I've owned over a half-dozen canines so far; Labs, Boston Terriers, Daschunds, Blue Heelers, Pointers, Beagles and one Pit Bull named Churchill.
The Pit was the most even-tempered dog I've owned outside of 2 Labs. It wasn't the smartest dog I've owned (that was the Blue Heeler and he was absolutely frightening in terms of smarts), but it was an excellent pet that never met a stranger and was extremely friendly. Along with the Labs, it was the only dog that never snapped or bit at me or anyone else even once.
The two Daschunds that I currently have are the dogs I have to watch around people (kids especially); some folks they are fine with while others they would maul if they could jump high enough and weighed enough. It's been the most protection-oriented breed I've owned in that anyone gets near my wife or I that they don't particularly care for, they go beserk. Thank God neither of them weigh over 16 lbs., so a quick yank on the leash ends their stampede of miniature terror. The attitude they project would make you think they were 100lb. muscle-bound attack Rottweilers...
Most of the hooplah over Pit Bulls is exactly that: hooplah. People with far too much time on their hands, far too much ignorance and way too little common sense end up making and passing laws like this.
It's all about how the dog is trained and treated; some breeds do have a disposition towards certain behaviors, but categorizing Pit Bulls as something close to a 4-legged weapon on the prowl is stupidity at it's finest.
