How many threads are there on this subject?

If I took my dog out and didn't let him off lead for a run I would feel I had done him an injustice. If he didn't interact with other dogs on a walk I would also feel he'd missed out.

I'm begining to think that I'm lucky with the local places I can walk him as I don't find many problems with dogs out of control or anything like that. Most dogs seem to stick with their owners around here. And I've never witnessed a dog attack or fight.

At the park we take Milo to, almost every dog is off the lead and as people pass each other the dogs interact. It isn't unusual for 5-6 dogs from different owners to be playing together without any problems. To me this is an important thing for a dog. I don't believe that dogs can interact naturally on a lead.

At the woods Milo loves to run through the trees, he keeps himself to himself and stays away from people and other dogs most of the time. However if I see another dog on a lead I will recall him and put him on the lead just incase he does take an interest.

I know my dog and know I have control over him, however when I walk other peoples dogs they are kept on a flexi lead until I have assessed their recall and can trust them and even then they are kept on lead when other people are around. Some dogs I will always keep on a lead because they cannot be trusted to come back when called.

I don't think people should feel they have to keep certain breeds on a lead to protect them. I see many Rottweilers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers and Akitas off lead playing happily, the owners don't get abuse and the dogs are loving have a free run. If your dog is friendly and under control it doesn't matter what breed it is.