I know many people who are nervous around dogs! They are just one reason why I want my two dogs to be responsible canine citizens. They're not "large dogs", but they are certainly big enough to frighten people and more than big enough to hurt people accidentally (they're both under 40 lbs, but 40 lbs of muscly dog is a lot of strength and teeth, you know?).

It's a lot like with kids and manners, I agree. I don't think everyone is a dog person or a kid person, or that they SHOULD be; I do want them to not feel hassled by MY dogs and MY children, as much as that is possible.