A little background. Xander is our German Shepherd mix, that is totally gently and adorable with our yorkie.
Here is a picture for reference
http://xec.xanga.com/eb083644700b810.../b75374184.jpg
Okay on to the vent:
A friend had us over for BBQ this weekend, we were out all day so phoned and asked if we could bring Xander with us. They said no problem, but their dog doesn't really like male dogs, so if something happened Xander would have to go home. I have met their dog on several occasions. It's a Jack Russel and just a totally obnoxious dog. They scream at it all the time because it barks and howls whenever it's outside. The wife has told me several time she has a very hard time with the dog and their child. The dog apparently growls at the child all the time and has snipped at it once or twice. And the dog gets put in time out at day care all the time.
Well we figured its not a huge deal, Xander is a big baby, he's around out neighbors kids all the time and has never had a problem with any other dog. An actually at daycare he stays right next to the person who's in playing with the dogs.
Well we were outside for a while and their dog was pretty nasty, but it didn't faze Xander, he just was his happy go lucky self. The husband kept screaming at their dog and Xander even ran back to us with his tail in between his legs. Their son (almost 2) was pulling on Xanders tail and giving him hugs, no problem there. Well the mom came out with a tray full of meat to throw on the grill and Xander walked up, she put her hand down for him to smell and he kind of nipped at it and barked at her. I was shocked and apologized, he has never done that before ever. Well a few minutes later the Wife came over and said "No hard feelings, but can you bring Xander home. We know he didn't mean to bite me, but we don't want such an aggresive dog around our son. You will understand someday when you have kids."
I was so mad, I almost cried. I don't want Xander to be labeled as an aggressive dog in our circle of friends. Chris pointed out that maybe Xander did that because her hand smelled like meat or food.
But still.....I'm livid. I hate when people say "you'll understand when...." Yeah I understand that if I had a dog like yours I wouldn't let it around my kids, but I also understand dogs can be dogs.