"Good lord have you ever had a standard poodle bite you!!!!"
Yes, but how many stories have you read about a poodle mauling a child (or adult) to death?
I would prefer to be standing in front of a judge and jury explaining how my labrador had never bitten anybody before, than stand there explaining how my "big loveable" rottweiller had mauled a child to death.
There is a world of difference between a dog bite and being mauled to death by a 150 pound beast.
Imagine yourself in front of the judge and jury. Which case would you rather be explaining? You lab biting a child and being pulled off, or your 150# rottie mauling a child to death?
As with guns, one must consider the potential courtroom fallout if things go unexpectedly wrong.