Dogs --- I am serious

I am planning to move to Thailand this year and one thing I have a fear of is Dogs -In Santa Barbara CA they have a park near the ocean and people walk their big dogs all the time on leashes and they are mostly all well trained. There is a beach where dogs can run leash free ---- I just dont go to that beach. Dogs can sense that I am fearful.

I heard that dogs just run wild in Thailand is that true.
Are people bitten often.

I was thinking I might have to fight fire with fire and buy a big dog that is well trained not to bite its owner

Nah man, dogs here are really pacific. They are well fed by the thai people, so dont worry about you beiing the next meal. They do look disgusting and some are very ill. Just dont touch them and youll be fine.

There are not like the dogs in Bukarest, Rumania for example that run in packs and attack people.

Thailand dogs are most pacific & friendly, they will wig their tails if you give them something to eat.

Also I can say i own a cat, and even if the dogs smell me as a cat they dont even bark at me.

So youll be fine dude. :)

heloo,,
i think you must have had nightmares about dogs.
dont worry, they are friendly.
if you are really  phobic and you are the eye target for a dog get a jab of ARV,,( but its damn painful than a dog bite) and give this Thai dog a chance...:)
Rabies vaccination (pre-exposure) is only recommended if you are at real risk from being exposed.
but many of my friends were victims of Dog Bites, in every case they were cycling or running,  attracting the dogs , and the dogs tasted them for a flesh.
But dont worry ..chances are less. read below...
"The prevalence of rabies virus infection among 3,314 stray dogs [in BKK] investigated in 2004 was 0.03%"

From Kasempimolporn et al. (2008)
Table 2. Human deaths from rabies, 1997-2006(6)
Year Bangkok*/Thailand
1997 7/58
1998 4/57
1999 7/68
2000 6/50
2001 8/37
2002 0/30
2003 3/21
2004 0/19
2005 3/20
2006 2/26
* Bitten by dogs located in Bangkok

k, mate..
welcome to thailand. and dont experience any human bites
gud luck..

The worst thing about the dogs over here is that they lay in middle of the sidewalk. Never even been approached. They rely on the handouts from the people, they know that people equal free food. I have a pack behind my apartment complex and they don't even bother chasing the chickens that are right there for the taking. Hunting and survival instincts are are gone. Sleep all day eat for free at sundown.

Thanks to Kent Louis Rob for your words of encouragement and giving me the straight scoop. Really appreciated it