How Dangerous Are Small Dog Breeds?
You shouldn’t get fooled into believing that only big dogs like German Shepherds and Rottweilers can cause bite injuries. As a matter of fact, large and aggressive dogs can, in fact, cause you serious injuries, sometimes even death, mostly due to their strength and size.
Only recently, we had a case in southern California, where a poor 63-year-old woman was simply mauled by four loose pit bulls as she was out jogging. But we also had cases in the news on much smaller dogs that end up terrorizing entire communities, like large packs of Chihuahuas that have been allegedly roaming the streets of Phoenix, Arizona.
Moreover, the small dogs run in packs of 8 to 15 according to some residents, and they are making parents afraid to let their children walk to school or even play outside alone. The truth of the matter is that any size dog has the true potential to become aggressive and could ultimately cause injuries.
These small dog breeds are seen as especially prone to bad behavior, including aggression and biting. If, by chance, you encounter any of these 6 breeds, make sure you’re careful not to provoke the dog in any way. Just go about your day and know that if the dog bites you through no fault of your own, you could easily hold the owner or handler legally responsible for any injuries.
6 Responses
Being the owner of 2 Pit Bulls, I strongly disagree. They are gentle and loving to both other animals and people of all ages. It’s the owners who don’t let them socialize and train them (all it takes is to be the Alfa and like with any other dog, be consistent). It’s the owners who train to be aggressive are at fault.
It depends on how you raise them also ! We had 2 Rottweilers as puppies until age 6 and 10 with young children. Now we have a mixed breed pitbull territory and a pitbull black lab.
We have a Chiweenie (Chihuahua-Daschund). It’s a breed NOT meant for children or busy families. They’ll suit a calm, quiet, warm environment with lots of blankets and small toys where they can be the center of attention perfectly.
If you have cats, that’s not a problem. They’ll get along wonderfully with them.
Explains my mixed Chihuahua/weiner dog . She is VERY possessive when it comes to me. Never had a dog so unwilling to share me with my poodle. They are the same size and she has gotten better but when it comes time to share the bed, she scares her sister (the poodle) to death. She’ll finally let up and allows the poodle to groom her face..
My first pit bull…sweetest dog ever. My Shih tzu that passed away was the only dog that we had to put a muzzle on at the vet. My poodle that the family had was the meanest dog ever would bite a stranger..very protective.
Note , all dogs are inherently dangerous and will bite without warning . This is particularly true of smaller breeds as this is their only defence . That said , it depends more on how the dog is raised . Those raised gently with love return that love in kind . I have had three boxers that look intimidating at first appearance but are extremely loving and protective of their family , my children grew up with them and were protected by them at times in conflict with playmates and even when being scolded by an adult .
I have had two Hybrid McKenzie Wolves who were loving and gentle especially around children . Pets return the love they receive they also remember those who would abuse them . If given the option , they avoid those people , aggression is their last resort .