Last Updated on September, 2024
Dogs can be one of the best pets, but we must remember that they are descended from wolves.
Many dogs were bred for violent purposes such as hunting and home defense. A certain amount of the most dangerous dog breeds can be obedient and well-mannered with proper training.
The only way to determine the most aggressive dog breeds is by determining which dogs were responsible for the most aggressive number of bites and attacks.
Another method of evaluating a dog’s aggressivity is by analyzing its bite force rate.
Let me run you through some data which I have found that lists the most dangerous dog breeds.
This information could help you evaluate the risk of owning or being around dogs with high chances of attacking and how dangerous dog breeds could be.
Remember that this list of the Most Dangerous Dog Breeds is not in a particular order.
Quick Summary
The most dangerous dog breeds, including the Pit bull, Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, Wolf Hybrid, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Boxer, Doberman Pinscher, Kangal Shepherd, Turkmen Alabai, Presa Canario, Bullmastiff, and Tosa Inu.
Kangal Shepherds, Turkmen Alabais, and Presa Canarios are some of the breeds with the strongest bite force and are known for being fierce guard dogs.
Kangal Shepherds, Turkmen Alabais, and Presa Canarios are some of the breeds with the strongest bite force and are known for being fierce guard dogs.
Table of Contents
Most Dangerous Dog Breeds
1. Pit bull
According to a few databases from 2005 to 2014, Pit Bull terriers are known to have attacked 203 Americans to death, and 305 people were seriously injured after a mauling.
Pit bulls were originally bred in England.
They are not a specific breed, but they are a term encompassing several pit bull breeds, including the American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Pit Bull Terrier.
Pit bulls are known to be incredibly muscular, and their body weighs up to 80 pounds. Their strong jaws are a great killer instinct.
This could be one of the primary reasons they are the most dangerous dog breeds.
Pit bulls aren’t aggressive dogs with people they are used to, but they are less tolerant, making them dangerous.
Pitbull training tools you dog owners must have:
2. Siberian Huskies
From 2005 through 2017, Siberian Huskies killed 13 United States citizens, accounting for 3% of fatal dog attacks.
This dog breed is a heavily coated, closely sled dog of medium size and with excellent tolerance.
A Siberian husky has a bite force rate of around 320 PSI [pounds per square inch], which is strong enough to cause severe injury and makes it an aggressive dog.
Siberian Huskies were initially bred in Northeast Asia, where the Chukchi people of Siberia bred them for sled pulling and companionship.
It is an active, energetic, resilient breed used as sled dogs whose ancestors lived in the frigid and harsh environment of the Siberian Arctic. Therefore it makes a Siberian husky properly trained to live in harsh cold environments.
Husky training tools you dog owners must have:
3. Alaskan Malamute
Alaskan Malamutes are among the most ancient breeds of dogs.
These specific dog breeds are robust, heavy-duty workers of spitz type and stand 23 to 25 inches at the shoulders and weigh 75 to 85 pounds.
Alaskan Malamutes are a large breed that is generally not aggressive compared to other dogs, but some can display aggression problems, including vicious dog bite injuries.
Statistics show that Alaskan malamute poses one of the very highest dog bite totality risks.
The figures revealed that Alaskan Malamute bites resulted in 6.79 deaths per 100,000 malamutes owned. Studies say there have been 17 attacks, of which six were fatal. The bite force rate is 400 pounds per square inch.
4. Wolf Hybrid
This canine-produced dog was bred by mating a domestic dog with a wolf.
Most people think that wolf hybrids are more prone to dog bites, dog attacks, and maulings which concludes that even the utmost amount of training and socialization would not be sufficient to make all of the wolf hybrids safe to keep as pets which makes it a dangerous dog.
Wolf-dog hybrids have an average bite force rate of 406 pounds per square inch, making them strong because it is a mixed breed of wolves.
A Wolf hybrid being a descendant of a wolf makes it a high-risk pet.
5. German Shepherd
Research shows that German Shepherds were responsible for 179 attacks that caused bodily harm, including around 25 deaths.
This could be a huge number of fatal human attacks.
Dog bite statistics show that German Shepherds have an average bite force rate of around 238 pounds per square inch.
German Shepherds are a German breed of medium to large working dogs. They are primarily trained to be police dogs.
The aggression level of a German Shepherd can vary depending on genetics, socialization, training, and individual temperament.
Many dog owners are grateful for how friendly their German shepherd can be when appropriately trained.
German Shepherds are very strong dogs that are not typically aggressive by nature, but their upbringing and experiences can influence their behavior.
A German Shepherd may exhibit aggressive behavior if not adequately trained, socialized, or treated poorly. This can be fear-based aggression, territorial aggression, or protective instincts.
This most dangerous dog, when properly trained, could be one of the best guarding dogs.
German Shepherd training tools you dog owners must have:
- Best Shock Collars for German Shepherds
- Best Bark Collars for German Shepherds
- Best Dog Crates for German Shepherds
6. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are a strong breed originally bred for herding and guarding purposes.
These guard dogs can grow up to 25 inches tall and weigh 120 pounds.
They can be amiable and protective dogs but are very dangerous with new people, especially when protecting their owners.
According to Animal 24-7, since 1982, 769 Rottweilers have participated in fatal or disfiguring attacks on 385 children and 242 adults, killing 119 people [19%] of their victims and disfiguring 454.
One of the significant reasons why Rottweilers are known to be aggressive dogs is their whole history of being bred to protect cattle and people.
7. Boxer
This breed is distinct from those that originated in Germany in the late 19th century. It was bred for hunting and working purposes.
Boxers are strong, stubborn and can pull hard on their leash if they want something. They are comparatively smaller dogs.
This large breed has been responsible for 64 attacks on humans.
These dogs have a bite force rate of 230 pounds per square inch.
They were initially bred as fighting, hunting, and guard dogs, so they have the capacity to be aggressive within their DNA.
I recommend having them as a family pet if you know how to train and handle them, as they are dangerous.
8. Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinscher is a type of working dog developed in Apolda, Germany.
These are compactly built dogs, muscular, fast, and powerful. They are 24 to 28 inches at the shoulder.
The body is sleek but substantial and is covered with a glistering black, blue, red, or fawn coat with rusting markings.
Doberman pinschers were bred to be protectors and used as fighting dogs. They are instinctually much more protective than they are offensive or aggressive.
Since 1982, Doberman Pinschers has been responsible for 23 attacks, including 12 child victims and eight deaths.
Doberman Pinscher dog breeds have a bite force rate of around 305 pounds per square inch, and their small, sharp jaws allow this dog breed to bite someone in rapid succession.
Dogs With the Strongest Bite Force Rate
1. Kangal Shepherd
The Kangal is a large livestock guarding dog which was originally bred in Sivas in Central Turkey.
This rare breed was used to guard flocks of sheep from wolves, jackals, and even bears.
They are massive canines and have strong protective instincts.
Dog bite statistics show that The Kangals have a strong bite force of 743 pounds per square inch, the undisputed king of the canine world regarding raw power.
They have the highest bite force rate compared to other dog breeds, making Kangals hazardous.
2. Turkmen Alabai
Turkmen dog-Alabama is a beautiful and courageous animal. Its origin was in the nomadic tribes of Central Asia.
This breed is from the Mollosser family, which has a history that dates back to 4000 years.
Their aggressive behavior stems from their raw strength and unpredictable nature; they should not be homed to children or other animals.
This dangerous breed has a bite force of 500 to 650 pounds per square inch and backs up its bark if threatened.
For many years it has helped Turkmen Shepherds safeguard flocks of cattle in heavy conditions of sandy deserts.
3. Presa Canario
The Presa Canario is a Spanish breed that’s a giant Mastiff or catch dog type.
The Presa Canario, also known as the Perro de Presa Canario, has a calm appearance and attentive expression.
This breed is large, stubborn, and aloof, combined with a 540 pounds per square inch bite force.
This dangerous breed is known to be a good guard dog.
Over time, Presa Canario was responsible for 111 dog bite incidents. This includes 18 deaths and 63 injuries that caused permanent disfigurement.
This moderately large dog has a rectilinear profit and black mask, making it robust and well-proportioned.
4. Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff’s body is large, powerful, square looking, and known to be powerful dogs.
The coat hair is tiny and easy to maintain; coat colors may be fawn, reddish-brown, or brindle.
A large male bullmastiff breed ranges from 25 to 27 inches and weighs 110 to 130 pounds.
The Bullmastiff is also called the gamekeeper’s night dog because of its practical purpose.
It was bred to guard against poachers who threatened gameland in England.
These most dangerous dogs were trained to track poachers until they were close enough to dart toward the intruders.
This research shows that Bullmastiff killed 6 people. The breed was also responsible for 111 bodily harm.
Bullmastiffs are generally mild-mannered and docile, but they can become vicious dogs once aroused and aggressive with other male dogs and strangers. They have a bite force rate of 556 pounds per square inch.
5. Tosa Inu
This new breed originates from Japan and is also called as Japanese Mastiff.
They are, by nature, observant of other dogs and may behave aggressively toward dogs it considers intruders.
The Tosa Inu is a dangerous dog breed bred for dog fighting.
It has a bite force rate of 556 pounds per square inch.
They have a short, dense coat which could be fawn, red, apricot, black, or brindle, and they can have white markings on their chest and feet.
Would you believe that this dangerous breed is banned in the U.K. due to its ability as a fighting dog?
Causes of Aggressive Behavior
One of the primary reasons why dogs tend to attack is due to predatory aggression.
Many dogs have an instinct to hunt; this could lead to dog bites and attacks.
When dogs tend to have predatory aggression, they will not give you any warning signs before the attack. What dangerous behavior could that be?
Another reason your furry friend may attack is when they are highly frustrated. The level of frustration could vary upon each dog, often shown through behaviors such as jumping up, barking, mouthing, or pawing at a person, another dog, or an object.
Most first-time dog owners complain about how their dog’s behavior changes due to frustration.
Fear is another primary reason why dogs turn out to be aggressive. When dogs are afraid, they sometimes act aggressively to prepare themselves to fight or attack.
Some dogs may turn out to be aggressive when they have socialization issues. For this to be avoided, your pet needs to be trained in a friendly manner and not be caged constantly.
There can be dogs who may have a traumatic past which could trigger them when you don’t do any harm or cause any disturbance to them. This could be a reason why they tend to attack.
You can prevent aggressiveness using a shock collar made for aggressive dogs. And read our guide to train your dog using a shock collar.
Advice for Keeping a Friendly Dog
This advice can be applied by new dog owners and those who are not just new dog owners.
Any dog breed can be excellent pets if they receive the proper training. Your dog will be easier to control in many situations when you train and discipline them appropriately.
Training makes a dog obedient to its owner, which reduces the likelihood that it may cause fatal attacks.
Ensure you aren’t the source of a new dog’s triggers, such as the smell of food or even objects that dogs and dangerous breeds can be afraid of.
Additionally, be careful not to approach a dog when it shows agitation or irritation. Dogs and other pets are included in this.
Your attitude and actions may also influence the dog’s behavior. For pets to stay calm and collected, adopt a positive and relaxed approach towards them. Your actions can even calm down dangerous dog breeds.
Please be consistent with your routines as a dog owner. Feed, teach, and adequately exercise your pet since dogs like routine. Start training them at a young age.
Expose your dog progressively to things that make them anxious or fearful if you suspect they have a fear. This will help them feel more at ease. If this isn’t done, they might attack even if they have a slight fear instinct.
Remember the leash and muzzles while taking your dog for a walk so that you can prevent potential attacks on humans, small children, and other animals.
Dogs are known for their protective nature, unlike other animals. Thus it’s essential to avoid making them overly possessive.
As a dog owner, keep your dog away from small children until your dog’s training is ultimately done to a point where your breeds are responsible for any fatal attacks.
It is mostly the male dogs who are responsible for dog bite injury and most fatal attacks.
FAQs
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding and managing canine aggression are paramount for safe interaction. Responsible ownership, proper training, and early socialization can mitigate potential risks.
Each breed mentioned carries distinct traits shaped by history and genetics. Remember, a well-trained and cared-for dog, regardless of breed, can greatly minimize the likelihood of aggressive behavior.
Was this article helpful?
