PitBulls were known as the nanny dog because they were sweet and gentle family dogs but also ferocious defenders. A Cane Corso also known as an Italian Mastiff is another breed that got a bad rap here in America because and irresponsible owner(a lawyer if I recall) trained her pair to be aggressive and they killed someone in SanFranshitco years ago. When a Cane Corso has it's ears cropped to breed standards they look like an extra large scary PitBull. Anyway I believe that all dogs, unless some gangbanger or other worthless trash breeds them to aggression, wants to love and be loved scary looking or not.
OPur current foster is a Maltese/ Poodle mix. He was severely abused as a pup. Went to live with a woman for about 4 years, she got to old to care for his so she gave him to the mother of one of the women we foster with. First thing he did was bite her. She kept him for another 4 years. She lives in an assisted living facility and about a month ago he got off the elevator and bit another resident. They told her, 30 days either he goes or you go. In a little over a week I have been able to pet him about 15 times. The rest of the time if I get too close he growls at me. He lets Vergette pet him quite a bit, but occasionally growls at her. We have him working with a certified trainer to get him past his trust issues. I don't think he will be able to be adopted since most people don't want a dog that will spend a month or more growling at them. He is very cute a smart, but definitely can't be with kids. Wish us luck with him.