5 Most Dangerous Dog Breeds

Dogs may be considered man's best friend and can be thefriendliest of pets or companions, but at times their actions can be quite unpredictable. Every year there are many serious injuries, some being fatal, that are caused by attacks from dogs. Some dog breeds are known to be more ferocious or have vicious temperaments compared to other breeds. There are also dogs that despite having had years of training from birth,still turning on their owners or others. This list should inform you of some of the moredangerous dog breeds that are known for attacking humans and what to be wary of when dealing with these breeds.

5 Most Aggressive Dog Breeds

1. Pit Bulls

pit bullOut of all of the dog breeds on this list, the pit bull ranks the highest in being the breed responsible for most dog attacks and fatalities per year despite the breed making up only around 6% of the entire population of dogs in the United States. In 2016, around 71% of fatal dog attacks in the United States were caused by pit bulls and about 82% of fatalities in the year before. Not only are pit bulls linked to attacks on their owners and other people, but they can also be highly violent towards other dogs and many domesticated animals. They require socialization training early on while they are still puppies to prevent any incidents.Pit bulls may be smaller than some of the dog breeds on this list but they can be very powerful and have a naturally muscular build for its size. They are also known for having an extremely strong bite that in many cases of pit bull attacks on humans or other animals, the owners often have to use a tool to pry the dog's jaw loose to prevent it from causing any more harm to the victim of the bite.

In a worst case scenario of a pit bull attack, the dog often has to be tranquilized as further exposure from a pit bull bite can cause tearing of the skin or muscle tissue. Despite the numerous recorded attacks and fatalities from pit bulls, they can be very people-friendly dogs when trained with care and attention. Pit bulls can grow to be up to 22 inches in height and have a sturdy build that is suitable for an open yard that is fenced off to allow it to roam and get as much exercise as it needs. While pit bulls can be quite friendly with children, it is best never to leave the dog alone with children unsupervised. The same goes for owners who own other dogs and pets as the pit bull tends to not get along well with other animals.

2. Rottweilers

rotweiler

Rottweilers are the second leading cause per year in dog-related attacks and fatalities right behind pit bulls with both breeds having multitudes of recorded attacks each year in the United States. In 2016, about 6% of recorded dog attack fatalities were caused by Rottweilers and in 2015 they were the cause of at least 9% of dog attack fatalities in the United States. Rottweilers can be very stubborn and have an aggressive temperament. They cannot only harm people due to its behavior but can be destructive to its environment and property. Rottweilers are independent and require a skilled trainer to make sure they can be kept under control and to prevent the dog from doing anything wrong when with its owner or other people.

Rottweilers are also considered to be the eighth most popular dog breed in the United States and are therefore quite common. While not the largest breed to be found on this list, Rottweilers are still fairly large with healthy adults ranging from 22 to 27 inches in height at the shoulder and weighing anywhere from 85 to 130 pounds. Just as well, Rottweilers are known for their sturdy build and incredible strength from their breed’s origins as working dogs and because of this can cause severe damage in an attack scenario. However, Rottweilers are typically friendly yet wary dogs that are fiercely protective of their families. It is imperative to provide extensive socialization to young Rottweilers to reduce the chances of an unprecedented attack in their adult life.

3. German Shepherd

German Shepherds are a large breed of dog most notably recognized as being the breed widely used by law enforcement agencies and are also trained as service dogs. The breed, while it is known for being able to be a well-trained dog breed, are still one of the many dogs on this list that are involved in fatal dog attacks almost every year. In both 2013 and 2016, around 6% of fatal dog attacks in the United States were caused by German Shepherds with the highest percentage in the past few years being in 2010 at 9% of fatal dog attacks. Just like with Bullmastiffs, German Shepherds can be aggressive towards other dogs if not properly given early socialization training while they are still young.

German Shepherds are not only commonly used in law enforcement and as service dogs, they are considered one of the top ten most popular breeds worldwide and are one of the most recognizable breeds around. This combined with their reputation for being well trained and obedient adult dogs means most people will encounter this breed several times. This is not typically a cause for worry, as proper training can turn a German Shepherd into a friendly guardian of any home, but improper or deliberately aggressive training can turn one of these dogs into a dangerous animal. German Shepherds, like many dogs on this list, require attention and exercise to keep a handle on their stress and they will be more prone to violence if left to their own devices in a confined space.

3. Boxer Dog

boxerThe Boxer breed of dog are well-built and muscular and usually range from 21 to 25 inches in height making it a medium to large-sized dog. In 2009, 6% of fatal dog attacks in the United States were caused by Boxers with other serious to fatal injuries occurring in almost every year after. Boxers are independent dogs that require strict training or else they will tend to go out of their way to make themselves dominant in their territory. They can be very aggressive towards other dogs of the same sex and will even attempt to assert dominance over other dogs in their presence and they also can be aggressive towards other pets as well.

To prevent Boxer attack scenarios it is extremely important to provide the dog with lots of exercise and play, as well as a solid training foundation to work from. Boxers are also considered to be fully matured only at age three, meaning training efforts should continue at full scale until this point to ensure the dog receives all the necessary training. Boxers are fairly tall dogs that will stand between 21 to 25 inches tall but weigh in between a small range of 60 to 70 pounds. While not the heaviest or the tallest dog listed, this breed tends to be strong and capable of causing severe damage when attacking.They should always be properly introduced to newcomers as these dogs are known to be deeply loyal and protective of their families and will act quickly and decisively in stressful situations.

5. Bullmastiff

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pet large red dog bullmastiff lying on the dry grass

The Bullmastiff is a large breed of dog that can have a very stubborn personality, is known to be protective of its owners, and will become aggressive if any strangers or unwelcome animals enter its territory. In 2014, about 5% of fatal dog attacks in the United States were caused by Bullmastiffs and in other recorded incidents there have been Bullmastiff-mixed breeds involved in other serious to fatal dog attacks. The breed can grow to be quite large and has a naturally strong and muscular build making it a very powerful breed. The Bullmastiff is usually very aggressive towards other dogs of its same-sex and if not trained properly, it can cause serious injury to other dogs and animals. Thedestruction of property is another possible problem if left unsupervised.

This breed is known for its ferocious protection of its family and home, and will most likely be in an attacker position if they feel they or their family are being threatened. Initial training is very important for attack prevention as well as taking precautions by introducing newcomers to a Bullmastiff that is established in its home. Bringing people directly to the Bullmastiff and introducing them to show they are no threat to you or you home could greatly improve the dog’s response to new people and animals alike. However, Bullmastiffs are very large dogs with healthy adults standing at 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighing in between 100 and 130 pounds. This means the Bullmastiff can do a lot of damage before being removed from a victim. So, if you are unsure of how you Bullmastiff may react to a newcomer, be sure to have safety measures in place to stop an attack before it starts with a strong leash and even stronger training.