Why would any family with children have a dog like this??

Love dogs - have had dozens.
That looks a beast and a half!
It reminds me of the guard dog in Harry Potter.
It’s not what I’d term a family pet.

As I said, all dogs should be muzzled by law in public places. It would save both people and other dogs from injury.

It's unfortunate that the mastiff looks quite forbidding. I agree with GSM
I wouldn't say it was 'gross'. Much as I love dogs I think it unwise to take a dog of that size into an environment such as a pub. There would be nowhere it could find a quiet spot away from human interest. Owners have a responsibility to their dogs and to the public to keep them safe.

Oh my word it’s half a camel! We own guard breeds working dogs! They do not go to pubs and we wouldn’t allow anyone to come up and touch them! Beautiful dog but so many people have dogs because the can afford them, they don’t research and then there’s trouble no fault of the dogs, but the owners every time, it doesn’t resemble a canary to me, And to be bitten must be so scary, incidentally we never let any of our children touch any dogs apart from our own wouldn’t take any notice of any owners due to the fact my son when around ten was bitten by a jack russel he had asked the owner who said yes it’s fine loves people I wasn’t there at the time it bit him, so lesson learned

but the owners every time, it doesn’t resemble a canary to me it certainly doesn't!
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Originating from the Canary Islands - Islas Canarias, Island of Dogs

This is something I feel strongly about. It amazes me that parents of young children want to risk having a large/fierce dog in the house
And I was in a pub recently too where there were a couple with a new born tiny adorable baby, AND two dogs! One was a Jack Russell, lively dogs aren't they. The other was huge, really overweight but with short legs and had bulldog features.I don't know what breed that is. I was horrified and longed to say something. Even if the dogs were good natured, the large one could roll on the baby and smother it to death. The friend I was with pointed out that it was none of my business, but I had trouble keeping my mouth shut.

At first glance, I thought it was a bear!

There's one around here. Not the breed in the picture but a large mastiff type with massive jaws. The couple walk about with a small baby in a pushchair and the dog's lead tied to the pushchair. It makes my blood run cold. If the dog bolted, the child would go with it. Irresponsible.

It's a magnificent looking dog but perhaps not my choice for a family dog. I'd be wary of taking into a crowded space too. I tend not to talk to dogs until I've spoken to the owners for a bit and the dogs know I'm OK.

I don't understand it either. There is one in our town, and it looks terrifying, even if it isn't.

I know people that have larger breed dogs, and there are limitations to where they can take them, and who will look after them, even some kennels will take only take dogs up to a certain size. Why get a dog that looks intimidating?

my niece has a huskie and an alaskan malamute, she got them as puppies from a dog breeder, they are huge and very loving, she has 4 children. some people think because they are big then they are dangerous, you are more likley to get a bite from one of those snippy little terriers that bark at everything.

nexus63

my niece has a huskie and an alaskan malamute, she got them as puppies from a dog breeder, they are huge and very loving, she has 4 children. some people think because they are big then they are dangerous, you are more likley to get a bite from one of those snippy little terriers that bark at everything.

The most vicious dog I've ever known was a Jack Russell, which would bite anyone who got within reach of it (and I know not all Jack Russells are like that - blame the deed, not the breed!), whereas in contrast, one of the softest, most loving dogs I've had the pleasure to know was a nine-stone Rottweiler.

The dog in the OP dog bit a child
The owners said the dog was friendly and the child let the dog sniff his hand first, as instructed.