was not my 1st choice of dog. I am a rottie person and have owned, trained and shown 7 rotties. when my last rottie died I decided to go a little smaller and a lot more hair. But having owned my two standards and a several mini's I can truthfully say that I will always have a standard, but not in show coat. I have retired my riley and he is getting shaved down. we are going to the modified continial show clip a lot shorter. and we are starting obe. showing.