Well, I think that the fact that smaller dogs inflict less harm is a given. When did you last hear that a laso apso attacked and killed a jogger? The idea is laughable. The reason that pit bulls make the papers is because of the damage inflicted by the way that they bite. If the attacks were as harmless as one inflicted by a miniature poodle, would it even be note worthy? I agree that small dogs are often more aggressive and territorial than pit bulls. I have also always felt that was a stupid argument when defending bull breeds. How does that even factor in? Who cares if a chihuahua bites a person 98 times in its lifetime if it never even breaks the skin? Everyone cares if a pit bull bites a person one time and that person dies from their massive wound.
If 14 year olds all wanted to buy up chihuahuas as status symbols, train them to attack every stranger, and breed them out of control, it wouldn't even make the papers. Who cares? The point is that a pit bull dog has those enormous jaws and hundreds of years of selective breeding telling it to hang on and shake. That same selective breeding has made them gamey and determined. Anyone who has ever worked with a pit bull knows that they simply don't give up, and keeps several breaking sticks around because of it. Those can be admirable traits, but if that focus becomes intent on doing damage to a person, nothing will stop that dog.
There was a time when good pit bull breeders immediately destroyed a dog if it turned on a person. That doesn't happen anymore. There was also a time when a pit bull dog was bred to weigh around 50-60 lbs. Now, with the introduction of weight pulling and status symbol, they can run over a hundred. That is a lot of dog to be pulling off of a person or another animal.
And, don't forget that pit bull dogs often don't "turn on" until they are 2 or 3 years old. So, for the first 2 or 3 years of the dog's life, it is just fine around other dogs and animals. Then, one day, it turns on and kills the cat that it was raised with and "loved." No matter how great they are, and no matter how much you love them, if you seriously think you can trust your dog not to kill, you will be sadly disappointed one day. It is in the nature of the dog. Denying it doesn't change that fact, and no amount of training will take it out of the dog. Only constant adherence to precautionary safety measures prevent disaster, and most people don't see it coming until it happens.
Do I think they make good pets? Not for 99% of people. The last 1% have the time, intelligence, and dedication to keep their dog, other animals, and people safe.
Ok, I really am done this tme..
Heika