I should state up front that I have always been a bit wary of dogs and am more of a cat person.

I think AMFM has hit the nail on the head. Its not about breeds its more about the size of the dog and the owners ability to manage it.

Yesterday, walking come from Honor Oak along Devonshire Road, I noticed ahead of me chap with 2 dogs, the ancestors of which could possibly have been seen lurking near Baskerville Hall. These were on chains that could have safely raised the Titanic. Anyway at one point of them slipped its chain and sped off at a tremondous lick, acompanied by calls from the owner to come back. Now they may have been 2 of the friendliest dogs on the planet with an owner who has well trained them, but I can only report as I felt which was a little uneasy.

As it happened they went into a house a hundred yards or so ahead. When I passed the property you could tell from the bins outside that it consisted of 2 flats. Keeping large dogs in a 1 or 2 bedroom flat in itself cannot be good for the dog.