Why so nasty?

[Greydog]

Just come back from a walk with the hound. We went onto the common near us, a place I normally avoid, and a few minutes later a man, pushing a baby in a buggy, and an off lead lab came on. Houndie is on the lead, and she is scared of other dogs, so when this thing came bounding up, I asked if he could call it back, and he told me "his dog was fine" I said mine was a rescue, and was nervous,so could he call his back, and he went off on one - "you should train your dog better, I'm on the common, my dogs fine" etc. I replied that I only asked him to call his dog, as mine doesn't like them sniffing round her - "Sneaking round, sneaking round - what are you talking about - train your bloody dog" he shouted - "It's a common" - so I pointed out that I had said sniffing, and that the law requires dogs to be under control at all times, and was it necessary for him to be unkind, when I had only asked him to call his dog back to him? he carried on muttering about my poorly trained dog (on the lead all the time, and minding her own business) We waited for him to go on his merry way, and went home. I feel a bit shaky now, and I really don't know why people have to be so horrid. I only went that way to avoid having to walk along the rain sodden round. Next time I'll take my chances with the cars

[Wyldfyre]

Mum the only reason I mentioned the dogs breed is it's relevant to the fact it was on an extending lead.
A small dog would not be able to pull it out of the reel, whereas due to the sheer power in an Akita it's completely inappropriate to have it on an extending lead.

And for the record, my three are labs but (with exception of the boy) very well trained.

I believe the reason you do come across badly behaved ones so often is down to the fact that they are the most popular breed in the UK. In addition they are very much seen as "easy" dogs and people get them and wonder why they aren't fully trained at 16 weeks with no input from the owners.

[Thattimeofyearagain]

My lab loves pointy hounds, but I have the common sense to call him back if his attentions are unwanted.