My sister has a ridgeback, greatest dog breed ever. She’s always so gentle with the kids even as babies yanking on her tail but as soon as anyone nears the house she goes into guard dog mode releasing ferocious sounding barks and growling.
The only dog I can play catch with that will patiently drop the ball/frisbee at my feet to be thrown again rather than trying to fight me for it. Even gentle to wrestle with without ever nipping with her teeth but has bitten and chased strangers off the property on several occasions. All without any formal training, just raised in a loving family...
Dogs are like firearms. What is perfect for one person may be an absolutely horrible choice for another.
My Chessie does the same thing when we play fetch. Puts the ball right next to my left foot. My Shepherd drops the ball in front of me - but only after the Chessie does.