My personal experience after having spoken with several trainers and dog show types and Breeders when looking for a Pet. General consensus was. Pits were good as Guard Dogs. Not necessarily ideal as family pets. Though they kind of danced around a definitive answer. I guess due to the sensitive nature of the subject.

One guy however noted that some of the difficulty and confusion is the prevalence of Mutts that resemble Pits and often are labeled as such by shelters. Even though they may only have a little in them. Giving a false impression of the breed’s suitability as a family pet. Ala a family believing they’re adopting a Pit. When in reality it’s a Mutt that’s mostly Lab/Collie or some other mix of family/child friendly breeds.

Though the same guy also said “Never rule out training either. Just because the owner or family insists the dog was well trained, and well behaved doesn’t mean it’s true.”