The breed is what calls the shots. A chihuahua or a basset hound treated exactly as badly as a pit bull taught to be aggressive would NEVER, could NEVER, pose even remotely the same danger as a pit bull or rottweiler or presa canario.
You already know that I am absolutely OPPOSED TO BREED BANNING. I agree one hundred percent that it would be a very wrong thing to do, and it disturbs me that so many -- including members of my own family who have ZERO tolerance for misbehaving dogs -- immediately think the "answer" is to ban pit bulls. It's not only NOT the answer, it's plain WRONG. There must be another solution, but that solution will never be found unless and until people start accepting the fact that yes, indeed, it IS about the breed.
An Australian shepherd is going to be a whole helluva lot better cow dog than an Irish Setter, even if the Irish Setter and the Australian Shepherd have exactly the same training from day one. A Jack Russell terrier is going to be a helluva lot better rat catcher in a barn than a Golden Retriver, even if the terrier and the retriever have exactly the same training from day one.
IT IS ALL AND ONLY ABOUT THE BREED.
Wrong.
The principles of responsible dog ownership apply equally to all breeds and types.
They are not breed specific.
The application can vary according to breed, but the principles, never.
If Pit Bulls are banned I doubt the irresponsible owners of them will rush out to buy Chihuhuas, Yorkies, and such. I see them getting other large dogs that can be a lethal danger. That is why I say it is not about the breed but the owner.
I do think people should think about breed traits carefully before getting any dog. My daughter had neighbors with a border collie- the neighbors neglected the dog and it barked all the time and destroyed their property. The wife told my daughter the dog was getting agressive and she worried about it around her kids and wanted to give it away. My daughter brought it to a rancher friend of ours and he thinks this "horrible" dog is the best dog he ever owned. The dog is now cared for and gets the exercise it needed and it is doing great- doesn't bark, destroy things, and is not ever aggressive. The dog was bred to work livestock and that is what it gets to do now. Every breed has different needs and people need to consider that. Most don't though- most want whatever is popular in their area.