In answer to the OP question: Yes, there are some dogs who do not like being petted. Those dogs should be allowed that, provided they are stable otherwise... If need be, explain it as a compromise:
"You be appropriate and not aggressive at all, and I won't smother you with attention and petting." Now, obviously that is humanizing - I'm just giving a way to explain it to your S.O.
If the dog doesn't enjoy being petted, then it should not have to endure being petted. Sometimes we need to be reminded that our MOOD alone can be a reward to the dog... If you were to tell yourself out loud "I did really well teaching that!" and mean it, the dog will benefit from your mood. For a dog that doesn't like being petted, a word spoken kindly will sometimes will have the same effect, and the human involved will not feel so "badly" that they aren't lavishing attention as a reward. If you really think about it, the petting is supposed to be a reward for the DOG, not the PERSON. If being petted upsets the dog and unnerves them, it's not much of a reward for them at all!
As for the other people wanting to pet, I aggree with Connie... the less said the better. I use a firm "The dog is working right now but thank you." and firmly end the conversation. Walking away sometimes, if needed. (Walking away also helps to prevent you from hearing the nasty whispers if they are that kind of person as well )

I had a big male gsd years ago and he wasn't much for petting either.....even from a pretty young age he would remove himself from reach. I never gave it much thought........when he wanted some attention he would come up to me (I had to be sitting down for this) and shove his whole head in between my arm and my body......hard to describe, its like he was hiding out in my armpit for a few minutes. Then he'd push his big nose almost sideways on my knee and snort........But even this was kinda rare. My sister told me once after she'd known him for years and only saw him do this one time....she thought he NEVER solicited attention. It surprised her so much to see him do it. He was just a very serious guy and had his hands full getting me trained!
Actually this was the dog that changed my life......had to throw out all my Koehler books and start to really research training and behavior.........I still miss him!

My big male follows me everywhere and has no dominence. His one request is please do not touch. He wants to be with me but not fawned over. It was very hard for me because it is always how I showed affection.

My pup has never growled but will get up and move if someone pets him. I myself, hardly ever pet him. He does everything I want so it seems like a way to show him I care by honoring his wishes.

Thanks to everyone for sharing.
If you don't pet him, he really is a great boy! We've been pushing the petting (including while eatting) his whole life, and I've seen the damage it's done to our bonding. Now I've backed way off (and in fact was never the one to initiate much of the petting, that was my "untrainable" s.o., lol!) and he seems so much calmer, more trusting, and happier. He actually seems to enjoy the petting now much more than he did before, when it was "forced" upon him. My s.o. even made the comment "why is he being so affectionate and happy lately?" This after he had said to me "I don't notice any difference in him, so why shouldn't I pet him when I want to?"

All I can say is, thank God for this website. The advice and confidence I've gained here is invaluable.

I got a dumb question, but how/where do you pet him ?

Could unknowingly be petting a dominant dog, who considers you a subordinate, in an assertive way ?