I share your skepticism.
And I don't think that this article was about dogs - it was about promoting a feminazi worldview.
Regards,
It's not PC to say this, but hiring a GS, or a Pit, or a Ford Explorer for their deterrent value is a side issue...If you want a Shepard as a weapon against cat calls, or an SUV as a freeway battering ram, you're in need of counseling.
My faves are Pits, Dobies, Bichons, and plain old yellow mongrels; I don't now about Bichons, but any of the others would willingly take on bad guys and/or alligators simply because they were your friend.
PS: I'm off now to walk an 11 pound min. poodle here in the big city; guess who's in protective mode.
I did not like the tone...it is as if she thinks men can go do what they want, let their guard down, etc. Men have to be just as safety conscious, but I suppose the difference is that many men feel that if something comes up, they will have a fighting chance to defend themselves effectively, even without martial arts training or a weapon.
I found this statement near the end revealing, though: "...For me, though, owning a "scary" dog has taught me that I should not only expect respect, but that I deserve it.
Nobody should ever expect respect, and to paraphrase Clint Eastwood from "Unforgiven" as he stood over the dying sheriff, "Deserves got nothing to do with it."
You never EXPECT respect from people you don't know, even if you determine to respect them. And respect is EARNED, not "deserved". To "deserve" respect is a liberal mentality.
One cannot control others, which is why you can render respect to people you don't know (until you find out it isn't merited) but you are silly and naive to EXPECT it from a stranger, sight unseen.
This is, of course, my opinion. But the author's statement seemed wrong to me.