“protective” of children is often doublespeak for being very, very careful around children.
They say the same about Akitas. They are very protective of family. So if a couple of rambunctious playmates come around, they could bite their heads off. Dogs don’t discern like people.
Of course, being I have no young children, and not a lot of wild visitors, they are perfect for my house. I WANT them to bite the heads off anyone who comes into my house in a wild manner. All that said, I don’t think a prospective burglar would get pass the image of the two of them at the front window.
A few months ago, my dogs were growling, at the front door. I turned off the TV to see if I could hear anything, and there was a domestic argument going on in a house a block away. The man was screaming at his wife he would kill her. Good dogs.
Based on the number of replies blaming this incident on "pit bulls," I'd say you've overestimated the level of discernment you attribute to people...