Phil R,
Canards are fine with some airspeed when you have airflow passing over them. At low airspeed they are somewhat 'limp' when a rapid pitch movement is required.
Thrust vectoring is effective for pitch at any speed, also throttle dependent.
Now if they really want to nudge the tail of the craft around the lateral axis fast, why don't they include side thrust vectoring in proportion with the rudders?
How about reaction control jets in the nose for pitch control similar to what the Space Shuttle uses for steering control?