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It’s not every day that you get bitten by a dog, but these things do happen from time to time, and many people worry about which breeds may be considered the most dangerous. However, it’s important to understand that any dog can bite, regardless of their breed, and this will depend on the particular situation, the dog’s temperament, previous experiences, level of socialization, and much more.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), more than 4 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States every year, and roughly 800,000 of those victims will seek medical attention.1
Reliable dog bite statistics are hard to come by, mainly because very few institutions are reliably tracking these incidents and categorizing them by breed. Therefore, we looked at a broad range of sources that gauge the likelihood of a dog breed to bite.
How We Compiled the List
To compile this list, we reviewed a list of fatalities caused by dog bites between 2005 and 2019 in the United States and a controlled study on a breed’s likelihood to bite based on their potential to be dangerous to the public.2
The controlled study took place in Northern Italy and was overseen by veterinarians and dog behaviorists.3 Eighty-seven out of the 170 dogs observed showed aggression towards humans.
The numbers and data presented may be influenced by the level of reporting, as minor bites are unlikely to be reported. They may have been caused by any dog breed, including small and toy breeds, in which case the extent of the injury is more likely to be minor. The reported bites are more likely to be severe and caused by a larger force, such as by medium and large dog breeds.
Important Note: Although the following list covers the breeds that, through reports and statistics, feature highly in terms of bite incidents, it is important to note that the dogs most likely to bite, regardless of breed, are:
- The ones that feel frightened, threatened, cornered, or in pain.
- Those who were not given adequate socialization when they were young.
- Those who have been taught to expect pain, punishment, and mistreatment from humans.
- Those who have not been shown how to appropriately interact with people.
Any dog of any breed can bite under the right (or wrong) conditions, but the following breeds have been identified as the dogs that bite the most.
The 8 Dog Breeds More Likely to Bite Humans
1. Pit Bull/Pit Bull Type Breeds
Pit Bulls and Pit Bull types are often the first breed people think of when it comes to biting humans. Over the recorded 14-year period in the U.S., this breed type caused 346 fatalities. It is important to note that Pit Bulls are an umbrella term that refers to a group of breeds that share similar characteristics rather than one breed on its own. Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldogs, and Bull Terriers are a few breeds that can get lumped into the Pit Bull category.
In the Italian study, nine out of the 87 dogs that showed aggression toward humans were Pit Bull types (Pit Bulls and American Pit Bulls), while seven were American Staffordshire Terriers.
There is a difference in breed recognition and definition of Pit Bull breeds between countries, and the American Kennel Club does not currently recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier as a breed.
2. Mixed Breeds/Crossbreeds
In the Italian study, mixed breeds made up 27.6% of aggressive tendencies towards humans (24 dogs out of 87). Of course, a mixed-breed dog can be almost anything, including a combination of the aforementioned breeds on this list. Mixed-breeds had the second highest death rate in 2019 in the U.S., being involved in 6 deaths. However, attacks caused by multiple dog breeds were classed as mixed breed attacks, indicating that several different breeds participated, and Pit Bull breeds participated in 50% of these mixed-breed attacks.
3. Rottweiler
The next dog on our list is the Rottweiler. In the dog bite fatality stat compilation, Rottweilers fatally killed 51 people over that 14-year period. In the Italian study, six Rotties showed aggression towards humans.
Rottweilers are large, strong dogs bred to be cattle protection dogs. Over the years, their protective instincts have made them branch out as police dogs, personal protectors, search-and-rescue dogs, guide dogs, and much more. Like any dog breed, Rottweilers can be family pets with consistent and proper training using positive reinforcement and early socialization. You should also ensure that all interactions with children and other pets are closely supervised. These precautions will reduce the chances of aggression or attacks against humans.
4. German Shepherd
It is probably not surprising to see German Shepherds on this list. These dogs are often used as police dogs in several countries and have quite a powerful bite force of 360.4 Newtons.4 The Italian study showed that 11 German Shepherds showed aggression toward humans. This breed was also responsible for 2 fatalities.
5. Mastiff
There are several Mastiff varieties, such as Tibetan Mastiff, English Mastiff, South African Mastiff (Boerboel), Neapolitan Mastiffs, Bullmastiffs, and Mastiff mixes, with only a few of these recognized by the AKC. This makes the data similar to the Pit Bulls situation. However, the Mastiff-type accounted for 1 fatality in the U.S. in 2019.
6. American Bulldog
American Bulldogs were bred to fight, so it is not surprising to see them on this list. They have been the cause of 1 fatality in the U.S. in 2019. However, this breed was not included in the Italian study. The English Bulldog was, and only one showed aggression toward humans.
7. Husky
Siberian Huskies are energetic and loving when properly trained and socialized. Statistics showed that Huskies caused 1 fatality in the U.S. in 2019, while in the Italian study, one dog was found to be aggressive towards other dogs, but not humans.
8. Boxer
This is another dog breed that was bred as a bull baiter. The Boxer was featured in the study, noting that two of them showed aggression towards humans, and two of them were involved in fatal attacks on humans in the U.S. in 2019.
Other Breeds Reported in The Studies
The controlled study done in Northern Italy had some other dog breeds that showed aggression toward humans but were not included in the fatality stats. Here are those breeds that showed aggression in two to three people:
The U.S. dog bite and fatalities statistics also involved breeds like the Belgian Malinois, Coonhound, Dutch Shepherd and Great Dane, that each contributed to one death in 2019.
Conclusion
There really isn’t any reason to fear dogs just because of the breed that they are. If a dog is going to attack you, there are many underlying factors for that behavior, most of which have nothing to actually do with the breed itself. In order to help prevent dog bites, avoid startling, cornering or threatening dogs, don’t try to pet or approach dogs that you don’t know, watch for other signs of aggressiveness first, such as growling, hair standing on end, ears pinned, or a stiff stance, and move away from the dog slowly and quietly.
See Also:
- Does Your Dog Get Hangry? Vet Approved Facts & What to Do
- How Strong Is a Husky’s Bite Force? PSI Measure & Facts
Featured Image Credit: Aneta Jungerova, Shutterstock
