[quote1292366856=davidfitness83] [quote1292336558=ABBB] [quote1292309113=IndyGirl] My priorities: needs to be child friendly, a home guard dog,gets along with an old choc labrador retriever, loyal to owner & immediate family. And, one that does not shed very much is an enormous bonus. I appreciate your insight and time. Regards, IndyGirl [/quote1292309113] Regarding child friendly- I would not recommend a young child in a house with a pit bull. Regarding a home guard dog- Excellent guard dog. It's an intruder's worse nightmare. Regarding being raised with a choc lab retriever- Pit bulls have to be raised with the dog they are living with from babies still there is no guarantee they will get along. The difference between a pit bull and most other breeds that don't get along a pit bull has the tenacity and will to never give up in anything it does. If your two dogs fight there will be serious damage to your other dog. Regarding loyalty to family and owner- Excellent loyalty. Regarding shedding- They have very short hair they shed lightly. As a result they also do best in warmer climates. [/quote1292336558] Sorry to contradict you, I don't know if you have owned an APBT but APBT's are terrible at guarding. I don't see how you can claim that they are an intruders nightmare? the correct temperament of the breed is to never show unprovoked human agression. They were also never bred to be territorial, I can see one deffending their owner if they are in danger perhaps but never to guard a territory that is just a silly statement. You can have a fear based agressive pit from lack of socialization but that can never be interpreted as a guarding pit. Have you see the cops raiding dog fighting raids, they can literally walk up to the chained pit bulls and take them away. Try to do that to a different breed in their territory and see how it pans out. My brother rescued a pit bull mix from the pound and she is a freaking mushball with his 5 year old son, my brother in law raised his AMstaff with his 1 year old baby and they are best friends the baby is 4 now. My dog loves kids and submits to them immediately so I am not sure where you are getting this information from. This is my dog with my niece and nephew: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzLknCnOEic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izjg09DrTiM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfQcMz-bCFg This is my dog with my cat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgP_p7D-_TI You should never leave any dog unattended with a child no matter the breed or circumstance. You should also teach respect to the child so the dog will treat it right. [/quote1292366856] I own pit bulls. I know their temperament. I also know what they are reported to be like in books. In most books they say they are fine with children, they get along well with other dogs and they're not territorial. This I have found through my own experiences not to be the case. My dogs are very territorial and protective. I would not raise a child in an pit bull environment but that is just my opinion. A boxer yes, not a pit bull. Pit bulls will challenge the authority of their owners in subtle ways. They need a firm owner. My pool guy doesn't get out of the car until the dogs are in the garage. The meter reader gives us a day in advance notice to have my dog in the garage. The same with the guy that fixes the well. I tried to introduce the pool guy to one of my pits. My pit senses fear. He doesn't make friends with you if he decides he dislikes you. He will tolerate you if I say it is okay, yet he still watches and lets the outsider know that he better walk on egg shells because he will defend. It's too much for the well guy. A low rumble growl, with the middle of his hair on his back sticking straight up and gleaning eyes, when the well guy was back by his truck and couldn't move was enough for him to call on his cell and say please put the dog in the garage. I put my dogs in the garage. When they come over.