Let the stereotypes begin.

 I think I need to see some pictures before I could answer if he's a vicious dog or not

Erica, LOL. I think I'll do just that, I need to update his pics!

I don't know why I take it so personally... I guess it's just I am putting many hours a day into good socilization and he loves kids (surpisingly, he doesn't try to play rough with kids, the elderly, or the mentally disabled. He seems to know!) I guess some people are just ignorant.

I have a bulldog/pit mix and a little boy at petsmart came up and said "awwww...what a cute puppy" and came towards my Stewie...and the mother pulled him back and said "That's not a puppy!!! That's a pitbull!!!"  And grabbed her son and pulled him away.  It kind of made me feel bad, poor Stewie is so sweet and wanted so badly to meet the little boy...and I felt like someone told me my baby was ugly! 

It's so sad that things like that happen. I feel your pain!

I get it w/ all 3 of mine! The Cockers honestly get it the worst. People always have a story about being bitten or attacked by a Cocker as a child and they're always obliged to give me their (ignorant) opinion of *MY* dogs. I'm at the point lately that I don't even care and I'm very snarky towards those people- even if their kids are with them. I just don't care.

BUT- when you do meet those people who love your breed it's so refreshing! I could literally talk to those strangers forever, lol.

Think of it this way....you're getting practice early!  LOL!

The city was doing some road work in front of my woods this week.  That meant tons of trucks and equipment and PEOPLE.  The first day they had a flagger right in front of my front fence.  Thunder was sitting there, watching the man and wagging his tail.  Not a thing unfriendly looking about him...just watching and smiling. The guy looks at me and asks "is he mean".  I so felt like saying, well yeah buddy,he's a real killer.  That's why I let him sit in the front yard with all this stuff going on!

" I so felt like saying, well yeah buddy,he's a real killer. " LMBO!!

Erica, I posted pictures of T-Bone in the photos forum. I took them just a few mins ago =)

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I expected to hear similar stories from large breed/"power" breed owners, but COCKERS?! Jeez, everyone's a critic.

I've heard so many comments over the years.  It used to bother me but now I don't let it. 

Beejou

A kid wanted to pet him and the mother said "that doesn't look like a nice dog" and wouldn't let him come over.

And me being the shy, timid type (*choke*) I would have said "Hey, I'm glad you noticed him -- he's a PUPPY and I'm really glad to have the opportunity to socialize him a bit more.  He's just a baby so if Mom says it's ok, I'd love to show you how to pet a dog safely with the **Owner's permission**.  Ok Mom???  Now 'we're training here, so first T-bone has to SIT for you, and then nope ... don't pet him on the head -- you don't like getting thumped on the head do you?? noooooooooooooooo ... but put the flat of your hand here on his neck under his chin and just rub and he'll like that."

Then you get to work on Mom  and say "I'm glad you don't just let him converge on any dog, but thank you sincerely for the couple of minutes to help me train my dog to be a GOOD ambassador for his breed.  He's really a sweet guy but I insist that he be well-mannered.  I'm in the police acadamy and it's important to me that he's well-taught AND that at least this child knows how to and NOT to approach a dog."

Callie, that would have schooled her and been educational for the kid! Next time I hear a comment like that, I'll be more assertive. I was just taken back that someone would be leery of a PUP!

I get tons of comments, both good & bad, about my dogs.

I get the "killer doberman whose brain will eventually outgrow his skull, causing him to turn on me" comments about Bevo.

I get the "stupid boxer" comments about Chyna & Brutus.

I get the "biting, hateful, yappy dachshund" comments about Shooter & Schatzi.

I also get the "OMG is she a whateveradoodle?" or "How dare you buy a doodle." comments about Angel.

Only Brinxx is sure to get a kind comment all of the time.  She looks sweet, & that's what everyone tells me about her.

Some comments still annoy me.  Others are so stupid that I can't help but laugh in the idiot's face.  I usually attempt to educate people about my breeds, but there are some days that I just keep walking because it's not worth the effort.

Amanda, I have to ask.... people actually have the NERVE to come up to you and tell you that your Dobe is going to TURN ON YOU? Like some sort of hellish PSA?

Where do people come off with this stuff? I was taught, if you can't say anything nice...

 Cute big eared dog with a long fluffy coat?  Must be a girl and must be friendly *pounce*  Sometimes I wouldn't mind if people had a bit more fear aversion to Kirby.  I've had people try to pick him up or think it is okay to smoosh their face right into his while towering over him and cooing.

 *sigh* I am the same way with Casey. People think he's 'adorable' (well - duh - just look at my boy!) BUT - he's got many issues, which many we have worked through. BUT - he still needs to KNOW you before you pet him. Yea he's cute, but don't touch him. PLEASE!

I saw the pictures, he's a HAM!!!

My older daughter has 2 German Shepherd pups (6 months old) that are sisters, and a white Boxer.  Oh yeah, we hear the comments about them!  

 And I have the 4 Standard Poodles - they're labled as silly, useless, froo-froos - and everyone thinks they're automatically friendly (which they are) just because they're the 'big poodles'.