A 3 year old can control a large dog if the dog wants to be controlled. If the dog wants to go do something else, that kid is going to have no chance to keep it in place.
I don't think big dogs are any meaner or more violent than other dogs, and they can be just as sweet, but there's a big difference between a poorly-raised pit and a poorly-raised dachshund when it comes to how much damage they are capable of, and how easy they are to stop.
A 3 year old can control a large dog if the dog wants to be controlled. If the dog wants to go do something else, that kid is going to have no chance to keep it in place.
I don't think big dogs are any meaner or more violent than other dogs, and they can be just as sweet, but there's a big difference between a poorly-raised pit and a poorly-raised dachshund when it comes to how much damage they are capable of, and how easy they are to stop.