Judging based on dog breed/owners ‘vibe’

[JudgeyMcJudgeFace]

I met a woman on my morning run who had a Mali. I didn’t really think anything of it at first as when it was clear the dog was (a) still very young and (b) very friendly, I had no issue letting my dog say hi. But the woman was so thankful - she said no one ever lets him greet their dog (I assume because of his breed) and usually avoids him!

It got me thinking, there are definitely some breeds I do avoid (XL Bullies) and sometimes I do swerve other breeds - not because I have anything against the dog breed itself, but because the owner is clearly one of those (those people who enjoy having a vicious dog - and you can spot them a mile away).

So, I guess what I am asking is this; do you judge dogs based on their breed or do you avoid dogs based on their owners appearance/mannerisms/vibe. Or is it a combination of both?

Outside of XL Bullies and Cane Corso, I judge based off the ‘vibe’ from the owner - typically it does tend to be particular dog breeds that the people I avoid own, which tbh seems a shame, but I guess that’s why they ‘fail’ the vibe check? I’ve never been wrong when I have chosen to avoid a dog and owner - I guess my spidey sense is well honed.

Just curious as to if I’m BU to judge people (and their dogs) based off my gut and their vibe and if others do the same.

Thank you @Ponoka7
That's my dream well and truly crushed with this first hand information which cements what I suspected.
I can only offer high garden walls for now and zero else.
You are absolutely correct, not pets material for a family setup. They are free spirits.
I met a slightly eccentric woman on a dog walk once who looked after rescued dogs, a few Salukis /Salukis mixes. She was telling me two of these dogs chased after a deer on one occasion and attacked it causing fatal wounds. And there was absolutely nothing she could do to stop the chase in the first place. They instantly turn from calm composed dogs into these flying arrows. All her dogs are now muzzled and I understand with some of her rescues she would have never let them of the lead. It must be she trusted these particular 2 dogs at the time before this awful incident.

A bit of both, and I don’t feel bad because my dog’s safety and wellbeing is much more important to me than a stranger’s feelings.

If a dog of any breed is miles away from its owner or ignoring attempts to control it, I’ll send it away from my dog.

Some breeds, much as I love them, I want to see how they behave with other dogs before I’ll let them mingle with mine, like staffies, terriers and malis. I’ve had two terriers myself, and frankly think that if owners of breeds like the above don’t recognise the need for others to be cautious, it’s a bit of a red flag anyway.

I adore Malis, without my dog I’d be mithering the owner to admire their beautiful dog. But very few people are capable of providing what they need to be well balanced and happy as pets, so I’m not likely to let one play with my dog. I tend to think anyone who knew what they were doing would acknowledge people’s valid reasons for caution.

Like most posters, a bit of both. A couple here got a cane corso puppy about a year ago. He was absolutely delightful. Now he's an aggressive, snarling mess, who pulled the female partner over, trying to get at my two gundogs. So if I see them I go elsewhere. My dogs are more to me than their feelings. Bloody thing should be muzzled.

I always say hello to English bull terriers as my friend has one and people actively avoid her when she's walking hers, or some go out of their way to tell her how ugly they find the breed. Charming.
Close neighbours have an XL, who is quiet, well trained, stunning, and a lovely animal, but he is absolutely massive and I'm very, very cautious. It is aways muzzled, never off lead. However, I don't want to get up close and personal with it, I've let them know I'm cautious, and they respect that. If I didn't know the dog and the owners and I saw them out and about, would I judge? Yes probably, but I shouldn't.