The 10 Riskiest Dog Breeds for 2022
Key Ideas
Because they were raised to hunt or fight for many generations, some dog breeds continue to be more aggressive.
Many aggressive dogs are affectionate with their families, but guests must be appropriately welcomed and socialized early on.
Each year, 4 million people are bitten by dogs.
Even though we usually keep dogs as pets, it's crucial to bear in mind that they originally sprang from wolves.
Dogs may have been domesticated, but they are still animals. Additionally, a lot of them were developed for aggressive uses, like home defense and hunting. That 4 million people are bitten by dogs annually is not surprising. In light of the breeds that bite most frequently as well as those that are responsible for the most fatal assaults, we came up with a list of the most dangerous dog breeds for this year.
You can assess the danger of owning or being near dog breeds that could be hazardous to you using this list of violent dog breeds.
What Threatens the Most Dangerous Dog Breeds?
Not all dangerous dog breeds are also the most aggressive. Even though the chihuahua breed can be extremely aggressive and possessive, it is not particularly hazardous. After all, the dog typically weighs less than 10 pounds, so it doesn't pose a threat to people.
Instead, we have concentrated on compiling a list of dogs that have the physical size to be dangerous as well as the potential for aggressive behavior based on the reason for which they were bred. In other words, these are the most dangerous dog breeds because of their propensity for violence and their capacity to endanger humans or other animals.
Why Do Certain Dog Breeds Attack More Frequently?
Although it is possible to socialize dogs in the home to be loving and gentle, a domesticated animal will always have a wilder side. Because they have been selectively bred for millennia to be ferocious hunters, some dog breeds continue to be more aggressive. Others were saved from environments where they had been socialized to be vicious, such as fighting dog environments.
Additionally, not every type of housing is suitable for a dog. According to studies, some vicious dogs were raised by psychopathic individuals who then had a negative influence on the dogs and caused bad outcomes.
Things go wrong when a dog with issues is exposed to young children, other animals, or individuals who can't properly handle animals.
The breed of a dog is one factor that affects its tendency for aggression, but it is a crucial one that cannot and should not be disregarded.
The ten most dangerous breeds of dogs in 2022
It is necessary to look at which dogs were accountable for the biggest number of fatal bites over time to identify the most dangerous dog breeds for 2022. We have prepared a list of violent dog breeds that are most likely to murder a person, making them the most hazardous breeds, using data from 2005 to 2017.
We may infer the dog breeds that will continue to be the deadliest in 2021 by comparing this knowledge with data on fatal attacks during that year.
1. One Pit Bull
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| Pit bulls are affectionate creatures, but they are the breed of dog most likely to be fatally mauled. |
The pit bull is the most dangerous dog breed, even though this shouldn't come as a surprise to most people who research dangerous dog breeds. The study mentioned earlier found that over 13 years, 284 fatalities—or roughly 2/3 of all dog attacks in the US—were caused by pit bulls.
Considering that only 6% of all dogs in the US are pit bulls, that is a fairly depressing number. It is not surprising that these canines still pose a threat today because they have been raised to be deadly for centuries as fighting and hunting dogs.
Pit bulls' enormous size (weighing up to 80 pounds), powerful jaws, and strong killer instincts make them the most dangerous dog breed. A pit bull is unbeatable by both people and other animals. However, many individuals who own loving pit bulls as pets maintain that these animals are only a reflection of their upbringing.
2. Rat Terrier
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| Both as guard dogs and hunters, Rottweilers excel. |
Rottweilers were frequently regarded as the most dangerous dog breed in the world before pit bulls gained notoriety as hazardous animals. These dogs can reach a height of 25 inches and a weight of 120 pounds or more while remaining in good health.
They have bulky bodies and a temperament that occasionally becomes aggressive. In particular, the dog will develop a strong sense of loyalty and protection for the people who live in its home, but not for outsiders.
Being strong, devoted, and protective, Rottweilers can be dangerous when they attack intruders. Although they pose no threat to the family, Rottweilers are frequently very aggressive when defending their owners.
The rottweiler was involved in 45 fatal attacks during the same period that we discussed with the pit bull, accounting for 10% of all fatal attacks that were reported in the United States during that time. Additionally, Rottweilers have a terrible bite that they are skilled at using to devastating effect.
3. German Sheepdog
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| The German Shepherd is frequently employed as a military and law enforcement dog. |
German Shepherds are working dogs that have recently been used by police departments and militaries. The reasons behind this decision are clear: these dogs are strong, clever, dangerous, and capable of attacking humans fatally.
The German Shepherd breed, which averages 90 pounds and stands over 2 feet tall, excels at containing threats from people. A potent instrument has been produced as a result of generational breeding into working dogs.
Unfortunately, German shepherds are one of the most violent and territorial dog breeds, and they were responsible for 20 fatalities (or 5% of all dog bite deaths) and numerous non-fatal biting episodes. The fact that this breed is very trainable is the only bright spot in this situation.
4. Fourth American Bulldog
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| American Bulldogs are more powerful than many other dogs and have a high level of energy. |
The American bulldog, unlike its British cousins, is still a strong working dog that has not been overbred to the point of being worthless. These canines can put on muscle and weigh over 100 lbs., standing little around 30 inches tall. They are large, powerful dogs that are quite dangerous when they charge.
American bulldogs caused 15 fatalities throughout the 13-year research or about 3.5% of all fatal assaults. Even though that is a small amount, it is noteworthy given that this breed is not frequently listed alongside some of the other hazardous canines.
Without a doubt, this breed is capable of jumping high enough and hard enough to knock an adult flat on its back.
5. Bullmastiff
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| Bullmastiffs are large, strong dogs that can become territorial. |
The Bullmastiff breed is regarded highly as a pet because they are devoted, vigilant, and fearless. They will defend your house and yard, but it's essential to teach them early on that visitors aren't welcome, as this will help prevent attacks.
Bullmastiff attacks are relatively uncommon, but because of their size, the harm they cause when they do to a person or another animal is significant. They can weigh up to 130 pounds and are at least 27 inches tall.
Just 14 deaths, or 3.2% of all fatal attacks that happened throughout the study's 13-year period, were attributable to these dogs. The dog is dangerous, though, when you take into account how uncommon it is in the United States.
6. Russian Husky
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| A sturdy working dog with a strong bite, the Siberian husky. |
Siberian Huskies are prized for looking like wolves. It shouldn't come as a huge surprise to you that canines that resemble wild animals also act somewhat like them.
In the most remote areas of Canada and the United States, huskies were utilized as sled dogs. They only weigh 60 pounds, but despite their small size, they are powerful and independent animals. Catching prey is a significant source of motivation for these dogs. They can perceive people and most other smaller animals as potential prey.
Their survival instincts in this situation are what cause them the greatest difficulties. In the study we cited, huskies were involved in 3% of all attacks that resulted in fatalities. Despite being friendly the majority of the time, these animals have been known to attack children and adults who challenge them, even when they have no prior aggression.
7. Labrador retrievers
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| Labrador retrievers attack when they feel threatened. |
A hunting dog bred to work alongside people is the Labrador Retriever. They can weigh up to 80 pounds and stand just around 2 feet tall, making them pretty big dogs. Due to their reliability and popularity as family pets, labradors do not make good guard dogs.
How did Labradors end up being to blame for 2.1% of all deaths in the study? The majority of the time, people assume that the Labrador is protecting its home or even its food. When humans try to correct their dog's behavior, they can unintentionally back them into a corner and threaten the dog.
In either case, Labradors are not particularly vicious animals, but they can knock people over or give people very bad bites.
8. Boxer
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| Boxers have an absurd appearance, but they are powerful dogs who dislike strangers. |
Boxers are fascinating creatures because, while having extremely ridiculous appearances, they were designed to be working dogs. These energetic canines can weigh up to 80 pounds and have a lot of muscle.
Boxers may be very difficult, which is understandable given their physical prowess and protective temperament. The dog is capable of attacking if something happens nearby that the dog perceives as frightening from a person they don't trust.
Although boxers have only been responsible for 7 fatal bites in recent years, they are also prone to non-fatal bites. You should only get this breed if you are experienced with handling and training dogs, just like with other dangerous breeds.
9. Doxie Pinscher
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| Doberman Pinschers were once common as guard and police dogs, and thus have a reputation for being intimidating and aggressive, especially towards strangers. |
The Doberman Pinscher has a distinctive appearance that is immediately recognized because of its cropped ears, straight back and perpetually alert expression. Except for German shepherds, these animals have served as guard dogs, and they did it so well that it has nearly become a cliché.
The word "pinscher" is a German slang phrase describing the breed's propensity for attacking and biting prey. Another breed continuously improved over years of breeding is the attack dog. They should not be considered a surprise given how dangerous they are.
Approximately six fatalities and numerous incidents of biting were attributed to Doberman pinschers at the time of the study. The breed is dangerous and capable of causing serious injuries, despite not having as many fatalities as other dogs. They can weigh up to 80 pounds and are between 2 and 3 feet tall.
10 . Malamute of Alaska
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| Compared to huskies, Alaskan Malamutes are larger, stronger, and wilder. |
Last but not least, we have the Alaskan Malamute, a canine that resembles the Siberian Husky remarkably. The Alaskan Malamute is significantly larger than their wolf-life counterparts, which is the fundamental distinction. These canines are incredibly enormous and powerful, weighing up to over 90 pounds and standing 26 inches tall.
They also have a lot of energy and enjoy bouncing around and getting into trouble. Unfortunately, these dogs are not known for complying with their owners' demands, therefore they need to be well-educated from an early age.
Due to their strong bite and readiness to use it against people, Alaskan Malamutes are still considered dangerous dogs even though they have only been involved in 4 fatalities.
Mixed breed dogs are another deadly dog breed that we may have included on this list.
They accounted for a sizable portion of the fatal bites reported throughout the years, but it is difficult to add to a "mixed breed" group since it is unknown what exactly makes up the breed.
Based simply on the number of humans they have killed and the frequency of their attacks, these ten dog breeds are the most dangerous ones available. They pose a threat not only because of what they are doing but also because they can wreak such awful harm.
Last Words Regarding the Most Dangerous Dog Breeds
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Last Words Regarding the Most Dangerous Dog Breeds |
- Sex (males are more likely to bite)
- neutered or spayed (unneutered or un-spayed dogs are more aggressive and territorial)
- Fence hostility
- approaching dogs you don't know
These are all elements that might play a role in a dog-biting incident. Although it may be easy to attribute a dog's assault on someone solely to its breed, other factors also play a role.
Although the breeds of dogs we've identified here are sufficiently dangerous that owners must take extra measures, that doesn't mean they are unreasonably risky to keep. Each dog is unique, but those who are raised in appropriate environments without being exposed to curious youngsters or other animals stand a decent chance of living quiet lives.
