Dogs are known to be man’s best friend, and there’s a good reason for that. They offer the best kind of companionship, protection, and loyalty to their beloved owners. But, letting aside the love and care for the sake of this conversation, it’s also worth remembering that they are still animals, and they still have a certain element of unpredictability at times.
And that at the end of the day, some breeds are more prone to aggressive behavior than others, which would ultimately lead to serious injury and possibly even death. Some of us have seen the devastating effects of dog attacks. In this article, we will mention the top 10 dog breeds that are most likely to attack.
Pit bulls
Pit bulls are hands-down one of the most controversial breeds when it comes to aggression. Even if they have a loving nature, especially towards their owners, they still have a history of being used and bred for fighting, which has led to their overly aggressive tendencies.
In fact, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, pit bulls are at fault for a wide number of fatal attacks every single year. According to a report by DogsBite.org, pit bulls were responsible for 66% of all dog-bite-related deaths in the United States between 2005 and 2020.
Rottweilers
Rottweilers were initially bred as guard dogs and had a strong instinct to protect their owners. But they can become quite aggressive towards strangers and many other animals, especially if they aren’t properly trained and don’t have enough time to socialize.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rottweilers are at fault for a wide number of fatal dog attacks every single year. According to a more recent report by DogsBite.org, a national dog bite victims’ group, Rottweilers were to blame for 10.5% of all dog bite fatalities in the United States between 2005 and 2020.
As the percentage of fatalities attributed to Rottweilers decreased over time, they are still a breed that could potentially pose a danger if they’re not properly trained and socialized.
German shepherds
German Shepherds are also known for their unquestionable loyalty and intelligence, which makes them very popular as police and military dogs. But they can still be aggressive, especially if they perceive a threat to their owner or even their territory. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, German Shepherds are responsible for many fatal dog attacks that occur on a yearly basis.
Doberman Pinschers
Initially, Doberman Pinschers were bred as guard dogs. That’s because they have a natural instinct to protect their owners. They are extremely intelligent, loyal, and obedient, but they can display aggressive behavior if they’re not properly trained and aren’t given enough time to socialize. Doberman Pinschers seem to be at fault for a significant number of fatal dog attacks on a yearly basis.
Chow Chows
Chow-chows are very well-known for their thick fur and blue-black tongue. They are extremely loyal and will instinctively protect you from anyone who tries to harm you. However, this also comes with a dash of aggressiveness towards strangers or any other animal, especially if they’re not properly trained and don’t spend enough time socializing. According to the CDC, Chow Chows are responsible for a wide number of fatal dog attacks every year.
Boxers
Boxers are quite energetic and playful, but they can still become aggressive towards other types of animals, especially if they’re not properly trained and socialized. As the CDC explained, boxers are responsible for a wide number of fatal dog attacks every single year.
Siberian Huskies
Siberian Huskies are well known for their amazing coat and striking blue eyes. They are also very loyal and affectionate towards their owners, but they can also become quite aggressive towards strangers or any other animals if not properly trained and socialized. As the CDC stated, Siberian huskies are at fault for a significant number of fatal dog attacks every single year.
Dalmatians
Dalmatians are probably one of the most interesting dog breeds because of their distinctive spotted coat and friendly personalities. But they can also become quite aggressive if they’re not properly trained and socialized. According to the CDC, Dalmatians are also responsible for a wide number of fatal dog attacks every year.
Alaskan Malamutes
Alaskan Malamutes are very loved for their fuzzy personalities and thick fur. They are also very strong-built. They are very loyal and affectionate towards their owners, but they can also become quite aggressive towards strangers or any other animals if they’re not properly trained and socialized. According to the CDC, Alaskan Malamutes are at fault for a wide number of fatal dog attacks every single year.
Great Danes
Great Danes are one of the largest dog breeds and are also well-known for their gentle and quite friendly nature. Even so, if they ever feel threatened or slightly provoked, they can turn super aggressive towards humans and other animals. According to the CDC, Great Danes are at fault for a significant number of fatal dog attacks every year.
What to do if a dog attacks you
Dog attacks can represent some of the most traumatic experiences. In some cases, they’re even life-threatening, causing injuries like deep puncture wounds, lacerations, and even infections. If you or someone you know is attacked by a dog, it’s very important to take immediate action and follow a couple of steps:
Seek medical attention right away.
If you or someone you know has been hurt or attacked by a dog, you need to seek medical attention right away. Even the slightest bites could cause serious infections, and deep puncture wounds or lacerations could require stitches or even surgery. If the injuries are very bad or even life-threatening, you need to call 911 or even go to the nearest emergency room.
Report the incident to local authorities.
After you seek medical attention, it’s very important to report the incident to any local animal control authority, police, or even the sheriff’s department or a health department. They are responsible for further investigating the incident and determining if the dog has a long history of aggression.
They also need to make sure that the animal is properly quarantined and monitored for different signs of rabies or any other diseases. Reporting the incident could also help prevent future attacks and hold the owner accountable for their pet’s behavior.
Document the incident.
If you are considering whether or not you should take legal action against the owner of the dog, it’s very important to document the incident as well as you can. This could also include taking photos of your injuries, collecting various contact information from any witnesses, and even keeping all medical records related to the incident.
The more information you have on hand about the attack, the stronger your case will be if you decide to pursue any kind of legal action.
Now, we don’t want to tarnish the reputation of these breeds. I had a Rottweiler that was the purest angel on earth. This doesn’t mean that all these dog breeds are inherently aggressive, as at the end of the day, it all comes down to proper training!
If you found this article useful, we also recommend checking: Dog Personality: 6 Sings Your Pup’s Unique
