Popular But Dangerous Dog Breeds That You May Want To Reconsider Adopting – They’re Quite Aggressive
When most people adopt a dog, they want a new best friend, not a fighter. To prevent this risk, some owners may seek "non-aggressive" dog breeds. However, statistics vary wildly when it comes to dog breed aggression. Canine behavior varies based on the owner and how researchers define "aggression."
Nonetheless, these statistics label the most dangerous dog breeds, from tiny toy dogs to police dogs to the most popular dogs in America. Here are the most aggressive dog breeds; take each with a grain of salt. Keep reading to find out more.
Beagles
Studies about Beagle aggression have been mixed. During a study by the Medical University of Graz, researchers stated that Beagles bit owners as often as Rottweilers did. This study only recorded attacks against children under age 17.
However, a study in PLoS One tells a different story. While observing adopted laboratory Beagles, the scientists saw no signs of aggression. It seems that, like every other dog breed, Beagles only become aggressive during certain circumstances.
Shar-Peis
Like many dogs bred for hunting, Shar-Peis can still have some fight in them. In particular, this breed is known for acting territorial and unfriendly if they are not properly socialized, and studies reflect this.
Research in the New Zealand Veterinary Journal stated vets' opinions about certain dog breeds, and they classified Shar-Peis as "very aggressive." These votes were backed up by the American Temperament Test Society, which ranked Shar-Peis within the top seven most aggressive dog breeds.
Pit Bulls
The myth that Pit Bulls are aggressive has some statistical backing. According to DogBite.org's 13-year study, pit bulls were involved in 66% of America's fatal dog attacks. Researchers also bring up some evidence that aggressive people are more likely to own "aggressive" breeds, according to Forbes.
Sadly, this reputation is endangering Pit Bulls' lives. The breed is illegal in 10 states, and as a result, many of these dogs get put down in shelters. Plus, the American Academy of Pediatrics did not find the same aggression from Pit Bulls int their study.
Dachshunds
While Dachshunds may be small, they'll still bite if they're provoked. As hunter dogs, Dachshunds can naturally turn aggressive if they aren't socialized or trained properly. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania labeled Dachshunds as the most aggressive breed, especially toward their owners and other dogs.
According to a 2005 study, Dachshunds are the third most likely breed to bite children under the age of 17. They attacked at least 22 children and young adults from 1994 to 2003.
Jack Russell Terriers
Those who want a small dog with a big attitude may adopt a Jack Russell Terrier. After analyzing surveys from dog owners, the American Veterinary Medical Association listed Jack Russell Terriers as the seventh most violent dog breed.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Terriers have bitten more children and adolescents than most other breeds. Over nine years, Terriers conducted 15 attacks against children. This is why Jack Russell Terriers need proper training.
Siberian Huskies
As adorable as Siberian Huskies are, they can bite as well as any other big dog. A study by Philadelphia lawyers documented more Husky attacks than most other breeds. Over 12 years, Huskies caused 13 fatalities in the U.S.
According to Frank Coote, a dog warden for the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, large dogs always pose a risk to children, regardless of breed. Huskies may nip at their owners or other dogs if they're handled roughly.
German Shepherds
German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S., according to the American Kennel Club. Their loyalty and intelligence are unmatched, which could be why owners don't expect German Shepherds to bite. But they do.
In 2005, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a study recording which breeds bite children (under 17) most often. Underneath cross breeds, German Shepherds had the most recorded bites on the list: 105 within nine years.
Labrador Retrievers
Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breed in America. The commonness of this dog may explain why so many of them bite people per year.
In terms of children, Labrador Retrievers are the third most frequent biters with 484 cases over nine years.
Doberman Pinschers
Doberman Pinschers have received a reputation as fierce fighters, and statistics slightly back up these claims. Of the ten dogs most likely to cause a fatal attack, Dobermans were the lowest on the list. In terms of biting children, Dobermans were also one of the least likely, with only eight cases over nine years.
The American Veterinary Medical Association reports a stronger correlation between Dobermans and aggression. According to their surveys, Dobermans are one of the most likely breeds to turn violent.
Bullmastiffs
Despite their kind expressions, Bullmastiffs have broad, strong muscles--making an attack from them seem terrifying. Of all the dog breeds, Bullmastiffs are the sixth most aggressive; they caused 14 fatal attacks over 13 years, according to DogBite.
When we tally bites instead of fatalities, the number rises.The American Kennel Club recorded the known dog breed attacks from 1982 to 2009. During that time, Bullmastiffs attacked at least 37 victims, most of whom were adults.
Rottweilers
According to the Seattle Times, Rottweilers have significantly risen in popularity since 1997. Yet their aggressive nature has a seemingly contradictory statistical backing. DogBite records Rottweilers as the second most vicious breed with 45 fatalities over 13 years.
However, the American Kennel Association reports fewer over a longer time; from 1982 to 2009, they reported only 67 Rottweiler-related deaths.
Boxers
During the nineteenth century, Boxers were bred for dogfighting and hunting. Although they make friendly and loyal pets, a Boxer bite can cause some severe damage.
In 2008, a study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science pinpointed that most Boxer attacks are against other dogs and not against their owners. If provoked, and without proper training, they may bite other people.
Chow Chows
Although Chow Chows have declined in popularity, they're still beloved guard dogs. From 1982 to 2009, there were almost 1,600 Chow Chows registered in the U.S. Of those, at least 49 dogs attacked people, resulting in seven deaths, according to the American Kennel Club.
As hunting and guard dogs, Chow Chows can become aggressive if they or their owners are threatened. According to Liljegren Law Group, Chow Chows don't attack as often as they defend. Out of 238 dog attacks, Chow Chows caused eight of them.
American Bulldogs
If a Bulldog is threatened or not properly socialized, it may bite. According to DogBite, American Bulldogs have caused the fifth most fatalities of all dogs in the U.S.
Like Pit Bulls, Bulldogs have gained a reputation as an "aggressive" dog because of their fierce look. Researchers from the University of Bristol stated that an owner's personality predicted dog aggression more than the breed. Unfortunately, vicious owners tend to adopt stereotypically aggressive dogs.
Saint Bernards
A large dog may intimidate a lot of people, and Saint Bernards definitely make the cut. According to research by the Journal of the AVMA, Saint Bernards bite more than most other dog breeds. Pet Help also listed Saint Bernards as one of the more violent dogs in America.
Experts believe that Saint Bernards descended from the Alpine Mastiff, which is also an aggressive breed. In most cases, however, Saint Bernards are easygoing dogs who get along with children.
Poodles
Poodles of any size are popular dog breeds. Intelligent, loyal, and friendly, poodles aren't generally considered to be aggressive dogs, but they can be. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Poodles are included in the top ten aggressive dogs toward children.
Research in 2008 indicates that most poodle attacks focus on other dogs. Plus, the American Temperament Test Society found that most poodles succeed at the aggression test with a 75% - 87% pass rate.
Akitas
Akitas are tall, fluffy dogs that hunted bears in ancient Japan. That makes their bite all the more dangerous.
The American Kennel Club recorded vicious behavior: around 48 Akita attacks over 37 years. Like most breeds, most Akita aggression is directed at other dogs, but they need to be trained to prevent violence against people.
Pekingese
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Pekingese can be more aggressive than Rottweilers and Dobermans. Out of 113 dogs tested, 10 of them bit their child owners, which is about 3% of all Pekingese.
However, a different study contradicted this. According to research in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Pekingese are one of the least likely dogs to bite their owners in the face. As with every dog breed, their temperament largely depends on their owners.
Schnauzers
Schnauzers come in many colors and sizes, but all of them are known as fun-loving, affectionate dogs. That doesn't erase their tendency to bite, however. The American Temperament Test Society ranked Schnauzers as one of the top seven aggressive dog breeds.
According to research on dog attacks on children, Schnauzers were ranked the tenth most likely to bite. Based on the pool of dogs they tested, 1.5% of Schnauzers acted aggressively towards their owners in that period.
Welsh Corgis
According to the New York Post, Corgis have been skyrocketing in popularity. But as herding dogs, Pembroke Welsh Corgis won't always step away from a dog fight. In 1996, vets who were interviewed labeled Corgis as "very aggressive." They considered Corgis more aggressive than Boxers, Dobermans, and Border Collies.
However, like every other dog breed, aggression in Corgis is rare. There is little evidence beyond this study that Corgis are a typically violent breed. Train your dog well, and they will likely be friendly.
Chihuahuas
The website Dognition asked subscribers to rate how aggressively their dogs acted. The results became a study that provided some fascinating insight. During the poll, owners consistently ranked Pit Bulls as the least aggressive dogs, while Chihuahuas were considered the most aggressive.
These findings line up with other studies, too. The American Temperament Test Society pinpointed Chihuahuas as one of the most aggressive dogs, and a 2008 study recorded more attacks from Chihuahuas than Dobermans.
Border Collies
Border Collies aren't typically labeled as aggressive dogs, but attacks can happen. Reports of Border Collie maulings have hit the news in the past several years. But those are vicious attacks that are considered newsworthy; non-fatal bites from Border Collies happen much more frequently.
The American Veterinary Medical Association labeled Border Collies as "frequent biters." Statistics in 2005 recorded at least ten attacks on children within nine years, making Border Collies the fifth most likely breed to bite children.
