Rosie is a shepherd mix, adopted when I lived in northern Saskatchewan.  She's a protector and not fond of strange dogs.  She's ok if they mind their own business.  If they come charging and acting aggressively towards her, she will not hesitate to take them on.

Unfortunately in my neighborhood, there are quite a few small dogs with big dog syndrome.  They bark and lunge at us every chance they get.  Rosie listens well and will ignore them when I tell her too.  

Last night as we came home from walk, the neighbor's small dog got loose and ran towards her in our own yard by our door.  He tried to bite Rosie's leg.  I guess she had enough of him.  What made it worse was that dog was on her property.  She attacked back.  It was quite scary as I pulled her and Pepper away while the small one kept coming at her.  

Rosie managed to bite the little one and gave him a shake before I got her off and away. The owner finally came and grabbed her dog.  It all happened so fast but yet it seemed like eternity.  I felt bad that Rosie got him.  In the meantime, I was a bit angry too.  I kicked my dog to protect yours when I shouldn't have to.  It's yours that was off leash and came attacking her.  

I keep my dogs on leash at all time when we go for walks.  I keep Rosie in check when little dogs act viciously towards her.  I tell everyone I meet that she's not good with dogs especially when they act up.  I really hate that she's labeled aggressive when it's the little dogs who initiate a fight.

The neighbor was apologetic and I hope her dog was not hurt.  I understand it was an accident that their gate was left open.  But again control your off leash dogs so that this won't happen again. 

On a side note, Pepper was not fazed by all the commotion.  He tried to sniff the little one and was calm the whole time.  He's such a gentleman.