Pretty much, as stated elsewhere, the STR line is fairly useless unless you run all the way down and get the last ability. Even then, you need to keep the dog positioned behind enemies or ripostes will kill him fast. When I solo I typically turn the back to him and I have no issues. The end STR line ability protects him from all but ripostes, basically. In a group situation I never had too many issues when I had the AA line, but I also had tanks that valued the procs of the dog and turned the target's back to him to prevent the ripostes.
That being said I spec'ed out of the line completely quite a while back and am now AGI 4,4,4,8; STA 4,4,6,8,1; WIS 4,4,4,8. I dropped any leftover points randomly around, I think into melee crits for giggles because I like seeing the big numbers pop up when I wade in to poke stuff.