OK about a year and a half ago on my birthday my mother-in-law was having a dinner party. I showed up with my Sophie. One of her Asian male friends said "oh look at the pup" he then proceeded to pick her up by the loose skin at the nape of her neck. She cried out in pain and I swear I almost jumped the guy. I freaked out snatched my dog, I was so pissed I started to shake and asked what the hell was wrong with him. He said in China that's how they pick their dogs up. I told my MIL he was never allowed to touch my dog again.
Since then she will not get near a strange man. She'll back up and bark and won't let them near her. She has no problem with male children just male adults except my immediate male family members she's fine with them. If a strange woman comes up to her to pet her she melts like butter. Was my dog traumatized because of this one incident? It just amazes me how she can tell the difference between a male and female adult even by being a couple of feet away is it their smell or their voice? I'm not too sure.