mine will go straight past any dog, and what i tend to find is if they meet a dog head on on a path, they have enough manners to lay down and let the other dog approach them.

Akitagirl, i tend to find if they live or are walking with a pack of dogs they don't bother with others

I think you have to know how your own dog will react. Honestly, I mean. Not the `he`s only playing` sort of delusion that some owners suffer from.
On the other hand - if you think your dog will attack (unprovoked) another dog or person - should it be off lead? Certainly it should be muzzled.

Very true.

Oo that means i need more dogs, 2 is not enough then, yipeee!

Axel is non reactive and he's off lead a fair amount...he's never allowed out of sight, but he wouldn't choose to be out of sight anyway.
Sorry to hear about your incident, some people are clueless :S

I have 2 non-reactive and a reactive. Jessie I trust explicitly as she is not interested in other dogs or people and if she is ahead and spots either she'll come straight back to me. She isnt interested in cats or livestock so I know she isnt going to get herself into trouble.
Jed isnt reactive but will chase things and approach other dogs so I like to know where he is in particular.

Flynn is reactive but will not approach people or dogs unless I interact with them. I do allow him out of sight and let him go round corners as, tbh, it's quite useful as he warns me of approaching people or dogs. He's often spotted somebody lurking about and barked, letting me know of their presence when otherwise I would've been oblivious. Ok, so far they've been birdwatchers or photographers but one day his reaction could save my life.