The 3 Most Aggressive Dog Breeds Revealed! – Pit Bulls? Rottweilers? You’ll Be Surprised….
With Breed Specific Legislation acts being brought forward in more and more areas across the country, dogs like Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and other “scary” looking breeds are in danger of loosing their homes and even their lives. These breeds are often touted as being extremely aggressive – however a new study released this week in the journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science provides some statistical facts on what breeds actually ARE the most aggressive – and the answers may surprise you!
Photo by Artamnesia
The study involved researchers from the University of Pennsylvania as well as 6,000 dog owners. The number one aggressive breed out of the 33 dogs surveyed? The Dachshund. Yes – the wiener dog. The study found that “one in five dachshunds have bitten or tried to bite strangers, and a similar number have attacked other dogs; one in 12 have snapped at their owners.”
Photo by This Year’s Love
Number two on the list is an even more diminutive breed – the Chihuahua, while Jack Russells came in third.
The researchers say that the bite statistics that have been released in recent years are skewed because most dog bites are not reported. Big dog bites are more likely to require medical attention, but this does not mean that those breeds are doing the majority of the biting.
One of the teams researchers, Dr. James Serpell, believes that smaller breeds may be more genetically predisposed to aggressive behavior than their larger counterparts. Serpell says, “Reported levels of aggression in some cases are concerning, with rates of bites or bite attempts rising as high as 20 per cent toward strangers and 30 per cent toward unfamiliar dogs.”
Pit Bulls and Rottweilers scored average or below average in the aggression study. Breeds that scored on the low end are Basset Hounds, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Siberian Huskies and Greyhounds.
Photo by Brokenwolf
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February 7th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I thought and heard on Discovery channel that Rottweiler are most aggressive dogs and in some countries they are now allowed as pet.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:02 pm
I recently adopted a female rottweiler. I find it amazing she is considered to be an aggressive dog. All she wants is a bit of my attention. We go to the dog park 3-4 times per week and she loves to run. She enjoys being the chaser not the chasee and she does not like to be in the middle of a pack. She greets all the other owners and dogs with love. This dog has been one of the most well behaved pets I have ever had. She is 2 and very easy to train, eager to learn.
April 14th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
The reason you may have heard that (I doubt it was the Discovery Channel, I couldn’t find anything to support that claim) is that most research into canine aggression up to now has focused on dog bites, but researchers said that data is misleading. Most dog bites aren’t reported, and because the bites of big dogs are more likely to get reported, they are generally viewed as more aggressive.
How many times have you seen a tiny breed dog lash out, snap, and even bite people? Does anyone freak and call animal control? Do people rush to the emergency room after such an incident? No, because all they see is this funny, tiny dog. If it were a large breed dog, especially one of the falsly accused “aggressive breeds”, in that situation then it would not be taken so lightly.
May 31st, 2009 at 2:00 am
For me, it is not the breed, it is the arse behind the leash, if there is a leash a’tall, that shapes a dog. My Brothers has a Jack Russell Terrier and she is a dear soul. Why? Because my Brother is a dear soul. Oh the circle of Karma! I am the proud caretaker of a Rescue American Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier and she is an amazing, loving, kind, pleasant, and caring dear soul. It is not the breed, it is the people who make the choice to do bad or choose to do good. Take Care, Happy Wagging Tails, and Happy Trails!!!
Semper Fidelis,
William
June 21st, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I get so upset when pit bulls are discriminated against. I have had a female red-nose pit bull for 5 years. We have had her since she was 4 weeks old and would never hurt anything…maybe a cat and I think she got a gopher once. I find it funny because she did get into a tussle with a weiner dog, the most aggressive dog breed. She only scratched him a little bit though, and you can believe the little ankle biter started it. Guess who got in trouble though…NOT THE WEINER DOG!! Owell, I guess the world really has not come that far out of discrimination. I know that my Daisy Dot is an angel, I guess it does not matter what anyone else thinks, just as long as they leave my baby alone.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
My daughter has a blue pit & macoy and a red nose & macoy. Their both beautiful and spoiled. They think they’re lap dogs. They love children and are very friendly. She live’s in a mobile home park (please no judgements for that) in mount morris, michigan. After living here for over a year. The park now wants her to get rid of the dogs because this breed has a bad rep. Does anyone have any helpful advise. Please someone help me help my daughter save her babies.
July 24th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Debbi- Perhaps your daughter could provide proof to the park that her dogs aren’t aggressive. She could let them meet the dogs; provide a video of them; gather letters from family,friends, and neighbors defending them; or tell the park that the dogs are not bothering the neighbors and ask the park managers to speak to the neighbors about it. However, this still may not be enough. She should do whatever she can to keep her dogs because many shelters have to euthanize pit bulls since they’re hard to place and many cities are banning them.
August 16th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
American Staffordshire Pitbull Terrier??!! unless its a mixed breed that’s impossible. Those are two very seperate breeds, I happen to own an American Staffy and am tired of being told he’s a pitbull. He’s registered with the AKC, as a staffy NOT as an APBT. There is a difference…..APBT are not even recognized as an official breed by the AKC…
What irritates me more is the difference shouldn’t matter. Pitbulls, staffies, and other bully breeds are some of the most loyal affectionate breeds. It’s unfortunate that when they bite, unlike smaller breeds, it turns into a media blitz against the dog and the breed as a whole. When was the last time you saw a news story about any sort of dog bite not attributed to one of the “Aggressive” breeds?! It’s no wonder the general public fear these animals, they see them vilified by the media every single day at 6 and 10pm.
September 29th, 2009 at 7:11 am
There should be a study done of which medium to large breeds are most aggressive. If you are a dog person, you already know the small breed dogs have the biggest attitude and are more likely to turn. I personally have a Rhodesian Ridgeback, APBT, and a Min Pin. They all are supposed to be more aggressive, but all are sweeties. Ive never had a problem with guarding, snarling, biting, or snapping. No matter where we go. I have however been severly bitten three times. 12 stitches to the back of the calf by a Golden. 4 stitches to my left forearm by a labradoodle, and 2inch gash right under my eye from a lhaso apso.
October 19th, 2009 at 2:17 am
I currently own a chocolate labrador retriever & a blue heeler/Jack russel Terrier mix. My terrier mix has always loved people,but hated any other dog other than his sister, our labrador & other small puppies. However, we tragically lost our Dixie, who was a purebred, beautiful, black and tan GSD because someone in the neighborhood that we recently moved into, shot her point blank in her own fenced in yard. She has never harmed a soul, or been out of the yard for that matter, so there was no reason for it. We caught the person who committed this heartless act & their excuse was this, “I have a 3 year old who was attacked by this breed at a young age, there is no place for them next door to me.” As I said, this dog would do nothing more than lick anyone to death regardless of the situation and had never even barked at someone passing on the street. Come to find out, the people on the opposite side of us claimed that the same person shot & killed their wonderful red nosed pit while she was let out to go potty. This person is serving community service for the murder of my “daughter” along with 5 years probation, but it seems to not even remotely justify the act. I do not have children of my own, my dogs are my and my husband’s children, & I feel that the judgement of any dog’s temperment before encountering each & every one individually is just as bad as judging a person before you have met them.
November 6th, 2009 at 5:23 am
I own a 27 month old Rottweiler named Bruno. He has never growled at anyone. He has never showed aggression towards a person or another dog. He plays with my 3 cats and our Dachshund. He licks babies and plays with kids. Bad dog owners have given the breed a bad name. Owners who wanted a “Bad ASS” dog. The owners are what made them mean. They are not genetically predisposed to aggression. They learn it from bad owners. Rottweilers are on the bottom of the scale as far as aggression tests go. The American Kennel Club lists the rottweiler as a calm and loyal breed. Aggression tests conclude that any animal can be aggressive. Certain health and mental disorders can play a role in a dog’s behavior just as in a humans. The Fact is this: “A dog is not genetically predisposed to agression and/or violence. How they are raised and treated is the major factor in their temperment”. Don’t blame the dog……..Blame the owner.
November 14th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I have been around and worked with and loved many dogs; I found that there are sweet and well mannered chihuahuas and dachshunds, as well as ill-mannered and aggressive ones. There are loving and sweet tempered ‘bully breeds’ or ‘banned breeds’ as well as unruly ones. The only consistant was the owners: what they tolerated or encouraged in their animals. I also noticed that it’s true with people and thier kids; you see an unruly and insolent little monster, chances are mommy and daddy think it’s “cute” or don’t have the backbone to properly chastise. Kids who have manners and can behave in public tend to have parents who know when to draw the line.
These dogs need a firm and loving hand, a committed soul in their owners and the right living arrangements. If more people realized that in order to own a dog and enjoy it, you need to find the perfect match – maybe we’d have less surrenders and far less idiots buying a dog on a whim.
I am the proud mom of an APBT, a GSD and an ACD/BC mix, and have no qualms telling people. Love knows no breed or obstacle.
November 20th, 2009 at 1:31 am
Rottweilers are fantastic family dogs, in all honestly, majority of Rotty bites are at the vet. As a vet tech I love the breed outside of work, they are good dogs, and great dogs with the right training. I own a APBT, she is my 17 month old daughter’s bff, and sleeps with 2 out of my cats every night. Chi’s, Doxie’s, Min Pin’s, pretty much 97% of small breed dogs are evil, and are deemed “land sharks” in my line of work. Poodles are the exception, even tiny they’re incredibly stoic, and make wonderful little companions
November 30th, 2009 at 5:56 am
The first problem I see is that people refer to their “animals” as their babies(or kids). This is wrong on a serious psychological level and means you are an unstable person and so it goes to reason that your dog will be unstable.(according to the good owner goood dog bad owner bad dog theory you all profess) ahh Karma as one person put it. You are doomed to a serious lawsuit because in an instant some kid will lose the end of his nose or a finger at the instantaneous and “amoral” whim of your dogs
November 30th, 2009 at 6:06 am
I have a Beagle that I refer to as my “pet” or dog because I also have Kids and know the difference. I find the article enlightening because when he was young he was food aggressive and growled at the kids who were young then too. We got him because we viewed the beagle as safe after giving away our rottweiler that went psycho after she had pups(until then she was great!) She suddenly decided to protect me from the world and my kids.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:41 pm
Certain dog breeds were created specifically to be used as guardian’s or for fighting. Pit bulls fall into this category and as such will have a natural instinct to attack other animals (especially dogs) and this will be a strong instinct around their territory. They were also bred to NOT be aggressive to humans as owners of dogs about to fight would need to inspect the dogs pre-fight to make sure that spikes, blades, etc… hadn’t been somehow affixed to the dogs. Rottys are agressive of their territory and family. Outside that they will rarely attack anything. You simply need to know the breed, it’s history, its natural instincts and adjust accordingly. Few, if any dogs, should naturally have aggression towards humans and the way they are raised will be the biggest defining factor in how they act. But just like people individuals vary widely. Know your dog and treat it right, for its safety and for yours.
February 15th, 2010 at 3:45 am
I applaud(sp?) the creators of this site. I am in the process of being certified by the state of Kansas as a large and “aggressive” breed rescue. My entire life has been full of beautiful and misunderstood dogs that we were always given due to their “aggression” (rottweilers, Great Danes, Dobermans, etc). Yet neither my parents,brother, myself or the other dogs we owned ever had to worry about being attacked or injured. I am a FIRM believer that EVERY dog has a chance at reform. For those who think that we are fools, let me tell you a story:
When I was 12, we recieved a German Rot named Baronus Von Stoval who was aproximately 4 years old. My father brought him home and told us that Baron was fearful of strangers and that we were not to approach him for a while, until he became used to us and his new home. He had been given to my father as a last ditch effort to save his life because the county that he had come from wanted him put down due to previous aggresive acts. After exactly one week of him being with us, I came outside to what I thought was his attacking my father. The noise to a 12 year old was extremely frightening. As I came into view of the dog I stood back in amazment and watched my father laying on the ground, tossing this VERY large dog back and forth like a rag doll and LAUGHING! Baron would stand up each time and crouch in typical puppy form with his butt in the air and his stump wagging. Then would pounce on my dad and proceed to roll his head all over my dad’s chest, almost as if begging for more. We were fortunate enough to have this dog for several more years without ANY negative acts to blemish that first wonderful memory. He was put down at the age of 10 due to a cyst that had formed on his spine which rendered him paralized in the back and was the last of that breed that my parents could ever stand to own. the love that he gave and was given by our family ranked him as a MEMBER, NOT a pet.
I have personally been training and rehabilitating dogs for over 15 years( I am over 30 now and began helping my father at 13 because of Baron)and have said for those same number of years that I concider smaller dogs to be more of a threat as far as biting and aggression (not damage) than larger breeds. I too consider my animals my children, and just like my children they need discipline mixed with LOTS of love. I hope that any future readers will take this true story as a sign that there are no bad animals, just rotten owners.
February 28th, 2010 at 11:58 am
I have a nine month female German Shepherd. She is very calm, gentle and loyal – which is what I have grown to know about German Shepherds. We bred this breed for sixteen years and all of the pups were of this temperment. I agree that the owners behind the leash are the reason the dogs have a bad rap. I purchased her from a breeder that in my mind is one of a kind. My girl is as I said 9 months old and over 80 pounds so needless to say she is going to be very large for the breed. Am I afraid of her – No No. Have I been training her – Yes Yes. She picks up very easily because of her natural intelligence. The breeder was and does belive in hands on when the pups are born. The are raised for the first 6 weeks with the family – small children. Please everyone understand if you are aggressive – your dog will pick up on that and be aggressive. There are no bad dogs – just bad owners. Happy dog owning.
June 26th, 2010 at 1:58 am
We have had two dachshunds. The first one was a lovable dog, but he was prone to snapping. You would be too,if your previous owner’s kid threw you down the stairs and pulled your tail.
Our most recent dog came from a pet store.He never snapped at me until he was 16 and a half.
“The arse behind the leash”? I definitely agree.
July 13th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
@Josh… the only difference in an apbt and a staffy is the fact it is registered under a different name. they are the same breed. the akc did not want a dog with the name “pit” it in, so they came up with american staffordshire terrier. certain pit lovers wanted to keep the name pit bull terrier therefor branched out and made their own registry called the ukc. some dogs are dually registered under the akc as staffy and ukc as apbt. did you know petey the pup was the first akc and dual registered pit bull. i guess that would make him an american staffordshire pit bull terrier. also akc considers dogs without cropped ears apbt, so if your dog does not have cropped ears, it cannot be registered through akc.
July 13th, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Hi Samantha, Actually the AKC allows American Staffordshire Terriers to be registered with both cropped and natural ears. Here’s the wording directly from the standard – “Medium length, deep through, broad skull, very pronounced cheek muscles, distinct stop; and ears are set high. Ears – Cropped or uncropped, the latter preferred. Uncropped ears should be short and held rose or half prick. Full drop to be penalized”
July 14th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
This article doesn’t surprise me at all. After having and working with dogs my whole life, the only scars I have came from a “weenie dog”.
As to the comment about referring to animals as “babies” or “children”, I don’t see a problem with it. As a parent you have to set limitations, rules and boundaries. If the lines are crossed you must discipline. Your job is to teach the child to be a successful part of society and to basically be a good person. You have to also nurture your child, love them and make sure they have all their needs met. They need exercise, mental stimulation and fun. How is this any different from a good pet owner?
July 14th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Of all the dogs I have owned, I love my blockhead bully dogs the best.
After we put down our 10 year old American Bulldog, I was so lost without a bully buddy. Enter Chicagoland Bully Breed Rescue.
They had a dog for adoption who’d been seized in a drug bust. The dealers had been trying to make him mean and aggressive; all they succeeded in doing was to make him overly submissive.
I was (and am!) so grateful to adopt my Bud D Dawg. Despite all the mistreatment he received, he has NEVER gone to bite any person or animal. It took some extra loving training to keep him from rolling on to his back whenever I gave a command, but he’s the apple of my eye.
I used to work as a vet tech, and can tell you that (in general) the smaller the dog, the bigger the attitude. I think that’s because the owners did not train the animals, and spoilt the daylights out of them by treating them like toys rather than the dogs they are.
Dogs are dogs and need to be what they are. When you don’t give a dog a job to do (even if it’s basic obedience), you will wind up with a troubled animal.
July 17th, 2010 at 2:40 am
It does not make a differnece what breed it is any breed can bite, pits people hate because of media BS totally! if any of you go on my face book account you can read how an am staff saved me from drowning the deal here i own over 80dogs they range from chihuahuas to doxies to jack russelS to rat terriers to basset hounds to beagles &catahoulas to cur dogs to border collies to basinjis an i have mixed breeds of many of these dogs crosses of the bigger dogs each one of these dogs could bite given the oppertunity, but my dogs will bite if you where to try an hurt them,so many people abuse their dogs mine are spoiled rotten all of them ,most the big dogs are hunting dogs an some are not, but it dont have to look like a pit to be a real pit but to the layman if it looks pit then it is a pitbull be real,my catahoulas an some cur dogs an even trialing bloodline beagles all have that blocky head some pit bulls have an amstaffs too so because they look pit they are not on your worse day,theirs a saying i believe in THEIRS NO BAD DOGS JUST ALOT OF BAD DOG OWNERS!
July 17th, 2010 at 3:09 am
A “Staffordshire terrier” is a form of pitbull breed. . It Was given the name to be a breed of dog for akc to be satisfied. They weren’t even allowed to be shown till recent years. They even have “American pitbulls” who still are Not made akc. But a breed?? Wow shocker. .. goggle It. I worked vet feild for years and still makes no right. What makes it worse is people complain but no action.
July 17th, 2010 at 9:33 am
Bottom line as was stated above: It’s the owners NOT the dogs. I have had rotties, dobes, etc…have a rottie now. Grissom would NOT hurt a fly. We’ve had him since he was 6 weeks old. However, we know the potential, work with him, keep an eye on him, and he is ALWAYS leashed when outside of our fences.
He plays with our grandsons, the cat, other people, and their animals, etc…but again, we DO keep an eye on him.
I just find it sad that the animals are destroyed when things go wrong and the owners aren’t hit with stiffer fines.
July 17th, 2010 at 10:50 am
My daughter has a 2 year old Staffordshire Terrier. She is very loving but a great watch dog. Her name is Spike…yes a girl named spike. Spike does not bite and has never bitten but does have issues with licking, she is great with kids and extremely affectionate. I have a 10 year old Black Lab who she fawns over. My sister has an aggressive yorkie who would go after poor Spike and Spike now is not good with other dogs other than my lab. Does anyone have any idea’s to resocialize this Staffy in a safe manner? I am concerned that she may go after another dog. Spike was great with all dogs until constant chastizing from the little yorkie. HELP
July 17th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Being a rescue and around all types of dogs between doing rescue and grooming and once working at the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha, and various vets… I have never once been even looked at in a wrong way by a Pit bull, a Staffy, and other bully breeds, I have unfortunately while at the NHS been by a Rottie. Now as a groomer I get bit more times by Shiztu and s lot of Cocker as well than any other breed. I was also bitten by a Chow and Doxies on several occasions… BUT!! and it is a big BUT!!! It is the owners who I believe are to be blamed for their dogs actions BECAUSE they do not understand the breed they get, properly exercise them, train and socialize them and MOST IMPORTANTLY!!! ill breeding practices and not making sure they are coming from reputable breeders and end up getting from puppy mills and backyard breeders who are in it for the $ and do not care what characteristics that are breeding into their dogs, and some are actually breeding the bullies to be mean, for like fighting, and sell to poor people who are unaware and ill prepared. I believe there are truly no bad dogs out, other then those bred for such purpose (but can be rehabbed in most cases if young enough) there just bad people doing wrong by them! PLUS having your dog spayed or neutered will cut down on their natural instinct to find a mate and protect their mate/pack And that includes us humans… from other dogs and people they deem as a threat. I think it is our duties as sentient beings to realize this and educate and go after those who are not breeding to better the breeds, not saying accidents don’t happen as they do but we need to push harder and make it more affordable especially to low income folks who can’t afford to get it done and thus end up with problems.
Right now in my rescue I have a Male lab for instance that an elderly gentleman had who at the time of rescue was unaltered and basically out of control due to the gent not being able to handle him and train him/exercise him as well as socialization. He is excellent with most people, sometimes barks or growls at people walking by, has SEVERE seperation anxiety if he sees that I am outside and he is inside, BUT has a major DOG aggression issue especially other males. I have been working on all his issues and have made progress other than the aggression issue, he has been fixed but being he was 3yrs old he had hit his sexual peak so it is going to be harder to rehab. But I am not giving up! I know of another similar issue with another loving Lab who is not fixed even though I have mentioned how it would help and he is now 6 and has attacked another dog.
Okay I have said most of my peace and yet can go on and on as I am passionate that it is the owners more than the breed!
July 17th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
I don’t find these statistics surprising at all. I’ve lived with both large and small dogs and the smaller dogs were far more aggressive than the larger breeds. My family has had a Siberian Husky, a German Shepherd, Dachshunds and Chihuahuas. I have found that chihuahuas are the most ill mannered breed and hard to train. I would never suggest one as a pet for children. However, I would suggest most large breeds as a family pet. We have never had an issue with any of the medium or large dog types. They tend to be more docile and loyal.
July 17th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
this is not a shock to find out. however, as to the comment about not calling animal control, emergency room visits and such, there is a reason. usually when a small dog bites, it doesn’t do damage. i love all dogs (i have a boston terrier), but i would much rather be bit by a weenie dog then a pitbull, if i had to be bit!
July 17th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I think that most of the bunk that comes from any dog being aggressive is the owner behind them. I have been around big and small dogs my whole life and currently have doxies….not an aggressive bone in their bodies unless someone or something is coming after them. My doxies will let anyone in the house and show them the silver if just stop and pet them….none of them are dog aggressive and in fact one of them was recently attacked by a large dog and now runs screaming like a baby whenever a big dog looks at her. Any dog can be aggressive, but the smaller ones are getting a bad rap now….a doxie is only 4 inches off the ground, how would you feel if a giant was coming down on you? I think unless the owners have socialiazed any dog properly there will be problems no matter the breed.
July 17th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
I think a big part of the reason that small breeds are at the top is because of lack of proper training.
People feel that, due to their size, these small breeds do not require proper training – and they are wrong. All dogs require training to ensure that they are not a danger to themselves or others.
I know of very few small dog owners who have invested in proper training, and the behaviour of their dogs reflects that.
July 17th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Pitbulls are evil and ruthless. One attacked my friends 5 year old daughter and ripped her face in half.
900 stitches and many more to go.
Nerve damage and broken jaw.
Really? thats nice dog.
It happens every day. Those dogs should be outlawed
July 17th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
It goes to show the ignorance of some people that want to do a breed specific law. Since when is a dog born saying I am going to be a mean, aggressive dog? We are here on earth to take care of God’s creatures. Who are those to decide which breed should be eliminated? Who made them judges? I cease to try to understand the thinking of some people. Their ignorance is above understanding. What about all the criminals? We house them, we pay for them. Some of them did heinous crimes. These crimes they did on their own choosing. A dog does not choose to become a “fighting” dog, it is by their willingness to please their masters that they do. It is man’s choosing to make them “fighting” dogs. It is by man’s choosing to abuse a dog to a point that the dog does become aggressive in it’s survival for life. Where is the logical sense? Wild animals kill other wild animals to survive, to eat. Man kills – just because they can. So where is the logical sense of these human beings that want to put in judgement certain breeds? Only one can judge. That is not you nor me. Animals were created first then man. Man was created to be these creatures caretakers not their abusers. I do not judge these people, but their rational thinking is way off. I feel sorry for them because they do not see. Any animal can become aggressive – and as our prison census shows – so can man. So think before you make a breed specific law. You are judging a certain breed a death sentence just because they are that breed. Do you think that is fair and just? Think about what you are saying, it just is not logical thinking.
July 17th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
There are millions of wonderful Pit Bulls that are valued family members. In fact they are some of the best dogs with kids there are because they don’t react.. as many other breeds do.. to kids bouncing on them, pulling on ears, teasing, falling over them. I was attacked by a Doberman … yet I do not disparage the breed because of a bad individual. People with no honor bred Pits, who in the past were renowned for their loyalty to their families, to be aggressive to people as protection of their illegal activities, i.e. drug dealing. It was epidemic down here in Miami. Now that Pit Bulls are illegal in Miami those same bad people are breeding Rottweilers, Presa Canaria dogs, Mastiffs, Dobermans and Shepherds.. to do their dirty work for them. They often cross Pit Bulls that are people aggressive into these other breeds which has created for them even bigger and badder ‘guard’ dogs. Blame humans because they control the breeding of dogs. NOT the dogs! Blame humans for their irresponsibility, NOT the dogs! The breed of Pit was meant to be the friendliest to people of any breed, AND the least aggressive. As horrible as dog fighting is, those dogs can be handled by people in the midst of the most horrendous pain and stress and never turn on the human in the ring. Any other working breed, in the midst of a dogfight (accidental or otherwise), is very likely, with the adrenaline and fear flowing freely, to inflict great injury on the humans trying to break it up. We owned the largest boarding and training kennel in Miami (Landmark Kennel) for 15 years and I ran countless obedience classes. During this time, Pit Bulls were numerous and popular. NEVER did I have a Pit Bull in class that ever once growled at his owner. There is no other breed of working dogs that I can think of, where that statement would be true. I am a dog trainer for the film industry, and I have had several great dog actors that were mostly Pit Bull and they were/are 100% trustworthy on set around strangers, children, and other animals. Petey of the Little Rascals was what Pit Bulls were, back before the criminals began to use their loyalty against them, and Petey’s example is what should be strived for now. Control the irresponsible humans that control the breeding/owning of aggressive animals with the possibility of JAIL time if their dog hurts someone! Until you can control the actions of the irresponsible dog breeders and owners, not to mention those using such dogs for criminal purposes, all of our working dog breeds are at risk from their whims and misplaced ego. Already there are Counties outlawing many other working breeds. This is a horrible trend. It is amazing that people cry out about civil liberties and Constitutional protection, yet Counties are getting away with outlawing my choice of pets, who are trained to be the best of the best of dog citizens.
July 17th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
Not even remotely surprised. When I owned three cocker spaniels (rescues), I found out that cocker spaniels bit more postal workers than any other dog in the uS.
It’s all about how much damage a dog can do though. I’d rather be bitten by an aggressive weiner dog than a pit bull or dobey any day (remember–dog behavior is almost always the owner’s fault).
July 17th, 2010 at 7:20 pm
I have two Doxies and working on adopting a third. We had a beautiful German Shepard Lab that lived to an old age. I feel dogs are examples of what they are shown. If they get love, they give love. If mistreated they will be aggressive back. I don’t like the recent bad rap that Dachshunds are getting. The are very lovable!
July 17th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Lorraine, I’m sorry your friend’s daughter got attacked. However, the blame rests on the owner of that dog. Regardless of the breed, she would have gotten attacked due to the owner’s negligence or abuse. I have known my share of pits over the years and not one I would consider aggressive for no reason. One of them did attack a boxer, but it was to protect his owner’s friend who was being attacked by said dog after he tried to pet him. Even then I don’t blame the other dog. He was neglected by his owners and chained outside 24/7 regardless of the weather. I’d be pissed too. My husband was attacked by a rott several years ago because the owner (his friend) thought it would be funny to tell him to attack just to see if he would. My husband never blamed the dog or held ill feelings about him. I knew the dog too and he was just a big baby.
I own a rescue myself. Before he was put into my care, he was chained up in a basement without food or water for 3 weeks and had been physically abused. Another week and he would have died of starvation. He was so weak he could barely stand on his own and was deathly afraid of people. During what may have been his first bath, he was so scared of me that he peed in the bathtub. It took a lot of love and even more patience before he became the wonderful dog he is today. I have never known a more loving, loyal, incredibly smart and protective dog. He protects cats, kids and women even if he doesn’t know them. He would die for me and I would gladly do the same for him. I call him my angel because that’s exactly what he is. I had to fight to keep him with me and I’d do it all over again. I can’t have kids and he is my son. No one can tell me any differently. I may have saved his life, but he saved mine in so many ways. The only time anyone would be in danger is to raise their voice or hand to me. Everyone who has spent time with him knows what a sweet boy he is including the vet. When he got his first shots, he looked back and licked the vet right in the mouth. He never even had a problem with other dogs until a female was put in the mix. He’d play with the male, but once the female came into the picture, the male stopped playing and we were never able to put them together again. The next time he came in contact with another dog, it was trying to attack him while he was watching our house burn. We stayed with the friend with the 2 pits while we looked for a new home, but kept them separated for their protection. Through a glass door, he saw the male jump on my husband and thought he was trying to hurt him when all he wanted was attention. We’ve kept him away from other dogs since then, but he knows it’s not ok to hurt anyone unless being told or to protect his home and anyone in it. Many people said he couldn’t be “fixed” and he’d be aggressive because of how he was treated at such a young age, but I’ve proved them all wrong.
As for little dogs, my husband compares them to short men…short tempered and eager to fight in order to prove they’re “bad ass.” Not all are like that, but I’ve seen it and don’t discriminate based on the few I’ve known to behave in that manner. Banning dogs based on their breed is just nonsense. Every breed can get violent. It’s their owners who need to be banned from ever owning an animal.
July 17th, 2010 at 7:33 pm
I own two small dogs: a chihuahua and a toy rat terrier. I also work with animals. My two dogs are amongst the most aggressive that I have seen. They were both rescues as adults so I have no history prior to them living with me. Both have been to obedience classes (and passed) and have been socialized with many people. However, they are aggressive and will bite. They will bite strangers given the opportunity. I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world but in my experience small dogs are much more aggressive than large dogs. That being said there are definitely large aggressive dogs. Unfortunately those dogs are more likely to be dangerous towards human while being aggressive. A small dog may bite and break skin but a large dog who bites and breaks skin will do more damage.
July 17th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
I work at a shelter and all breeds can be aggressive, but the ones that we have the most problems with are the smaller dogs. We have a lot of pits and pit mixes and the all receive a bad rap. People refuse to adopt a pit because of the “breed name” but yet will want to adopt the small dog even though he is a nipper or scared of kids.
July 17th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
People are the problem….dogs will act how they are raised. And some people are jerks.
July 17th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Lorraine, I am truly sorry for your friends suffering. Let me ask you though, because someone is attacked by a person of a different race are we then to assume that all people of that race are dangerous. According to a lot of people I guess that would be true, which is a terrible shame.
I have worked in rescue, at shelters and at vets offices for my entire adult life, and I can tell you that when a Pit walks into my clinic I’m more likely to trust that dog than the cocker spaniel who walks in(no offense to cocker lovers out there..I have met some really nice ones too) They are on the whole, friendly, loyal, affectionate dogs. There have been several who have not been that way. Those who were abused, abandoned, not socialized. Dogs who are not fixed or chained are also more likely to bite.
I know this will probably not change your mind, but take it from all of us who work in the field dealing directly with these animals, pit bulls are not the enemy. However I think we can all agree that more STUPID people own these bully breeds and therefore stupid things happen.
And to the gentleman who thinks that thinking of your pet as a baby will lead to aggressive behavior..hmmm. Dogs want a pack and they are in a sense your kids. Unfortunately many kids and dogs aren’t disciplined properly and that can certainly lead to horrible things happening.
July 17th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
I have a kelpie cross foxie and a jack russel x foxie and both were rescues. We found one on the highway running backwards and forwards terriefied for his life and the other came to use because he is the spitting image of the first one. They both showed signs of being neglected and abused. My kelpie cross was terrified of women and still shakes and cries if anyone yells or raises their hands in the air near him. My JR x Foxie has awful separation anxiety and has had training for an elderly person eg. comes and gets you when the phone rings or someone’s at the door etc. They are both darlings but both have nipped me on the occasion (usually it’s nail clipping time – they HATE it so the vet gets to do it now!). We also have two cats – one’s only 18 weeks old but they would never hurt either one of them – the kelpie cross thinks that the kitten is his baby and takes care of her. They are lovely natured dogs and they get a long with most other dogs, provided that the other dog isn’t in their yard!
July 17th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
I have my daughter’s APBT now for a couple months, while she is looking for an apartment that allow’s dogs (esp. pitbulls!). She bought him when he was 6 weeks old. I also own a labrador/bloodhound mix. I do have a cat who is staying at my mother’s for now, as the APBT did grab the cat and wouldn’t let go! On the dog’s defense – he has never been around cat’s until he came to stay with me! But rather than see if he could be trained around my cat – I thought it best to keep the cat at my mother’s for the time being that he is with me. The two dogs get along very well – actually my labrador/bloodhound is the more agressive with the attitude and barking! The pit never barks! Also, not agressive (only to the cat!)He has been exposed to many people and places over the 10 months since he has been born! I do know they (APBT) have a bad rap – but it’s too bad people are so judgemental about the breed! My son was bitten by a collie in the face when he was 5 ! You just don’t know! But I believe that as long as you give a dog lots of love, and exposure to people from when they are puppies … they grow to have an outgoing personality and get along with others! Just like bringing up a child!
July 17th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
My family and I have had a rednose pitty who had died of old age. He was the calmest most loveable baby ever. He would even let my daughters ride him like he was a horse. They would lay in the grass, the girls using him as a pillow, and he wouldn’t blink an eye. They would pull on his ears as babys and he would lick them to get them to stop, which of course they thought was funny.
And we have a dauchsie, whom my girls know when she is laying down you have to leave her alone because she will nip. You get close to her face she will nip. You touch her belly, in the slightest of touches and she will nip. Our entire family are dauchsie owners and they are a very aggressive breed. It doesn’t matter how well they are being treated. My inlaws treat theirs as one of the children. She gets spoiled rotten, and she is aggressive. All the grandkids know to stay away from her because she will bite.
As soon as we can afford a bigger house we are getting another pitty! My kids loved the big lug and miss him so!
July 17th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
I have been bitten by a dachshund.. I also had a chihuahua & a doberman who were both the most loving of dogs. The doberman did become very protective of my twins from the minute they were brought home yet he never actually went for anyone..He was not vicious, he just placed himself between strangers & the babies, gave a low growl (without showing teeth)& no-one challenged him.. I also have 2 (had..1 passed on Sunday) chinese cresteds & 1 is extremely friendly & the other would go after any stranger coming to close to m & bite. I find that small dogs are more aggressive than large dogs..
July 17th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
I have rescued and fostered dogs for years, homing many different breeds. My pit bull was a rescue, and only showed aggression when I first got her. It was over food, which didn’t surprise me since her previous owners starved her. Now she’s perfectly stable and willing to share the food dishes.
But I laughed out loud when I read this article. I have a Chihuahua/Dachshund mix, and a Jack Russell, and they fight each other more than any other dogs I’ve ever had. Now it all makes sense to me!
July 17th, 2010 at 11:27 pm
I have a Pit Bull named Scabs who I will not be able to describe in words that will suffice how amazing he is. Besides the 2 labs that I have had in my life he is by far the best dog I have ever had. Scabs was used as a “bait” dog in fighting and got away somehow and wandered up into our yard. He was disgusting looking to say the least with nothing but scabs and bite barks on him (hence the name). Now I would be lying if I said we did’nt have any hesitations about keeping him around due to the fact that he was a Pit and in terrible shape, but after putting a good bit of money into him to get him all fixed up and having him neuterd as well, he has become one hell of a dog……my real life teddy bear. I will NEVER hesitate to get another Pit again and as soon as I get tha chance I will be adopting two more. Scabs has forever changed my life and my appreciation for this breed and any other for that fact has grown to a great fondness. I love my Scabbers!
July 17th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
I was bitten by a Lab mix when I was a kid. So I guess that proves that Labs are all vicious slavering monsters, right?
I have a Chinese Crested who, in her previous home, got beat up by the larger dogs there. When she came to me, she was terrified of all big dogs, and fear-aggressive towards them because of it. That was three years ago.
Today, in a feed store, we turned a corner and encountered a greyhound. My little Crested gave a couple of “woof, woofs,” not loud or aggressive, just startled, and then settled down immediately. I was sooo pleased with her… and then the grey’s owner said to his wife, “It’s always the little ones!”
I explained that she had been beaten up by larger dogs during her first year, and has made a lot of progress, and he said, “Yes, yes, I’m just saying, it’s always the little ones!” As if I should be nodding in agreement, and not all offended, because after all, he was agreeing with me, wasn’t he? *feh*
From twelve inches or less off the ground, the world is an awfully big place, filled with giants, some of whom might mistake you for a toy if you don’t tell them you’re not. Despite that, small dogs generally do extremely well, and are calm and friendly–but nobody notices the little ones that are quiet and well-behaved, just as nobody thinks it’s a pit bull if it’s not aggressive and scary. Just EXACTLY the same.
July 18th, 2010 at 12:31 am
Wow, Rich, where did you go to school to say that animal owner who feel their pets are their kids are unstable? I am assuming with a statement like the one you made, it means you have a PHD in Psychiatry or Psychology because if you don’t, then you have no room to make such a conclusion. The only thing you have done in your statement is make yourself look foolish, but I am sure you were hoping it made you look intellectual and all. Better luck next time.
July 18th, 2010 at 1:27 am
While bad owners do invariably create bad dogs, it doesn’t change the fact that aggression doesn’t necessarily equate to danger. Risk management figures – multiplying the results of a catastrophe by the likelihood of a catastrophe – are probably more relevant. Even though a pit bull might be less aggressive than a dachshund, the larger dog has a much greater capacity to do damage, and therefore is a greater danger. As some of the commenters on this thread have hinted, the victim of a pit bull attack is far more likely to need medical attention than a person bitten by a dachshund.
July 18th, 2010 at 2:50 am
Look people, a breed of dog is NOT the same thing as a race of human. Being understandably wary of an aggro breed of dog is not racism, you twits.
July 18th, 2010 at 5:33 am
I have a chow and had a doberman many years ago. Two of the calmest, friendliest dogs ever. I hate to hear people label them vicious- dogs are only as vicious as the people that raise them. On the other hand, my neighbors had a cocker spaniel- a breed not known for being aggressive- that attacked every kid in the neighborhood.
All my dogs over the years have been rescues. Some suffered horrible abuse by their previous owners- but they still responded to love and kindness, and in spite of the assholes that had them before joining our home, they were loving dogs… yes, these were the so-called ‘scary’ breeds- what’s scary is the way too many dogs are abused.
Insurance companies etc. need to stop labeling certain breeds as aggressive and others as safe, and take a good, hard look at the owners treatment of them instead- a mean owner makes for a mean dog, but most of these dogs do fine once they are moved to good homes.
July 18th, 2010 at 7:30 am
I doubt Rich has any dogs and would not understand the unconditional love that dogs offer to their person(s). A human-dog bond is tight and mine are considered family members, as most on this comment board seem to understand.
A pit bull was at my dogs’ fence a couple of years ago when I drove up. The pit walked over to my neighbor’s yard, so I went into my home and called them to see if they had met the new dumpee in the neighborhood. I was told he was very friendly, so I went outside and placed a bowl of food for him to eat and he ran over and gobbled it up.
Unfortunately, another neighbor who thinks all dogs are evil and trying to kill her cats saw the dog, too. She motioned him towards her and then screamed when he actually ran over to her. She called the police and then called me to tell me that there was a vicious dog outside. Grrrr…..
the pit had rubbed up against me like a cat and was not aggressive at all towards me or my dogs, so I told her she was wrong.
The pit was placed in my fenced back yard to protect him from getting picked up (she told them he was vicious) and my dogs were placed in the house. Within two hours, a pit rescue contacted me from petfinders.org, where I posted the dog, and the dog was taken to safety – away from my silly, vicious neighbor. It’s the people, not the dogs.
I’ve been bitten three times: my rescued cocker spaniel (who was apologetic afterwards), another neighbor’s very small rescue dog (still scared of people) and my lab/chow mix who was on steroids due to a skin condition. He wanted the food that the other dog (his own brother) was eating and attacked him, so I broke the fight up and he reacted to me. He didn’t break the skin, but couldn’t handle the ‘roid rage. He also seriously apologized when I gave him a minute to calm down and before I hugged him to show forgiveness. No more steroid meds for him. Lesson learned.
July 18th, 2010 at 8:24 am
I have 2 pit bulls, a black lab, a siberian husky, a catahula leapard and a bishon frize. We are all one big happy family, but the 8 pound bishon rules the pack…hands down. She is the only one who has snapped at me and the other dogs! I believe with my whole heart, not everyone should be allowed to own a dog. I hate to see some idiot walking his dog with 20 pounds of heavy chain around his neck…or too skinny. People need to be treated and judged according to how they care for their pets!! SICK OF STUPID PET OWNERS!!
July 18th, 2010 at 8:39 am
if you want the truth about aggression and if it is breed specific or not go to a veterinary office and ask the staff who is more aggressive!
vet staff have daily observation of every breed and every mix and can give you an opinion based on the breed’s continuous action regardless of the house it was raised in!
July 18th, 2010 at 9:07 am
It is so great to see so many positive comments about “bully breeds”. I have worked with dogs and known many dogs. EVERY Pit, Rottie, and Doberman, Chow, etc. I have ever know has been sweet, loyal, loving, caring, and like a big teddy bear. Some of them had come from abusive situations before being rescued….yet they were still so amazing.
Whenever people talk about “bully breeds” being mean, vicious, etc. I laugh to myself. Then I proceed to tell them how, like this article says, after working with dogs I have never been hurt by a “bully”….I have been bit multiple times by Chihuahuas. *I am not, and would never, say all Chihuahuas are mean. That is profiling and stupid. I have met a very sweet Chihuahua. I am just stating that I have had more bad experiences with little dogs, as compared to no bad experiences with any dogs considered a “bully breed”.
I love telling the story of how I was almost “killed” by some Pits. I was at the local shelter donating some food. I went to see the dogs on my way out. All the non-”bully” breed dogs were barking, jumping around, going crazy. EVERY SINGLE PIT that was there was sitting calmly. All waited until I asked them to come over. Then, I was almost killed. I got so many kisses I almost drowned in their saliva!
I came home crying because I had fallen in love with all of them, and wanted to adopt them all.
I wish more people who speak against these dogs would do research and actually spend some time getting to know these breeds. There opinions…and lives…would be changed for the better.
July 18th, 2010 at 9:16 am
I’ve had rottweilers since 1992. They are a wonderful breed and flourish in the right home. My male has his CGC and is a Certified Therapy Dog. Zendyle works primarily with children doing a reading program and also visits children in a psychiatric unit. He has such a gently way with people, children and other dogs. It would be sad to see BSL passed that would ban dogs like him who do wonderful things. He recently did a walk to help raise money for canine cancer…he was one of several hundred dogs…all on leash and there were no issues.
July 18th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
31 years ago, I purchased a Pitt Bull Terrier from a reputable breeder (I worked for a vet during college and was referred by him). This is before Pitties had the reputation that now have. All things were fine until I come home from school one morning (after 3 years of raising this sweet, beautiful creature, who slept in bed with me), and she was at the door when I unlocked it… She was baring her teeth and growling – she would not let me in the door. and unfortunately I ended up calling animal control. These dogs, through no fault of their own, are bred to protect/fight. I always say that Pitts are fine – - – until they decide not to be
July 18th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
Perhaps the better measurement of dog “risk” from aggression i serious injury, maiming, disfigurement and deaths. it does not surprise me at ALL that Chihuaha’s and Doxy’s are at the top of the list for biting, but Pit Bulls kill and maim more children. Recently we had another pit bull incident where the animal ate the penis and testicles of it’s infant victim. Owner should be jailed for creating that situation (dog and baby left unsupervised). Less than a week later, another toddler attacked. Then an incident where a mother shot a pit bull that was attacking her children in her own yard. These animals have been bred for aggression and powerful violence. We don’t need such a breed on this earth.
July 18th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Everything “Eric” said on comment #51 is what I wanted to say but couldn’t quite put into my own words. I’ve been bitten by a Jack Russel Terrorist. It irritated me beyond belief. That dog would have walked with a limp for the rest of its life if I would have been able to catch him afterward. That being said, I would take a bite from that dog any day of the week over the bite of any large breed dog.
July 18th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
I am very proud to say my breed Dobermans in 40 years I have never had a “bad” one. They are loyal, devoted, loving, friendly and have changed many peoples mind on Dobermans. We do several events to raise money in dog walks, parades, etc. The ankle biters known as small breeds seem to be the ones lashing out. There are good and bad in everyone, animal and humans. Animals there is a quote” it’s not the dog it’s the owner”. I know of a Wheaton Terrier that is very aggressive – has been away to several trainers, and will come back to the owner and be the same as before it left. It only likes certain people and is very protective. This is the 1st one ever that I have seen act this way. The dog came from a so called breeder”puppymill type” that could be the answer.
Many of the so called dogs on the list for years have changed for the better, the new ones added. But it depends on how you bring them up, train, train, train and make it fun. Spend alot of time with them, treat then as you would like to be treated.
Let’s hope the puppymills will be stopped, spay & neuter very important- unless you are a Responsible Breeder. I am so glad to see there have been so many positive replys to this article- about the “bully breeds” and hopefully more people will read articles seek proffessional help if they are having a problem with an animal. After all they are no different than kids.
I was bitten by a Great Dane- that didn’t change my opinion of the breed- took into consideration – it was 99 degrees out without the high humidity,the dog was hot,tied up and tangled in a soft rope, he knew me but hadn’t seen me for a year. So you see it was not just the dog in this case.
I had people in a WalMart parking lot torment and harrass my dogs in my vehicle one fall day. They were banging on my windows, rocking my vehicle, and pounding on the vehicle- they had my animals very upset- I was in the store for maybe 10 mins- came out and heard them barking. Came up 1 row in front of my vehicle and saw the people and what had been done. My 4 windows were down approx. 2-3 ” and they had made my animals so upset, they were hot, things tipped over, just a mess. (Plus this made a huge difference in my aninmals when they would get in my vehicle after this, and it took a long time with alot of work for them to over come the terrible thing they went through.) So now who is to blame on this?? The dog if the authorities came! But who really was to blame the people doing this to animals! The Sheriff told me when I called them these people go around and do this on purpose to have the animals taken away from the owners- These people are nuts!!! They are animals rights nuts! So before people blame animals- look at the whole picture.
To end this I hope more of these animals will not end up in shelters, homeless, abused, etc….
they are living beings too…..
July 18th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Hot Dog dogs are horrible! I’m so glad this is out there. When I was little we there was one across the street from us and he always chased me on my bike. Once he jumped and bit my ankle and wouldn’t let go even as I was trying to kick him off. I had to go get stitches. I’ve been around Rots, Pits, Dobies, Shepherds and none of them even growled at me. But the little guys, yeah… I’ve been bitten by many. Mostly without a scrape or scratch, but they do bite. Some are extremely sweet of course, but my friends Chihuaha has bitten me SEVERAL times and does nothing but bare her teeth and bark at me. Plus, she attacks other dogs.
July 18th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
“The first problem I see is that people refer to their “animals” as their babies(or kids). This is wrong on a serious psychological level and means you are an unstable person and so it goes to reason that your dog will be unstable.”
This is a crock of crap, and to make a blanket statement like that shows that you may be compensating for something – like your own “instability.” I have two “kids” – a six year old minx cat and a five and a half month old pointer mix puppy. These guys are pampered and spoiled and I call them my children – but when it comes to misbehavior or their well-being, I still understand that they are a DOG and a CAT. I treat my “kids” like I will treat my human children – they are fed a balanced meal (no table scraps or “crap” food), they are strictly disciplined, and I don’t put up with any nonsense, and that includes when other people watch them. They are astonishingly well behaved (except for the puppy’s jumping problem, but he’s learning, and I compensate for it by absolutely preventing him from doing it in situations involving those who don’t like it or can’t handle it, like small children.) and healthy – even mentally.
Just because one overly sentimental idiot can’t be a parent doesn’t mean the rest of us should be thrown into eternal damnation with that person. You should never make “all or nothing” blanket statements. They are nearly always wrong, and only going to irritate those around you.
July 18th, 2010 at 8:43 pm
Lots of comments on this, so I’m sure no one will get to mine.
I’m a big dog lover and I own 2 chihuahuas. I’ve also in the past owned a Jack Russell. So those two being on the list doesn’t surprise me at all. Our Jackie was nuts.
This whole idea of an entire breed of dog having the same personality is incorrect. There are traits that run in breeds, but socialization and training are a far better predictor of behavior than breed.
It is a good point that the larger the dog the more likely the dog is to cause harm, accidentally or purposefully. I’ve had lots of acquaintances with Pit Bulls, Labs, and other large breeds. Not a single one has ever been aggressive or attacked. But a Pit Bull did tear open the sleeve of my ex-boyfriend’s leather jacket. She was jumping on him — not aggressively, but in excitement.
My Chis are polar opposites. One is the sweetest, most social animal. He loves nothing more than having people come over. New people don’t bother him. New animals don’t bother him, he is intrigued. The other acts like a little monster. She barks and growls and attempts to bite when backs are turned. It takes her forever to warm up to a new person and even then she is highly strung. However, once she bonds with you she is far more affectionate, submissive, and loyal than my male Chi (who is sort of a jerk — but I love them both). I feel that this is partially due to their personalities, but mostly due to the very different habits I had when I got each of them. My male Chi was exposed to more people and places as a puppy than my female Chi, who got to stay with me 24/7 and didn’t get exposed to strangers or strange environments.
I’ve always suspected strongly that small dogs get their deserved reputation of being “yappy ankle biters” due to the sort of people that get them and those peoples’ expectations. Small dogs are often acquired with the expectation that they will be easier to care for than large dogs. When a small dog is not trained to potty outside, not trained to jump on people, or not socialized it’s far less obvious than with a large breed. They’re still obnoxious, but they’re 15 or fewer lbs of obnoxious rather than 60 lbs of obnoxious.
It’s also worth noting the instincts of these breeds. Pits and some other breeds are discriminated against and this is not right. But for families considering a Pit the instincts of that breed should be taken into account. Pits (along with lots of other breeds) were bred hunt vermin. As a result a Pit, if not properly socialized, will often display aggressive behaviors against smaller creatures: children, babies, small dogs, cats, etc. Just as border collies tend to try to “herd” other creatures by nipping at their ankles.
Jackies were bred as hunters as were Doxies. Jackies toward formal hunts, Doxies more toward ratting. Same as a Pit, it’s in these dogs’ blood.
I’m very opposed to breed discrimination, but it’s also true that breeding is often telling. It’s often astonished me that a greyhound taken from its mother at 6 weeks old will display a love of running, or a Jackie a propensity for digging. How we humans managed to instill these behaviors in the breeds we created I will never understand!
And that’s the point. We created these breeds. We choose to acquire them and not socialize and train them after ignoring the breed characteristics. These poor animals should not be discriminated against and killed due to our negligence.
July 18th, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Rich has real problems. I have 2 sons a wonderful daughter-in-law and two incredible grandkids. I also have 10 furry kids. My dogs stay on my property and behave better than most human children. They are loving beyond belief and have ‘adopted’ the grandkids into the pack with such joy even I was astounded. Yet I watch over their interaction 24/7. Kids punch eachother dogs bite. I see very little difference as my boys ‘fought more than these kids ever do! Rich do some research into those of us that know & love our furry kids and are responsible as we share our lives with them. Never ASS-U-ME.
July 18th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
For the folks here talking about how pitties are more likely to maim and do damage, do me a favor and “Find the Pit Bull” http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html
Also, look at these 2 news stories and tell me what you see (hint: the answer is in the headline):
“3 Pit bulls attack college student” http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/local-wpri-new-bedford-pitbull-attacksal
“Family says dog tried to pull baby out of burning home” http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/98024604.html
My point is twofold: 1) dogs identified as pit bulls in negative news stories are often mis-identified but the breed name is always in those headlines anyway and 2) somehow the media seldom manages to mention the name of the breed in the headline when a pittie has done something good.
July 18th, 2010 at 11:58 pm
I’m sitting with five dogs on the bed right now…lab/beagle, poodle, and three miniature dachshunds. None of mine have ever bitten anyone, but the first one to the gate when the meter reader comes every month….the weenie dogs. I tell him every single month….the big dogs might intimidate you, but it’s the low ones that will get you. Anything with teeth can bite ya, but it’s the fearless badger hunters that come yapping to the gate warning strangers to stay out.
July 19th, 2010 at 10:37 am
I am not surprised because I had Dachshund mixes as a child. Known several chihuahuas and all were aggressive. the worst to me were Blue heelers in obedience classes and in the neighborhood chasing me and my huge bad rottweiler who was BYB and much tougher than my show baby.
There are 2 differences: RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP is usually known by owners of those big bad breeds and we train out dogs and socialize them.
Training is not a class for once a week but every day.
and if someone tries to hurt me my rotty can kill them by the sheer jaw strength, but none of the litter terrors can help me out of my tub when my back it hurting. Nor can they protect me from push ins and thieves.
I only had one dog not love me and I was a child and it was a cocker/X. Rotty love is bigger than the dog.
July 19th, 2010 at 11:05 am
I’m not surprised about the weiner dogs! One of those suckers came after me when I was on my bike as a kid, and bit my ankle. To this day they are not my favorite. Mean little suckers!
July 19th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
I’ve a 5yr old American Pit Bull (male)and two kids (ages 6 & 5). My dog is such a good dog that people, who’ve feared pit bulls their whole life, love him, once they try to know him. I’ve friends or neighbors who own pit bulls, pit bull mix, german shepards, boxers, mastiffs, rotties, labs, poodles, dog/wolf hybrids, dobie mix, dobies, chihuahuas, husky, and husky/german shepard mix. The only two that I know would bit is the chihuahua & the husky/german shepard mix. The chihuahua has bitten so many people that they muzzle it, whenever they have company and it still tries to bit you (but then all of this person’s dogs have been like that regardless of the breed). The husky/german shepard mix was chained to a tree 24/7 with little social interaction (by it’s ignorant owners) and almost bite me when I was 7yrs old, as I at that point didn’t know that not all dogs are friendly. It’s how you raise them that makes them act the way they do.
July 19th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Hip Hip Horray for the pitties. Loyal, agile, fearless, loving, empathetic, eager, friendly, funny, and many more. Of these characteristics the most valuable is their AMAZING loyalty.
July 19th, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Proud Owner of Rescued Pits – Kissa-Bull/Irresista-Bull/Lova-Bull/Adopta-Bull
“Stop Canine Profiling – Adopt a Pit Today!”
July 19th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
i have two pitbulls one a red nose and the other is a regular pit they both are very loving dogs the not aggresive it shows how people raise them with a little loving any dog can be kept from being acused of being a dangerous dog my red nose has been to court more times than a repeat offend because shes accused of being aggressive so i bring her in the court room to show them how aggresive she is she comes up and licks the judge the court cops com e up and pet her with no problem she just loves to loved thank you for your time
July 20th, 2010 at 9:40 am
Just want to echo “anonymous” on comment #65 on a lot of his/her points. I agree thoroughly that it’s not all about the breed and much more about the owner. More specifically, I think it’s about the *type of person* that tends to own these individual breeds. IN GENERAL (not overall), small dog owners tend to be looking for a plaything, something cute and cuddly, like a baby; so they treat it as such. For this reason, small dogs tend to not get the training/socialization/discipline that large dogs get, which makes for a more aggressive dog. Large dog owners tend to take more seriously their dog ownership, as the consequences of not doing so are large, so you tend to see better behaved, socialized, disciplined large dogs, which results in less aggression. There are exceptions to all of this – I’ve certainly seen well-behaved small dogs, and horribly-behaved large dogs – but it’s *always* dependent on the type of person that’s raising the dog. So when you see a headline about a pit that’s attacked someone, look at the owner, and how he/she raised/disciplined/socialized the dog. You’ll almost always find your answer there.
I’d like to add that MUTTS are the BEST – you avoid the inbreeding that results in pure breeds, therefore often “diffusing”, so to speak, lots of negative traits that can be more pronounced w/ pure breeds. I have owned a Dobie/Rott mix who was the biggest angel in the whole world; currently own a wolf mix and a boxer/dane mix, neither of whom have ever bared a tooth at anyone, ever. My nephews climb all over the boxer/dane and she doesn’t bat an eye (the wolf mix is old and somewhat aloof, so we keep them off of her – see, responsible dog ownership, amazing!).
Thx for reading, there are a lot of good comments here.
July 20th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Pittys rule, gotta home full (of rescues). Our pits live with cats and babies, there ain’t no maybe’s – we love rott’n'pitts!
July 20th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Big dogs have a bad reputation because owners lack proper judgement and companionship with their pets. Abuse and poor diet can also make dogs like dobermins, boxers and pitbulls aggressive. The abusive owners should be put down, not the animals! Save the animals if they aren’t past the point of no return. I believe there should be extensive requirements and rigourous tests in order to acquire a dog for a pet. People take them for granted all the time. I once found 3 baby puppies, couldn’t have been older than 8 weeks old, hanging ina plastic bag on a chain link fence. How cruel is that? -.- It’s a damned shame. I took them to a shelter immediately because I knew I could not care for all of them. Responsibility is what’s lacking in our sense of “humanity”.
July 21st, 2010 at 7:25 am
I know you people love your dogs but people don’t end up in a hospital or morgue from weiner dog bites. Pit Bulls and Rottwielers may be nice dogs but when they do attack they do a lot of damage to the innocent victim. I would not want one in close proximity to may child. I work in a hosp ER and I ahve seen the bloody victims.
July 21st, 2010 at 8:08 am
I have 5 dogs, two are small, one medium and two large. My largest is a South African Boerboel x Ridgeback, and one of my small dogs is a Jack Russel. I have an even tempered pack, the majority of the time, my Jack Russel and my small cross breed are by far the most troublesome. My medium and large dogs are extremely well behaved. So I think this survey is spot on. All my dogs have been nutured in the same environment with the same rules, so it cant be the “idiot” behind the leash, now can it?
My Jack Russel has snapped once or twice at my daughter in the 6 years of her life, but my large dog, has not so much as even growled at my daughter.
I think large dogs get a bad rap, and yes most often its the owners to blame, but we must also look to the smaller breeds as they do get away with more than their fair share!
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:34 pm
I am so happy that you posted this article. Growning up I lived across the street from a man who breeded dobermans. I use to go over to his house and play with the dogs all the time. I always told myself that when I grew up and was on my own thats the kind of dog I wanted to get. I owned one for 11 yrs. She was the sweetest dog in the whole world. I had two small kids ages 2 and 4 when I got her. She grew up with the kids.She never showed her teeth or even growled at anyone in her life. Now I am a grandmother of a 3 yr. old. I have 2 dobermans who are 4 yrs. old. A brother and a sister which I also was told was a “no no” . They have no idea they are dobermans. They know I am the alpha which I think is the number one thing. But they also know I love them and have been raised with kisses and hugs. I hired a trainer with my first doberman and I learned how to do it so with these dogs I chose to train them myself. They are obedient and loving dogs. They are great with my granddaughter. But I will never forget that they are an animal and I dont care what breed you have , if they feel threatened or fearful they will defend themselves. SO around kids you should always be careful and never take any animal for granted . All I know is they are the best family dogs . They are devoted and SOOOOO sweet. Yes, their barks are scary and they may look scary and it is so funny to me when people that come into my house actually are intimidated because if they actually knew what these dogs where like they wouldnt be. I totally agree , it is the owner , not the breed. Certain dogs may have been originally bread to be guard dogs and have that natual instinct to be alert but that doesnt mean that they have a natural instinct to be agresssive. That is taught to them .
July 30th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
There is one clarification that I would like to make to this article after reading the abstract from Applied Animal Behavioral Science regarding aggression. The scientific study was broken down into many facets of aggression, two of which were aggression towards people and aggression towards dogs. The only reason that the American Pit Bull Terrier scored average to below average was because the Pit Bulls tested showed aggression towards dogs,…which is a known behavioral trait of the breed. After all, they were bred to fight dogs. So, when looking at the overall picture, the top three most aggressive breeds exhibited aggression across the board, towards their owners, towards strange people, towards other dogs, you name it. The Pit Bulls and Akita’s scored average because both of these breeds exhibited aggression towards other dogs. The Pit Bull in particular did not exhibit any other aggression except towards another dog. The breeds that scored the lowest had the lowest incidents of aggression towards people and dogs. Just thought I would clarify.
August 1st, 2010 at 10:04 pm
I am appalled at this article and its lack of research. I am a dog lover of all kinds, especially dachshunds since I have owned one for over 11 years now. She is my angel. She and I survived living in downtown Manhattan on 9-11. After I had to run from the first tower falling I came home to find her hiding under the pillow shaking. Since then I have suffered from anxiety and my dachshund has been my therapy dog ever since. She knows the right way to calm me down when I start to panic. She also like me loves children and people. She would never hurt a fly and when my son was born I was worried how she would react, but there was nothing to worry about. She loves him, even though he is in the toddler stage where he does things occasionally that annoy her, like pull her tail, she will not bite him. She will give him a dirty look, walk away and then a few minutes later she will be back licking him. Also, I belong to a few dachshund clubs and have been around 100 or more at a time. I have never had a dachshund try to bite me or see a dachshund try to bite anyone or any animal.
It seems to me that pit bull owners are looking for a dog to change focus too. Furthermore, if a pit bull bites it can and has killed people, as well as other animals. One killed a miniature pincher in the dog run of the park near where I used to live. It is not always the fault of the owner why a pit bull attacks. My best friend had one growing up and they raised it to be gentle, but it still killed the neighbor’s cat for no reason. Also, recently Rachel Ray’s pit bull bit the ear of another dog off on the streets of NYC for no reason. Obviously we know and have seen from the commercials she was in with her dog that she loves her, raised her right yet it still attacked. It is in their nature and they have a split personality no matter how they are raised. To compare their rep with one recent survey of bite statistics with small dogs, specifically dachshunds is crazy because they are two totally different dogs .
August 3rd, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Not at all surprising with the breeds mentioned,what gets me is how society is still hell bent on the bully breeds being blood thirsty monsters when they are in fact the opposite,i wish we could do away with BSL it is just not fair,i wish we could do away with the media,they are just down right liars looking for a story to bring up their ratings,i wish we could get rid of all the animal abusers,wipe out dog fighting,oh and wipe out all the trash that are caught abusing any animal,I wish for alot of things but i really wish is they would leave my beloved pets alone,i am worried everyday i take my pibble out,worried someones dog is going to attack him and he will be blamed,this is not fair,i hope the insurance companies see this list of aggressive dogs and go after the people who own these breeds,see how they like being picked on.Next time you are faced with your homeowners insurance agent show them this article,see how they react to that
August 22nd, 2010 at 2:28 pm
While certain breeds certainly should not be discriminated against for being more aggressive or more likely to attack, In reality, some breeds were bred to defend and therefore have more potential to do bodily harm. A Rottweiler, for example, certainly has more powerful jaws and is more intimidating than a smaller breed. My Granddaughter was attacked by my very own Golden Retriever and required several stitches in her head. This is a Dog that was calm in nature and was a therapy dog with his CDC. He was startled by her and turned to defend himself. We should have a respect for all dogs and know that ALL dogs have a potential for doing harm. No matter how sweet or gentle they are, or how big or small, they are animals. They are what God designed them to be. It is up to us as their owners to see that they do no harm. I personally would rather fend off the attack of an angry Dachshund rather than an angry Pitt Bull. There is no contest there. I don’t think the blame lies on people who discriminate against these animals. It is important to keep things in perspective. Some dogs are more dangerous than others just because of their size and their design. It is the responsibility of the owner to keep them from doing harm.