I have a neighbor who is afraid of all dogs. Even my sweet Yorkie.
She told me a that when she was young she was bitten in the face by a German Shepard. I can understand and respect how she feels though, cause I was bitten by a husky/wolf mixed breed on my neck when I was 10. It was my own fault, cause I was told not to go near the dog with food when he was tied up. I was eating a apple from a near by tree when he just jumped up and bit me. I didn't think he could reach me but he found a way. That really hurt.
I've probably been bitten about 7 times by dogs...I don't fear them but I do respect their unpredictability.
snow