DTA mentioned I had Filas for a number of years. As man aggressive as any dog out there, as their breeding has pushed them that way for many years, but they must be tested "GREEN". It can be as early as 10-11 months ( a bit premature for me but I did have one that was full on at 11 months but not the norm) or as late as 2-3 years. The temperament test is basically a guy in a suit with a short stick with a marker attached to the end. He basically moves at you in an aggressive manner trying to mark you and the dog must get out in front and engage to prevent the attack (protection). A green dog who is correct will bite the first thing he can get to and a lot of times will re-grip/re-direct upward biting toward the face. The green dog who is correct is hectic in his bite, biting with the front teeth/hangers and may or may not target. The 'sleeve happy' dog (trained) targets his bite to the sleeve, bites full mouth (practice) and performs in a more calm fashion (methodical). Both of these dogs show up to be evaluated/temperament tested for correctness. In bulldog terms, one is OTC and the other is not.

I agree 'in a perfect world' or 'someone who you trust' is a the best preface in showing merit in OTC. But even that can be a little deceiving as the chain running/very active dog will be in a little better shape than his lay around all day buddy. Then the question becomes did he run enough gas into himself to outlast the next guy or was he truly the better dog. I have always considered it a team sport, it is dog and man or man and dog, whichever you prefer.

Luckily I have only had one that I thought was a true man biter (bulldog). I have had others that would reach back and snap or nip to make you let them go to get to the other side. That is where a handle really becomes a "handle". Seen a dog being de-fanged and he re-gripped and got the hand. Like always, some 'all knowing, genius of a dog man' standing pit side exclaims he would not have a man biter like that and he would put him down right now.

Regardless of how people rank traits mouth is the most popular across the board. It is the most talked about. It's importance is relative. But when they are bred to bite other things it can't be a surprise when they bite something other than what we want them to bite. (us).

Again it takes all kinds. EWO