Just wanted to say also...It's not only big breeds that people feel might be dangerous that can gain negative attention, when I was a teenager growing up my mum chose a a little yorkie for us and kids who were trying to be hard would call her a rat and be mean...All that did was upset me cuz I loved her but it never changed that I was proud of her and always loved her. An adult at the time wouldn't even pet her because he was a 'big man'...couldn't be seen being nice to such a little dog!...Used to growl at her and intimidate her and really p*ss me off. So little dogs get flack too, just in a different way and either way it is irritating.

I am lucky to have a dog who looks as soft as he is and a breed that most people down here have never even heard off, but I certainly wouldnt be put off a breed because of public opinion! I love rottys and would love to have one one day and am just really hoping all this dda nonsence isnt going to mean I never get the chance!
I love people coming up and commenting on how friendly loki is, and I think I would be upset if people avoided me because of my choice of breed, but I put alot of work into socialising Loki and training him and would into any other dogs I owned so as trouble says I would hope to educate people on my how friendly they could be given the chance!

Thats very true, My fathers Jack russel is called 'rat dog' by everyone in their village and some people even avoid her (yes ok she has bitten another dogs once) but i feel it is very unneccesary. Even his 'mates' now at the pub will say hurtful things like 'get that rat off me.'

I wouldn't but I wouldn't buy a dog even if it were the breed of my choice if it had to have a restricted lifestyle - ie muzzling, on lead only etc ...

This is a very good point. Isn't it also true that the rottweilers and staffys of this world seem to be more likely to be bought by those who only want a dog as a fashion statement? It must make it very difficult for the responsible owners of these breeds to overcome prejudices.

I dont really care what other people think so no I would not change my breed
So many people have no idea about dogs and judge them by how they look ,I have had children coming over to see the dogs before and they said about Kira "dont go near that one it bites" they said that just because she is a large dog ,actually Benji the smaller Xbreed is the one who will somtimes growl at strangers when he is at home ,Kira has never shown any aggression to anyone even when she hurt her back and the vet was causing her pain poking and proding her

Most defintely not! I always do what I want, I don't conform, as long as it's legal, I do it! Have always had gsd's and always will, or any other large breed coz that's my preference.

I wouldn't change my breed because of public opinion but agree with Muddiwarx that I wouldn't want to own any dog that had to constantly be muzzled and on lead when in public

When I was a new(ish) dog owner I did wish people weren't so quick to judge GSDs and I used to think that occasionally it would have been nice to have a dog that people weren't scared of However, the older and wiser I got, I decided that people can really think what they want. I own a well bred, well behaved/trained, socialised German Shepherd whom I adore and I wouldn't swap her for the world ... no matter what ANYONE thought!

hahaha! why would I get a dog to suit other people? It's my not theirs!

I had my dobes for over 30 years, and if I was still active enough I'd have another , although I adored my welsh springer and so did everyone he met, There was a definate difference in the way both dogs and I were treated, with the dobes people stayed back until they were sure the dogs were OK, with the springer they were straight in for a pet. Kath