It's sadly true, as Steve says, that many dog owners assume you'll adore being sniffed, jumped up on and generally slobbered over by their dogs. I have a friend with a fox terrier. He's quite a dominant little beast and bites/chews any bit of you he can get his teeth into. Another friend went round there quite recently and the wretched animal got hold of one of her expensive leather boots, which she'd politely removed on entering, and bit it until it was full of holes. The dog's owner could see no reason to pay for this damage. I can normally get the better of this dog as, being a retired teacher, I know how to be firm and strict!

But, speaking of Big Beasts, my poor sister was once as a child attacked by the inevitable large Alsatian. It rose up on its hind legs and pinned her against a wall, trying to get at her throat. Naturally she's very afraid of big dogs now. But the number of times someone out walking a huge dog finds her completely unreasonable when she cringes away from its embraces! They always say, "He won't hurt you!" They get very offended when you don't like it.