Even though dogs are considered man’s best friend, that tune can change quickly when these animals attack a human being.
The truth is, any dog can attack you. From the 6-pound Chihuahua to the 180-pound Saint Bernard, no dog breed comes with a 100% guarantee that it will not attack. However, the vast majority of dog attacks come from dogs that have not been well socialized.
This means that an improperly-socialized Chihuahua is more likely to attack than a well-socialized Pit Bull Terrier.
So, what goes into classifying certain breeds under the “dangerous dog” banner? For starters, small dog breeds—those weighing below 20 pounds—are largely not considered dangerous. This is because regardless of how feisty or mean-spirited a Chihuahua is, it is too small to deal significant damage. A rogue Rottweiler, on the other hand, is a completely different can of worms.
With that said, not all large dogs are considered dangerous. A breed’s signature temperament is not what determines whether a large dog is dangerous or not. A dog’s temperament is determined by the purpose the dog was bred for.
As such, it should not come as a surprise that the most dangerous dog breeds consist primarily of fighting and guard dogs, as traits such as aggression, resilience, and gameness were heavily favored when designing these breeds.
The following are the most dangerous dog breeds in the world. Keep away from these if you are a first-time dog owner.
The Top 10 Most Dangerous Dog Breeds:
1. American Pit Bull Terrier
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If you ask a responsible Pit Bull owner whether their dog is dangerous, they will tell you that it is a misconception and that Pit Bulls are the sweetest dogs in the world. However, most Pit Bull parents forget that proper socialization is what molded their pooch into a gentle soul.
As a breed, Pit Bulls are the most dangerous dogs walking God’s green earth, and for a few reasons.
Pits can pose a substantial threat to those around them because many were selectively bred for dogfighting. As such, traits such as aggression and tenacity were highly favored and run in this breed’s blood.
Moreover, Pit Bulls have the most lethal bite style of all dogs, holding, shaking viciously, and refusing to let go. This explains why most Pit Bull attacks result in gruesome injuries or even death.
2. Rottweilers
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The Rottweiler is renowned for its extreme bouts of aggression. Unfortunately, their fearsome reputation is not without merit, as an unhinged Rottweiler is an absolute terror.
However, The Vets point out that Rottweilers are incredibly calm and docile around their family. Their mean streak only surfaces when an unfamiliar individual is around them or their loved ones. It makes sense since Rottweilers were bred to be guard dogs.
As such, early socialization is crucial for Rottweilers.
3. Dogo Argentino
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Also known as the Argentinian Mastiff, the Dogo Argentino is one of the few dogs that can give Pit Bulls a run for their money when it comes to sheer aggressiveness and tenacity. In fact, this breed is considered so dangerous that it is banned in multiple countries, including Australia, Singapore, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
The Dogo Argentino was bred to hunt big game and protect its family. As you can imagine, traits such as aggressiveness, gameness, and raw, unbridled power were highly favored when designing this breed, which is why you must socialize them early to keep those traits in check.
4. Doberman Pinscher
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There is a reason why movies typically use Doberman Pinschers when they want to cast a fearsome dog; the intimidation factor in this breed is really strong.
The Doberman Pinscher not only looks the part but also plays the part, as it is one of the most aggressive dog breeds in the world. However, Dobermans can be remarkably sweet to their family, as they were bred to be guard dogs.
Nonetheless, the Doberman’s immense loyalty is what makes it so dangerous to other people, as this dog will not hesitate to attack anything it perceives as a threat to its kin. As such, Dobermans require proper socialization and a confident, assertive handler since they will take matters into their own jaws if they detect uncertainty in you.
5. Akita
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Strong-willed, powerful, and with a need for independence, the Akita is not a dog for amateurs. Due to the Akita’s dominant personality, this dog is always looking to become the pack leader. This is why it is not an ideal breed for first-time dog owners.
Even after establishing your position as pack leader, the Akita cannot fathom the idea of coming second to another dog. This trait makes Akitas highly territorial and aggressive to other dogs and people outside of their family.
Therefore, you will need to be vigilant when your Akita is around unfamiliar people or dogs.
The dog is also extremely protective of its food, reacting aggressively to anyone who comes close while it is eating. Fortunately, Akitas make excellent pets with proper training and socialization.
6. Gull Dong
The Gull Dong is among the rarest dog breeds in the world, and with good reason; they do not make good family pets. This Pakistani dog breed’s grumpy attitude makes it highly unpredictable—these dogs have been known to even turn on their owners. They are also difficult to train.
Before you judge the Gull Dong too harshly, you should know that it was bred to be a fighting and hunting dog, meaning aggression and tenacity were highly favored traits when creating the breed.
7. Perro de Presa Canario
To be fair, the Perro de Presa Canario is not aggressive by nature. Owing to their impressive size and intelligence, Perro de Presa Canarios are incredibly calm and self-assured, which is why they make excellent guard dogs.
However, when a Perro de Presa Canario is around unfamiliar people or animals, it becomes a danger. This breed is not only extremely suspicious of strangers but also has an exceedingly high prey drive. As such, it can attack without warning, causing great damage.
Therefore, early training and socialization are necessary for Perro de Presa Canarios. Moreover, this dog requires lots of exercise and stimulation to prevent destructive behaviors.
8. Tosa Inu
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The Tosa Inu is another rare breed due to the nasty reputation that precedes it. Tosa Inus are native to Japan, where they were bred as fighting dogs.
Most Tosa Inus are unhinged, to say the least, as cases of these dogs turning on their owners are common. It also does not help that the Tosa Inu has one of the most powerful jaws in the canine kingdom.
As you can imagine, they do not make good family dogs.
9. Chow Chow
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The Chow Chow might look like an overgrown teddy bear; however, this dog is anything but that when it comes to personality. Chows Chows are not only dangerous but also ready and willing to demand your respect at any cost.
These dogs have been known to turn on their owners simply because they do not feel like doing what is being asked of them.
Chows Chows are also lazy and can be irritable and intolerant of strangers. As you can imagine, this breed requires an owner with a strong, calm, and assertive personality; otherwise, it will walk all over any other kind of personality.
10. Cane Corso
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To cap off this list, we have the Cane Corso. This beast of a dog was bred for fighting and catching mountain lions and boars. Think about that for a second; the Cane Corso was bred to catch other predators! If that is not the epitome of a dangerous dog, we do not know what is.
Nonetheless, their fearsome looks and reputation notwithstanding, Cane Corsos make excellent family pets. This is because the Cane Corso is self-confident, meaning that it does not feel the need to throw its weight around. Nonetheless, early socialization is necessary.
Conclusion
There you have it, 10 of the most dangerous dog breeds on the planet today. However, for the most part, most of these breeds make excellent companions with proper training and socialization. Nonetheless, we still would not recommend these breeds to first-time owners due to their unpredictability.
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Featured Image Credit: everydoghasastory, Shutterstock
