At one point in history, dogs were not pets but were instead used to guard livestock, which meant a certain amount of aggression was required. Dogs were often bred to be aggressive, in fact, which is why so many of them are still that way today. However, does “aggression” always mean “dangerous”? Not necessarily, but for a lot of these dogs, those two words are one and the same.
We’ve all heard about dogs that have attacked and even killed people, and even though this doesn’t happen every day, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some dogs out there that are very dangerous.
Knowing which ones are more likely to be dangerous is a good way to protect yourself from a disaster, and even though most of these dogs are not going to harm you in the end, it is still good to know which ones have that potential.
In addition, most dog owners are very responsible and will never train their pets to do inappropriate things, but if you want to know which dog breeds are the most dangerous overall, below are 10 of them for you to become familiar with.
1. Pit Bulls
It’s likely the number one breed on this list isn’t a surprise to you. Pit bulls can be very aggressive, even though they are not nearly as aggressive as they were at one point.
A few of the reasons why they can be so dangerous is their brute strength, their determination, their aggression, and their very powerful jaws. Pit bulls can bite through a rope easily and even some chains, which is why they are often so difficult to restrain.
Some governments, in fact, have placed restrictions on these dogs and do not allow people to own them. In the past, pit bulls were often trained to fight with other aggressive dogs until one of them was dead, so it is no surprise that this is one of the most dangerous dog breeds on the planet.
2. Rottweilers
Rottweilers are another very aggressive dog breed. Many dog experts suggest that rottweilers never be used as family pets, because they have been known to kill even small children and babies.
If you buy a rottweiler as a puppy, you’d be better off to have him trained properly by an expert as soon as possible. This can help reduce the amount of aggression they develop and keep them a little calmer.
If they are trained properly from the beginning, they are a little less aggressive, but even owners claim that the dog can be a little intimidating at times. One thing for sure: rottweilers will always protect their owners at all costs, so you won’t have to worry about someone trying to hurt you in your own home.
3. German Shepherds
While German Shepherds are beautiful and very loyal dogs, they can be very aggressive as well. Most families that own these dogs never have problems with them, but unfortunately that isn’t always the case.
German shepherds weigh around 80 lbs. and have 300 pounds of bite force, which is something to keep in mind because they are a family dog that will defend that family at all costs, often with fatal results.
As long as most German Shepherds do not feel threatened or feel that their family is being threatened, they are calm and have a friendly disposition. It is just good to keep in mind that if they are put in the right situation, German Shepherds will attack and even kill someone if they feel that is necessary.
4. Doberman Pinschers
Police forces have used the Doberman pinscher because of its fearless attitude and its tremendous amount of energy. Just like other aggressive dogs, it’s good to train your Doberman pinscher as a puppy if you can because these obedience classes can go a long way in reducing their aggression.
Dobermans are naturally independent, aggressive, and very intelligent, which can be a deadly combination if you don’t take certain precautions.
Recent breeding techniques have reduced the amount of aggression in Doberman pinschers, but they still hold a certain amount of aggression and likely always will. Remember, these dogs have a dominating nature and can weigh up to 100 lbs., meaning they can be a deadly force regardless of their breeding or even their treatment by others.
5. Wolf Hybrid
Many states have actually banned the wolf hybrid as a family pet, and there is little wonder why. Between 1982 and 2014, no fewer than 19 casualties resulted from one of these hybrids, which are half-dog and half-wolf.
One of the problems with these dogs is that they are unpredictable and have minds of their own. Even if you train them properly, their wolf “side” may overpower the other parts of their personality, with often deadly results.
Some owners claim their wolf hybrid is not only not a threat but is in fact a little on the shy side, but with their unpredictability comes lots of potential danger.
Wolves are one of the biggest carnivores there are, and they are also one of the most deadly creatures on the planet. The best suggestion if you ever get a chance to own a wolf hybrid is don’t! Because you never know what might happen.
6. Mastiff (English and Bull)
Bull and English mastiffs are energetic, smart, and athletic, but in protecting your family, they may consider everyone who walks inside your home to be a threat, even when they’re not. They are typically around three feet high and can weigh up to 230 lbs. or more. With a size this big, you can just imagine how tragic it would be to have your mastiff attack someone you know and love.
Once again, proper training with an expert can help a lot, and the earlier you get started, the better results you’ll likely see in the end. When training, train them for socialization because this can help a lot. With a lot of socialization, your mastiff is more likely to stay calm when he’s around your friends and other family members.
7. Alaskan Malamute
Mushers used to use these dogs for freight transportation in snowy areas of the world. They are bigger than the Siberian or Alaskan husky but also good with families, especially children. However, the dog has a very strong drive to hunt down and capture their prey, and they will do this with humans as well.
The biggest problem is that Alaskan malamutes have tons of energy and have to find ways to expend this energy. They don’t always do this in productive ways, and this is where the trouble comes in. Although the number of deaths by these dogs is difficult to determine, even a few deaths are too many, so be careful when you decide to buy one of these dogs.
8. Akita
This is a very large, strong dog that just happens to have a bullying personality. If they are socialized and properly trained, they will take good care of your family, but they do not stand back or even get scared when they are threatened. Indeed, these dogs are absolutely fearless. They even consider long-term eye contact to be a threat, and they will often pounce on you before you know it.
If you do decide to keep an Akita, make sure there are no other pets in the household, because this dog will often harm other animals, especially same-sex ones. Consistent, regular training is the only way to make sure nothing tragic happens after you let this dog into your home.
9. Boxers
Boxers are hunting dogs that have been trained to attack other animals on hunts, which is a large part of why they are so aggressive. They are very dominant dogs and are especially aggressive toward other male dogs.
Unfortunately, many of the attacks by boxers are on children because children are unaware of how to act around them. You cannot even punish them because even this can cause the dog to be aggressive and dangerous.
In the past, boxers were often trained to fight, which doesn’t help, and the biggest problem is that you never know when their aggressive instincts will “kick in.”
10. Siberian Husky
While keeping large dogs around the house when small children live there is never a good idea, this is especially important with dogs such as the Siberian husky. Although huskies love people and are very social, they are always hyperactive and fired up, and they need a way to expend that energy.
It’s best not to own a Siberian husky regardless of your family situation, but children especially should never be left alone with one of these dogs.
Worse yet, you don’t always know exactly what will bring out their aggressive behavior, and this is one of the things that makes them so dangerous. Overall, it is simply best not to own one of these animals. This is especially true if you have small children in the home or even other pets, because dogs that are aggressive will often attack anyone or anything they consider to be in their way.