Is this behaviour "agression" or rough play?

[djm68]

Hello,

Hoping some other on the forum can chime on some behaviour that Ajax, my 11 month old GSD exhibits. Ajax is a very calm dog, good with all people, including kids; he is also good with almost all dogs, though certain dogs seems to trigger an unpleasant behaviour. Occasionally we will encounter a dog, usually young and submissive, that Ajax rolls on its back, and then "bites", but this is clearly not biting to hurts or injure. No blood has ever been drawn, no growling or snarling. This looks to me like rough play and/or some dominance behaviour. Several knowledgeable dogs owners have commented this is just the way some dogs play, and were not phased but this; other dogs owners, not so understanding.

We have another dog (Mini Schnauzer) and they get along great; in-fact, Ajax comes to my office and is fine with several small dogs. Our two cats at home are mostly ignored. So, I think this is not an uncontrolled prey drive or aggression. Ajax is currently intact since he is only 11 months, though I am planning to have him snipped in the near-ish future.

Any thoughts or feedback?

Thanks,
DJM