My sister has an American Staffordshire. That's a different way of saying pitbull. All muscle and teeth. It is a really sweet rescue dog, but I still don't think they are an appropriate pet for most people. Her last dog was a huge Great Dane / Bull Terrier cross. At least she never has to worry about burglars.
I would love a German Shepherd but chances are we will get something small and cute and yappy in the new year.
My parents have a Staffie and he's the best dog. My Mum is disabled and he's the biggest baby. The one who ruled the roost in that house for the longest time was my sisters one eyed cat, not the pitbull 
They're banned where I live but BSL laws are ridiculous IMO
I have known some adorable staffies. I tend to support BSL. There are too many irresponsible dog owners. I'd rather my neighbour be an irresponsible chihuahua owner or golden retriever owner than an irresponsible pitbull owner. I'd rather my kids got bitten by a cattle dog or a labrador than a pitbull. I just don't see why any suburban dog owner needs such a powerful dog.
I have over 25 years in animal rescue and the smaller dogs are the ones who are more prone to biting and I've seen some horrific bites from small dogs. Proper ownership should be placed on the owners, and not on a specific breed. My youngest dog is close to 100 lbs and she's only 8 months old. But proper training is vital for any dog of any size.
There will always be a dog who is the current target. In the past it's been German Shepherds, Dobermans and Rottweilers.
Think with small sized dogs it is because so many owners of small dogs don't think they need to train the critter, because they can lift it.
Behaviour of the dog shows the nature of the human. And to many humans with little dogs just don't want to see their dog as a proper dog. Just as an accessory on four legs.
Know someone with a Rhodesian Ridgeback as an assistant dog. She trained the magnificent beast herself. She's barely capable of anything, physically. But she knows how to train her dogs. Before this dog, she had black shepherd dogs. She still has the last black shepherd. He's semi retired. His task is now to feed her rabbit.
Then in that same street lives a woman with a "kutkeffertje". She can't control her 30 cm high dog, because she never thought it important. That wee critter now sometimes possess a danger to the woman with the Ridgeback. And the Ridgeback isn't allowed to intervene and defend his human, because then she won't be allowed to have him as a service dog anymore. Her command over the dog is that strong that indeed he will not intervene. Heel stand between her and the other dog, if his leash allows it, but nothing more.
