I love dogs. However, I believe large gods should be kept leashed. I can totally understand people who get scared seeing a big dog out of leash and out of the owner’s control. Imagine a running toddler or worse a toddler hugging the dog… or kicking the dog (for whatever reason). Who knows what the dog’s reaction would be… What if it bites? You probably would say “sorry… the dog is so sweet… it was just that the kid misbehaved”. I do not think you can expect people to be supportive. If the dog is under control and always leashed, I do not see any problem and I guess after some time the neighbors would accept it.