I grew up with them.. My children have been growing up with them. My parents have always had one. Theirs dieds at 14 about 3 years ago and they have not replaced him yet. They are GREAT with kids.. My son use to ride on him! I (and this is not to be repeated) went outside one day as a very young child and the dog would not stop licking me.. My mother said that she kept telling the dog no and to leave me alone, but since they love kids he would not. She said the next thing she knows the dog is yelping and I am hooked (by teeth) to the end of his nose.. He did nothing to me.. Just sit there and cried until my mom made me release him.. I feel so bad know as a grown up, but I guess since he was so big I could not get him to listen to me any other way..
As puppies they do CHEW tremendously.. If it's a pup becareful with that, but they are great dogs!! GORGEOUS too!!