this is my hard time with chained dogs... I used to have to. I know it sounds bad but think this side... It was for 8 hours a day the rest of the time they either ran the yard or were indoors. Only when I left the house were they chained and I did it for their protection since they would chew up our privacy fence get out and run amuck in the busy streets where we lived. So with much angst began chaining them 4 days a week while I was at work. True I don't think it smart to try to mess with a dog that is chained but there was also a 6 ft privacy fence that surrounded them... if anyone was in the yard where they would be able to bite them they probably deserved it. (of course barring repairmen in which they were not near the electric or phone box)
I have a german shepard husky mix... He is a very affectionate loving 3 year old dog. I got him from the local pound although we did have some teeth baring when we put our foot down and he realized we were the alpha (as you need to with huskies) He does not do that anymore. this dog can pick up a bird or small kitten and carry it without hurting it. I am quite suprised to see his breeds on the list of dangerous dogs but I know that with love almost any dog can be well natured. He really does not like strangers which I guess is the shepard part since hubby is in Iraq that is good for me :)