i have a ABPT, Roxy who is 1 y/o. I know they can be dog/animal aggressive but i still take her to the dog park to socialize her. every time i go, people say Roxy is the sweetest dog out there. She did get into a fight (her first one) last saturday with a greyhound. the greyhound was sniffing her (male) then bit her leg/abdomen area and was growling. Roxy pinned the greyhound and grabbed the greyhound's neck. I yelled "release! Come!" and she did. This is very hard to get the dog to do though. I train her daily with protection training. Alot of it is advanced obedience training and it paid off Saturday. anyway, she usually flops on her back and rolls over if a larger dog approaches her but for some reason with this greyhound she stood firm, and now i know why. anyway, my pit has been around very young children many times (both on and off leashes). I would be 100% comfortable with leaving a 4 year old kid in my house alone with the dog. if anything, Roxy will lick the kid to death.