To tell neighbor to cross the road

[MrsHoodwink]

Long story short my dog was in the gated/fenced front yard with me while my daughter was dropped off by her dad

Neighbor from down the road walked past with their small dog who started barking (snout through my gate) at my dog

I have a German Shepherd and it barked back... I think it perceived the other dog to be a threat to my child so retaliated. All bark no bite mind as many GS owners will know

My neighbor snapped, told me “get hold of that effin dog” and then said “I don’t like those, they’re vicious” and was raging at me

AIBU to say when I next see them if you don’t want to deal with it, walk on the other side of the road (To be honest 90% of the time we’re never in the front yard anyway)

Also my dog wouldn’t have batted an eyelid if their’s hadn’t done anything, apparently because mines louder and “looks” scary we’re a danger

Unfortunately though there are a lot of small dog owners who don't train their dogs,unknowingly make them more aggressive by picking them up when other dogs are around/carry them and then come out with the line aren't they cute when barking/nipping etc. As a large dog owner you automatically get the blame.
I agree.
There are many people with small dogs who do keep their dogs on a lead, do apologise if it starts yapping at others or jumping (and does something about it), do train them etc.
But some seem to indulge their cutesey wootsie little thing and end up promoting yappy confrontational behaviour by praising it, stroking it, positively reinforcing their dogs getting up in otjer people's and other dogs' faces. They're all awww isn't process buttons such a cutie / they're just playful aren't you? Yes you are and now I'm going yo talk to you in a baby voice and make lots of fuss over you since you've started an unprovoked attack on another dog
I'm hoping to get a medium sized dog soon as soon as DH agrees but dealing with pampered yappy things is what bothers me.

Oh I hate most little dog owners mostly untrained. Had one bite me and the owner got his arse out at me when I told him to get his dog out my front garden and that it had bitten me. Told him I would come let my gs come bite him then if he thought it was acceptable apparently it’s not from a big dog but is from his rat bag. He doesn’t walk by my house anymore