My future f-i-l has a neighbor he doesnt know too well that owns a rather huge golden named "Merle." Merle broke his chain and came barrelling into his yard while we were grilling. I would like to think I can tell a friendly dog from an aggressive one by their body language, but really I just got lucky. I took a knee and put my hand out, and got knocked over with what felt like a hundred pound of dog. I got a very wet slobbery face. My point is that goldens often dont know their strength or that their actions can hurt people...
As for Pits I'm the guy who's going to wind up minus an arm some day. 99% of all the pits I have met saunter over slowly, say hello and then saunter elsewhere, so I have no fear. I have been on the receiving end of a vicious pitbull fart though. THATS where pits really are dangerous.