What are the most dangerous breeds of dogs?
Even the normally tame Golden Retriever can bite.
Any dog can bite and attack a human. We have handled many dog bite cases involving breeds that are not regarded as vicious. However, while the environment of upbringing has the most influence on the behavior of a dog, it is not wrong to stereotype certain breeds of dogs as being inherently dangerous.
As the numbers tell, a large majority of serious dog bites result from a dog that historically was bred for its aggressive behavior. In the year 2016, DogBite.org reported that 31 people died from fatal injuries caused by dog bites, with 42% of these fatalities being children aged 9 years and younger. An immeasurable amount of dog bite incidents also resulted in grievous injury, changing people’s lives forever.
Top Five Most Dangerous Dogs
Below, is the top five most dangerous dogs. These dogs were purposefully bred to possess aggressive and violent characteristics in order to accomplish a task. This list is based on the percentage of violent encounters with the specific breed, and the purpose for breeding (which undeniably has a role in behavior, hence why you never see duck hunters hunting with Chihuahuas or Marines training with Chows).
1. Pitbull
Pitbulls caused a whopping 71% of fatalities in 2016. This statistic is significant, especially considering the fact that Pitbulls only account for 6% of the total U.S. dog population. Perhaps the biggest reason for the violent behavior of Pitbulls is the task they were bred for. Every dog is bred to accomplish a specific task, and Pitbulls were historically bred to kill. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the early descendants of Pitbulls were bred to bite and hold the head and face of large animals, such as bears and bulls. The ASPCA further reported that when this practice was outlawed in the 1800s, Pitbulls started being used in the sport of dog fighting. This shift in purpose resulted in deliberate breeding based on the degree of aggressiveness.
2. Rottweiler
While not as statistically dangerous as Pitbulls, Rottweilers take second place in risk of harm. According to Dogsbite.org, Rottweilers accounted for 2 of 31 dog-related fatalities in the year 2016. Known for their muscular bodies, Rottweilers were originally bred to drive cattle. Today, they are used by militaries across the world and are also frequently employed as guard dogs. Their active nature, coupled with their muscular bodies and protective instincts, make these dogs predisposed to violence, especially when not trained properly.
3. American Bulldog
Similar to Rottweilers, American Bulldogs were bred as working dogs. Originally bred to restrain wild boar and cattle, protect property, and kill vermin, the American Bulldog possesses a very muscular body. When not trained properly, these traits come to earth and can cause harm to unsuspecting people.
4. Doberman Pinscher
Known for their pointy ears and slender bodies, Doberman Pinschers were bred specifically to serve as guard dogs. Due to their protective nature and inclination to guard what they consider theirs, Doberman Pinschers can exhibit very violent tendencies if not trained properly.
5. Wolfdog
While not as common in the Southern United States, Wolfdogs are known for their erratic and dangerous behavior. These dogs are a hybrid of wolf and domestic dog breeds. Because of their close relation to wild, un-domesticate animals, they can display violent behavior similar to their wild parents.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a dog bite, call an experienced dog bite lawyer at Fleming Law, today for a free consultation.
