Oh for the love of God, are you honestly comparing a Cocker Spaniel lunging to this pit bull going into full Cujo mode and shredding this woman,and ignoring all attempts by 3 others to get it to stop, and then bust down the door after the woman retreated there in terror? that isn’t “protection”.
I’ve been bitten by someone’s loving pet. A standard poodle, who walked up to me and bit my knee for NO REASON. I was roughhousing with a dobie, and when I ran, he chased and knocked me down. No threat, but the dog wins. :D
I’ve owned many large dogs, including a wolf hybrid, and none has ever bit a person.
Presently I own a mastiff, and he is a very laid back, peaceful character. He looks so placid people think he is lazy and dumb. I had a repairman in who was just smitten with the dog, which is neutered, and he started to play with him. I said, sternly, “Please DO NOT play with the dog.” He said, “He’s just a old fat sweetie.” Well, my dog had his wrist in his mouth at the very next “playful” gesture. No skin was broken, the man was not injured.
He said, “He doesn’t play, does he?” and I replied, “Depends on who, and how.” The dog plays with me, I am frail and have rheumatoid arthritis, but he tempers every move, and he does not put his teeth on skin.
People like to roughhouse with big dogs. Unless it’s yours, I wouldn’t, no matter what the breed. I don’t roughhouse with my son’s blind old golden, either, she’s a great dog, but play fighting is not something most dogs understand.
I’ve seen some very vicious (and I do mean vicious) smaller breed, minpins, manchesters, bichons, chihuahuas—any breed can become a biter with roughhousing.