I've got the pit, a Labrador, and three pesky ass cats. My pit-bull is so gentle with the cats and the Lab, and with kids and everybody in general that it is ridiculous. At the same time, in Arizona, she got jumped by three "farm dogs" (for lack of a better term). I do all I can to get between my dogs and conflict but we were out in a rural area and they got there pretty quick. She defended herself very vigorously- its her nature- and it took some time to calm her down. A sweetheart of a dog, though.
By the way, as I type today, I am not retarded. My stupid cat is helping me.