Pound for pound, perhaps. And I agree that the great dane would be in big trouble. But some larger breeds can easily kill a pit in a defensive situation just as a fair heavy weight can easily beat a great lightweight.
Tosas, filas, boerboels, and a few other big mastiffs will make short work of a pit because they are much bigger and stronger. They don’t have to be “gamer” because the 50-60 lbs pit is simply going to have its spine snapped by the 150 lb to 220 lb dog.
With the exception of the Tosa, these mastiffs are not fighting dogs, but protective breeds. Consequently, when I say they would make short work of the pit, I am saying that would be the case in a pit attack situation - I’m not talking about dog fighting, which is an abomination.
One fila owner had a pit charge him on his property, and before he realized what was happening his fila had grabbed the pit and was bashing it against a tree trunk. The pit didn’t survive.
The problem with the pit is that it (like the Tosa) is bred for dog aggression. When you couple that genetic drive with left hand side of the bell curve owners, you get a dog that is very dangerous.
If you live in a neighborhood with pits, having a pet boerboel, fila, or cane corso would provide a good first line of defense, which should be backed up with a .357 or larger caliber.
While I would agree that some big breeds (such as a Dogo Argentine, Fila, etc.) would fare well, pound for pound a so-called pitbull is the greater fighter... The problem is that what are known today as PBs have been so ill-bred that the characteristics of their orginial sires (Amstaffs, Engstaffs and bull terrriers) are hardly present in the outcome--but those great breeds of dogs bear the brunt of being lumped in with what people call a pitbull.
Actually I want to get a Rhodesian Ridgeback next time, they too are a strong dog and are considered one of the smartest breeds.
I like the turkish kangal dog myself. But I get your point. I think you are responding to a post where I was responding to someone that wanted to put two pitts in a cell with a great dane. The dane wouldn’t stand a chance.