Lets get some facts here because all I see are people throwing around opinions and we all know what those are like..... Pit Bulls are descendants of the original English bull-baiting dog—a dog that was bred to bite and hold bulls, bears and other large animals around the face and head. "Bulldogs" were bred to hang on without releasing their grip, until the animal was exhausted from fighting and from loss of blood. When baiting large animals was banned in the 1800s, people then started to fight their dogs against each other instead. As the "sport" of dog fighting developed, enthusiasts bred a lighter, more athletic canine. These dogs made their way to North America, the ancestors of today's Pit Bulls. Pit Bulls that were not used for fighting were considered ideal family pets—affectionate, loyal and gentle with children. Serious problems started when these dogs gained the attention of people looking for a macho dog—and to meet their demands, unscrupulous and uncaring breeders are producing puppies that were not only aggressive to other dogs, but also to people. (http://www.aspca.org/fight-animal-cruelty/dog-fighting/pit-bull-cruelty.aspx?gclid=CPvm0qHx4bECFQfCKgodDysAow) In a recent study of 122 dog breeds by the American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS), Pit Bulls achieved a passing rate of 83.9%. That's as good or better than Beagles ... 78.2%, and Golden Retrievers ... 83.2%. Study can be found here: http://atts.org/breed-statistics/statistics-page1/ Research shows that during the 7-year period from 2005 to 2011, pit bulls and rottweilers accounted for 74% of the total recorded fatal dog attacks. By compiling U.S. and Canadian press accounts between 1982 and 2011, a report by Animal People shows that pit bulls (215) and rottweilers (81) and their mixes accounted for 64% of the total recorded fatal attacks (466). (2011 U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Statistics - DogsBite.org, DogsBite.org, January 4, 2012. Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada, September 1982 to December 26, 2011, by Merritt Clifton, Animal People, December, 26, 2011) Cliffs: There is factual arguements for both sides, that mostly points to poor ownership choices and improper/lack of training of the dog.