10 Most Dangerous Dog Breeds

Some dog breeds are more prone to violence. Many dogs responsible for violent attacks have had poor training and poor socialization. Even if a breed is considered dangerous, it does not mean that dogs of this breed are incapable of being loving pets. Responsible dog ownership, sound breeding practices, proper socialization, and proper training are the standard safeguards for preventing dogs of breeds known to have a potential for violence to actually be violent.

There is some debate about which dog breeds are the most dangerous. Thirty different dog breeds have been associated with fatal attacks. Even dogs that are not considered dangerous may be responsible for surprising attacks. In 2000, a Pomeranian, definitely not considered a dangerous breed, killed an infant.

Some dog breeds have been subjected to legal restrictions in some municipalities. Pitbulls, Rottweilers, and Staffordshire Terriers are sometimes the subject of legal bans or insurance denials. In other municipalities, Staffordshire Terriers may not be considered dangerous, but Huskies or Doberman Pinschers may be banned. In the United States, many states have state laws that prohibit municipalities from banning or restricting dog ownership based solely on the dog breed.

Even though there is no universal consensus on which are the top 10 dangerous dogs, the Pitbull is almost always considered the most dangerous. Rottweilers are usually considered to be the second most dangerous dog. Presa Canarios are sometimes considered the third most dangerous dog. In fact, a fairly recent study stated that seventy-four percent of dog attacks are caused by Pitbulls, Rottweilers, and Presa Canarios.

The German Shepherd is often depicted as the third most dangerous dog. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has named Husky-type dogs and Malamutes as the fourth and fifth most dangerous dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is ranked sixth, while the Chow Chow is number seven. The Great Dane and Saint Bernard are the eighth and ninth most dangerous dogs. The Akita is often cited as the CDC’s tenth most dangerous dog breed, though the statistics could be interpreted as the Labrador Retriever is ranked tenth.

If mixed breeds are factored into the statistics for violent attacks and deaths, wolf-hybrids would be in the top 10 most dangerous dogs. Even though Presa Canarios are often considered one of the most dangerous dog breeds, they are not on the list from the CDC. Other dog breeds considered in the top ten most dangerous dogs by different sources include Boxers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, and Dalmations.