Agreed...about the research. And my parents did not hang a T-bone around my neck. You think they'd waste a cut of meat like that?
However, what research could you do to make you think a pit bull would just be a damn fine pet? I'm quite sure AUT1's pit was a great dog for them. Not questioning that. But there's also a reason it would get between them and visitors he didn't know. And if that visitor just happened to make move he didn't like.....
Last year, we went to this Humane Society fund raiser. Outside event and everyone brought their dogs. At one point while we were walking around, this guy had a pit right next to us. Another guy walked by with his dog on a leash and apparently his dog said something about the pit's mama bein' a bitch or something like that. The pit went after it. Now granted, he was leashed and fortunately, his owner was a full grown man. I don't know that I have ever seen so much strength, power and aggression in a dog up close like that. I have no doubt in my mind he would have killed whatever he was after, human or otherwise.
If he would have made a move at us, he would have ate the guy up. No denying that. I have also seen big dumb hairy English Sheepdogs, Labs and Setters that were protective of their owners in the same way. I have also seen little Bichons that would slap eat yo ass up for just being in the same room that were raised in a good environment. Dogs are weird, but you can go a long ways raising one the right way.
A guy that my wife works with is promising us a pure Heeler pup this spring. Did ya'll break your's of trying to herd the kids or just laugh at him as he nipped their heels?
We were the kids and if you remember my story about the wasp in the spool of wire and everyone laughing then you know what happened.
Heelers are good dogs. Loyal, protective, but remember that if you have others over and some other kids are playing with your kids, it's best if they don't play rough. He/She could take it the wrong way.