Errrr let’s see…deaths by American Bully XL and other such breeds in UK recent years: Multiple. In fact, mostly them.
Deaths by Labs, Chihuahuas, St. Bernard’s, Corgis, Jack Russells, Shih Tzus, Retrievers etc. (take your pick): ZERO. Maybe one or two.
There, categorised for you.
ETA: even if we are generous and categorise danger just by attacks and not necessarily deaths I bet bully type dogs and the like will still outnumber anything else by a landslide
Yep, anyone that has a dog with jaws bigger than most folks neck should be aware that their dog is dangerous. Don't leave any dog off a leash, period, but be extra vigilant with the bigger ones (or even outright ban them).
We've got a staffie, a proper one. Not one of the snarling, bull mastiff cross breeds or American Pitbull ones that they unfairly get compared to. He's the dumbest, most gentle, friendly dog I've ever met. He's amazing with people, kids, small dogs, cats. A sparrow hopped past him the other week when he was lounging in the back garden. He just sniffed it and flopped his head back down on the grass. Then one of the cats swiped at him because she's an arsehole. Still doesn't do anything.
But bigger dogs? He used to try and dominate them. He wouldn't bite or snarl or anything but he would try and tower over them, so he never got out of his harness when we were out in case he saw a German shepherd that he wanted to argue with. Even if it was just small dogs or other people nearby he would still be on the leash until we found clear fields. Same thing applied at home. Spend time around the kids, absolutely, but not alone with the youngest. Now that he's an old boy he mostly spends his days eating food and farting, but you still just need to take extra precaution because you never know what can happen. It's really not difficult.
I love the daft bastard. He's one of my best friends. But, if I'm being honest, even staffies shouldn't be a breed that's available in the UK, let alone pitbulls. Once he's left us to go chase (or sniff) rabbits and birds in doggo heaven we're not getting another breed like him because our odds of getting another one like him are low.