Pit/dane or bullydane

If you want them to be tall then cross the male pit on a female dane, if you cross over a female pit you will get the height of the pit, at least that is how it works with lurchers when they are crossing pits over greyhounds. I have seen some "bully bred" pits that looked very simialar to your dog before the fad for the short thick can't breath ones came in. They obviosly had something else crossed in them somewhere. I would cross a good game bred pit male on a thick dane or mastiff if I was looking to do the cross. Oh and sorry to hear about your dog that is a terrible way to lose a good one.