A broad analysis of dog breeds by the CDC in the mid-1990s revealed that Pit Bull was involved in 60 incidents of attack between 1979 and 1996.
Rottweiler was the second most aggressive with 29, while German shepherd came third with 19 incidents.
A more recent study by DogsBite suggested that during the 15 years between 2005 and 2019, canines killed 521 Americans. Pit Bulls and Rottweilers contributed to 76% of those deaths, 346 and 51 attacks, respectively.
Studies of fatal interactions between canines and humans have been mostly (if not all) controversial, given the myriad of possible circumstances in the incidents.
Similar to a lot of other animals, dogs can be aggressive when threatened or provoked. Unlike most animals, dogs also tend to protect their handlers from harm or potentially dangerous attention, hence aggression.
The following breeds are often considered aggressive or dangerous, but it does not mean they can’t be trained to be friendly and loving pets.
10 /10 Pitbull
The term “pit bull” is not a breed but a nickname or heterogeneous grouping for several actual breeds, including the American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bully, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and occasionally American Bulldog.
Because they were originally bred for dog fighting and bull-baiting, sometimes even modern-day pit bulls still display their ancestry’s aggressive behaviors.
When they do get aggressive, they attack with remarkable ferocity. Proper training and socialization are required to overcome the breed’s tendency toward aggression.
9 /10 Rottweiler
In many Rottweiler attack cases, the breed’s aggressive behaviors are usually the result of neglect, abuse, irresponsible ownership, or lack of training and socialization.
Any attack can lead to serious harm or death to the victim because Rottweiler is a powerful dog with well-developed guarding and herding instincts.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Rottweilers are protective of their territory and reluctant to welcome strangers until properly introduced.
These dogs love their owners and behave in a clownish manner around family, yet obedience training remains essential.