Just to clarify things, I was trying to make the point that SOME dogs - and I don't pretend to know enough about pit bulls to included them or not - are "designer dogs" with certain characteristics bred into them. If you doubt me, watch the Westminster, or any other AKC show, and they'll tell you which.
Dobermans, who are only a little over 120 years old, ARE bred to protect, just as some were bred to hunt or herd.
BTW, Shiloh bit me while he was at my office, not on the ranch. He had no reason to be protecting anyone at the time, but he had just woken up. "Let sleeping dogs lie" is something I take to heart!! In contrast, when my mother's dog (a Bichon Frise) is playing rough, he will
still cover his teeth with his mouth when "biting" you!