Walking with a stick or similiar will target you as an "enemy" in the eyes of any dog that has suffered strokes in the past. Attacks are much more likely to happen if you carry a stick IMHO. Many incidents happen as people cross into territoire "claimed" by a single or a pack of dogs. The boundaries are not always visible to human eyes (unless fenced). And dont forget: direct eye contact/staring may be seen as an threat by a dog.

Small electro shockers are the best to keep any dog away from you (mostly illegal to bring home). Dogs hate the sound of it and will mostly stop advancing on you. If they charge you a single load will make them run away.