As dog bites become more frequent in the United States, the question of which dog breeds pose the biggest risk to people has become even more important. With around 4.5 million Americans getting bitten by dogs each year, you can see why so many people want to know the answer to this question. Knowing the risks that come with each breed can help future dog owners choose the breed that is right for them. Understanding breed-specific risks can also help communities come up with the right safety measures.
The Statistical Reality of Dangerous Dog Breeds
A recent look at dog bite data from 2021-2023 has shown some interesting patterns in breed-specific cases. What is the most dangerous dog breed? According to a three-year study that looked at bite incidents, severity rates, and deaths, found that pit bulls are statistically the most dangerous breed. They scored 90 out of 100 on a comprehensive danger scale and were responsible for more than 26% of all reported dog bites in the US, even though they make up a much smaller percentage of the total dog population.
The study found that pit bulls were responsible for 579 reported bites and 61 fatalities over the three-year study period, which is much higher than any other breed. What makes these numbers so concerning is that only 17.10% of the pit bulls involved were properly vaccinated, and 21.59% of their attacks caused severe injuries that required advanced medical treatment.
Understanding the Risks of Pit Bulls
Are pit bulls dangerous dogs? The evidence strongly suggests that pit bulls are more dangerous than other breeds. Through selective breeding, pit bulls have developed amazing jaw strength and a distinctive “hold and shake” bite style designed to inflict maximum damage. This bite style was sought after for fighting pits as it causes serious damage to bone and muscle. And, it often results in permanent and disfiguring injuries.
The pit bull’s combination of physical capabilities and behavioral tendencies has made them the breed of choice for criminals involved in drug trafficking, illegal firearms, and gang activities. Their selectively bred traits, like jaw strength, punishing bite style, tenacity, and high pain tolerance are why pits are used in various criminal activities.
The Top 10 Most Dangerous Dog Breeds
Shepherds, but NOT German Shepherds came in second with a danger score of 57.17. Shepherds are responsible for 227 incidents and 10.48% of all reported bites. Particularly concerning though was their vaccination rate of just 9.25%, it is the lowest among all of the breeds studied.
Boxers claimed the third position, even though they were only involved in a total of 39 incidents. Their high ranking is because of the severity of their attacks—25.64% of boxer bites resulted in severe injuries, which is the highest percentage among the top three breeds. Their low vaccination rate of 17.95% makes bite victims even more at risk for health problems.
Rottweilers with 51 incidents came in fourth, but with 7 deaths the death rate is higher than the top three breeds. German Shepherds rounded out the top five with 252 incidents, which is the second-highest total after pit bulls. However, they rank fifth because they only had 2 deaths. This low number of deaths suggests their bites, while frequent, are typically less severe.
The remaining breeds in the top 10 include Australian Cattle Dogs, Cane Corsos, Doberman Pinschers, Mastiffs, and surprisingly, Labrador Retrievers. The fact that Labs were included shows that even traditionally “family-friendly” breeds can be dangerous. Labs accounted for 136 incidents recorded during the study period.
Specialized Dangerous Breeds: International Perspectives
Are Dogo Argentino dangerous? The Dogo Argentino breed has a long history of fighting and hunting, making them one of the harder breeds to train. These dogs are naturally aggressive because of what they were bred for, so they require a lot of socialization and training from experienced owners. Their ability to cause significant harm has led many countries, including Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Turkey, to ban or restrict ownership of this breed.
With their protective instincts and territorial nature undersocialized Dogo Argentinos can become extremely dangerous. While these dogs are not naturally evil or aggressive, but if their owners fail to properly train and socialize them, these powerful dogs can turn into a serious threat to the public.
Are Kangal dogs dangerous? The Kangal Shepherd Dog has a different risk profile. While not typically aggressive, these dogs are extremely territorial and will do everything they can to protect their terriority. Known as one of the world’s strongest dog breeds, Kangals are known as being the only breed capable of defeating wolves in a fight.
Their protective instincts go beyond livestock and typically include children and elderly family members. However, because of their size, strength, and territorial nature, they need to be handled by people who know what they are doing. Proper socialization is also necessary to prevent incidents with strangers or perceived threats.
Exotic and Hybrid Dangers
Are wolf dogs dangerous? Wolf-dog hybrids are a very complicated animal and are considered very dangerous. Thanks to their wild heritage and unpredictable behavior patterns, animal welfare groups including the Humane Society of the United States, RSPCA, and the IUCN Species Survival Commission consider wolfdogs unsuitable as pets. They also fully support international bans on private ownership.
Currently, 40 states in the US prohibit the ownership, breeding, and importation of wolfdogs, while all other states have very strict regulations. Their genetic makeup differs from one animal to another, which makes their behavior unpredictable. And their wild instincts can come out of nowhere, making them an unsuitable choice for a family pet.
Are Akita dogs dangerous? Akitas are considered to be a very dangerous dog because of how territorial they are and they always want to be in charge. Research done in Poland found that Akitas were the most aggressive breed towards other dogs, with 59% of them displaying aggression towards other animals. Additionally, 13% of them showed aggression toward people, making them the second most likely breed to be aggressive towards people.
The breed’s territorial instincts are pretty strong, with 70% of their attacks on people being when the dogs were in their own territory. Their large size, independent nature, and dominant personality require experienced owners who can provide proper training and socialization.
Important Things to Consider Besides the Breed
While breed-specific data provides valuable insights into how dangerous a dog is, there are several other factors that contribute to the danger level. Vaccination rates for dangerous breeds are still really low, which puts bite victims at even more risk of getting sick. The three-year study we used for our information shows that the most dangerous breeds consistently had the lowest vacation rates, which increases the risk of their victims contracting a preventable disease.
Training and socialization play important roles in determining a dog’s behavior. A lot of problems involving dangerous breeds can be traced back to improper training, poor socialization, or inappropriate living conditions. Taking care of your pet, including proper training, socialization, and veterinary care, can actually lower the risks that come with any breed.
The data clearly shows that certain breeds pose statistically higher risks to the safety of the public. Even though each dog is different, the patterns that show up across large datasets provide valuable information for any potential owners, communities developing breed-specific legislation, and people who want to understand the various risks that come with owning any kind of dog. The key is to be aware of these risks and encourage responsible ownership practices that can help reduce the risks that come with owning powerful and potentially aggressive breeds.
