Dogs have been men’s loyal companions for thousands of years. However, as Spider-Man says, with great power comes great responsibility, as some dog breeds possess physical characteristics and temperamental traits that owners must be able to handle. Records show that there have been millions of dog attack cases worldwide that every dog owner should know about. Today, we’re bringing you the 10 most dangerous dog breeds you need to watch out for.
10. Cane Corso
Cane Corso is an Italian mastiff-type dog that was bred for hunting and guarding. They weigh up to 110 pounds, which is an excellent guard dog because of their strong protective instincts. While they form intense bonds with the family, they can easily be suspicious and potentially aggressive to strangers. These dogs have a high pain tolerance and a strong bite force, making them dangerous when not handled properly.
9. Kangal
Compared to other dogs in the list, Kangals aren’t as aggressive since they’re predictable and reliable. However, they hold the title for the strongest bite force among dog breeds. They were originally bred in Turkey as guard dogs to protect livestock from predators. With a bite force of 743 PSI, they are capable of crushing bones. They’re mostly gentle with the family, but they can make decisions without human input since they’re used to working alone.
8. Alaskan Malamute
An Alaskan Malamute’s size and strength make them capable of causing serious injuries when they attacks. This breed features a strong alpha mentality that can challenge its owners for pack leadership. Beware, as they can be aggressive towards other dogs. As an owner, you would need to establish firm leadership among them through exercise and mental stimulation. Otherwise, they can become aggressive when not given their needs.
7. Mastiff
While both Mastiffs and Bull Mastiffs have a calm temperament, they can drop them once they sense threats towards their families. They’re great guard dogs due to their protective instincts. If you’re getting them as a family dog, they would need early socialization to prevent them from being overly suspicious of both the family and strangers.
6. American Bulldog
American Bulldog is a familiar breed in dog bite statistics, and it’s easy to see why. Their protective instincts and territorial tendencies make them dangerous towards others. This breed was originally bred for farm work and bull-baiting from their strong and somewhat muscular build. They feature a high pain tolerance with a “grip and hold” fighting style they inherited from their ancestry. Make sure to give them proper exercise and exposure to early socialization to tame their aggressiveness.
5. Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans were originally bred in Italy to be guard dogs. Through that, they have maintained their protective instincts. While they’re highly intelligent and loyal, they can be aggressive towards perceived threats with their speed and bite force. This breed requires confident and experienced owners to handle them and provide training to lessen their aggression.
4. Presa Canario
In just a 32-year period, Presa Canarios are found to have attacked 111 people, resulting in 18 deaths and 63 incidents. They were bred in the Canary Islands to work for livestock and dog fighting. They may look calm, but they can suddenly attack when you challenge them. They have huge heads and powerful jaws, which can have an unimaginable bite force. They also feature strong territorial instincts and are easily suspicious of strangers.
3. German Shepherd
The “classic” dangerous dog will always go to the German Shepherd breed. They were originally bred for herding sheep, and now, they’re trained to be used for police and military work. German Shepherds form intense bonds with their families, which can potentially be overprotective if not trained properly. They’re intelligent and naturally wary of strangers.
2. Rottweiler
Another popular dog breed when it comes to dog attacks is the Rottweiler. These large dogs were originally bred as cattle-driving dogs that are now trained as police and guard dogs. They have a bite force of around 328 PSI. While they have a calm demeanor, they can quickly shift towards aggressiveness when they perceive harm. They require early socialization towards people and animals as they’re suspicious in nature.
1. Pit-Bull Type
Pit-Bull type dogs are dangerous enough to be responsible for about 67% of deaths. It categorizes American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. They were bred for both bull-baiting and dog fighting due to their powerful jaws. They have the ability to continue fighting despite injury or pain, as nothing is stopping them until they get the work done.