Each State’s Favorite Dog Breed Ranked: You May Be Surprised by CT’s Favorite

10 Dangerous Dog Breeds That Aren't For The Average Pet Owner

Dogs are amazing, but not all of them make great pets. Knowing which breeds might turn your life upside down is a game-changer if you're thinking about getting a dog. The breeds discussed in this article come with more challenges than cuddles, and unless you're ready for the chaos, they might leave you regretting your decision.

American Pit Bull Terrier

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Pit Bulls are strong, determined, and full of energy. They need a responsible owner who understands how to manage a powerful breed. Their history in dog fighting means some people train them to be aggressive. They also often land on breed restriction lists. Plus, their high energy means they can destroy a house if they don't get enough exercise.

Alaskan Malamute

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A dog that sheds enough fur to build a second dog every week—welcome to life with an Alaskan Malamute. This Arctic breed was bred for pulling sleds, which means they have a huge amount of energy. They'll take their boredom out on your furniture, walls, and anything else they can destroy if they're not exercised constantly.

American Bully (XL)

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The XL Bully looks like a bodybuilder in dog form and needs someone who can handle that strength. These dogs are affectionate, but their sheer size and muscle mass make them challenging to control. They also have a high drive to protect. On top of that, the breed has significant health concerns.

Great Dane

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Yes, they look impressive, and yes, they're usually sweet. But owning a Great Dane is like having a horse that lives indoors. These dogs take up massive amounts of space, require tons of food, and have a short lifespan—many only live 6-8 years. Their size makes medical bills skyrocket, and if they develop bloat, emergency surgery costs thousands.

Dachshund

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Dachshunds are adorable troublemakers. They love to dig, bark, and chase anything that moves. Their most significant issue is their backs. Their body structure makes them prone to intervertebral disc disease, which can lead to paralysis. Even jumping off the couch can cause serious injury. They're also notoriously stubborn when it comes to training.

Akita

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Akitas were bred to be independent hunters, and that instinct is still strong. They're naturally suspicious of strangers and often aggressive toward other animals. Training them requires patience and a firm hand—otherwise, they can become dominant and difficult to control. They also shed nonstop, and their thick fur isn't ideal for warm climates.

Rottweiler

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A Rottweiler's strength makes them difficult to handle if they aren't trained well, and because of their reputation, many places restrict or ban them. Rottweilers also suffer from serious health issues, including hip and elbow dysplasia. If you're not fully prepared for owning a powerful working dog, a Rottweiler can quickly become a problem instead of a companion.

French Bulldog

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French Bulldogs have skyrocketed in popularity, but most people don't realize how high-maintenance they are. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds have serious breathing issues, which often require surgery just to help them breathe properly. They also overheat easily, have sensitive stomachs, and are prone to expensive health problems.

Belgian Malinois

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These dogs are elite working animals, not casual pets. Belgian Malinois are bred for police and military work. They need hours of intense exercise and training every single day. They become anxious, destructive, and aggressive if they don't get that. They're brilliant but require constant mental stimulation. Without an experienced handler, they're a disaster waiting to happen.

Border Collie

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Border Collies are geniuses, but that intelligence comes with a price. They need nonstop mental and physical stimulation, or they'll find ways to stay entertained—like herding children, nipping at ankles, or destroying your furniture. They're excellent for the right owner but a nightmare for anyone who isn't prepared.

Pug

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A pug's health problems make them a heartbreaking choice. Their flat faces cause breathing difficulties, and they're prone to obesity, skin infections, and eye issues. They also shed more than you'd expect for such a small dog. While they're affectionate and easygoing, vet bills pile up fast.

Shar Pei

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Shar Pei looks like a walking wrinkle factory, but those folds require constant upkeep. Moisture gets trapped in their skin, leading to frequent infections that smell bad and are expensive to treat. Beyond that, they're notorious for their stubbornness and aloof attitude.

Rhodesian Ridgeback

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These dogs were literally bred to hunt lions, so expecting them to be couch potatoes is a huge mistake. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are independent thinkers who don't always feel the need to follow commands—especially if they don't respect their owner. They're also known for their high prey drive, so small pets are at risk.

Dalmatian

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They may be the stars of 101 Dalmatians, but in real life, these spotted dogs are a handful. They have a stubborn streak, which makes training frustrating for inexperienced owners. Another major issue with this breed is deafness. Combine that with their need for an active lifestyle, and you've got a dog that's often more trouble than it's worth.

Beauceron

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A Beauceron is a working dog through and through. These powerful herders are extremely intelligent but require structured training, firm discipline, and plenty of activity. They're not content sitting around all day and will find their own entertainment if left alone. Their strong guarding instincts also mean they can be wary of strangers and overly protective.

Here Are Some Of The Most Dangerous Dog Breeds In The World

Most Dangerous Dog Breeds In The World

By: EjazUlHaqBhat

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Some dogs are known for their strength and aggressive nature. They can be dangerous if not properly trained or socialised

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Here are some of the most dangerous dog breeds in the world

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Rottweilers are known for their protective instincts and are often used as guard dogs. However, this protective instinct can make them a threat to outsiders, both human and canine

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German shepherds are intelligent and have a high prey drive, which can make their aggressive nature more threatening if not properly socialised

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Dobermans are loyal and protective, but their instincts can become problematic if they perceive a threat. They can be aggressive towards strangers and occasionally, their owners

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The Pitbull is known for its aggression and strength. They are often bred as protectors, and are known to attack children and adults with little provocation

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The Chow-Chow breed is consistently named as one of the most dangerous and aggressive breeds, especially toward strangers

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Huskies are known for being friendly, but they have strong predatory instincts. They can lash out if they are frustrated, poorly trained, or feel threatened

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The Eight Dog Breeds Most Likely To Bite According To Experts

Dog bites can be shocking, scary incidents, but are thankfully rare - most breeds can be trained to avoid attacking people.

Welcoming a dog into the family is a big decision, and one that has to be taken responsibly. Thousands of incidents of dog attacks take place each year and the most likely cause of all attacks is not necessarily breed but the conditions they were brought up in or find themselves in.

Dogs that feel frightened or threatened, are in pain, or have experienced mistreatment are more likely to bite. There are a number of factors to consider when discussing dog attacks, including where and how statistics are reported.

For example, smaller dog breeds' bites go underreported due to their size, whereas attacks by bigger breeds are often overrepresented in statistics because they are more likely to cause serious injury.

That being said, there are some innate characteristics to certain breeds that can make them more likely to bite. Studies have looked into which breeds are more likely than others to show aggression towards humans.

The study, according to online dog magazine Dogster, revealed the eight breeds most likely to attack. It took place in Italy and was overseen by veterinarians and dog behaviorists.

Dogster combined this with data on dog attacks in the United States to provide a list of the dog breeds most likely to bite.

Pit Bulls

A Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Image: Mike Linnane / 500px via Getty Images)

According to the study, nine out of the 87 dogs that showed aggression towards humans were Pit Bull types (Pit Bulls and American Pit Bulls), while seven were American Staffordshire Terriers.

Mixed breeds

Mixed breeds accounted for 27.6 per cent of aggressive tendencies towards humans (24 dogs out of 87) during the study. Of course, a mixed-breed dog can be almost anything, including a combination of the breeds on this list.

Rottweiler

In the Italian study, six Rotties showed aggression towards humans. Rottweilers, large and strong dogs originally bred for cattle protection, have over time branched out into roles such as police dogs, personal protectors, search-and-rescue dogs, guide dogs, and more.

With consistent and proper training using positive reinforcement and early socialisation, Rottweilers can make great family pets. However, it's crucial to closely supervise all interactions with children and other pets to minimise the risk of aggression or attacks.

German Shepherds

German Shepherds are often trained as police dogs (Image: Roger Tidman via Getty Images)

German Shepherds, often employed as police dogs across various countries, unsurprisingly feature on this list. They possess a formidable bite force of 360.4 Newtons and the Italian study revealed that 11 German Shepherds exhibited aggression towards humans.

Mastiffs

There are numerous Mastiff varieties, including the Tibetan Mastiff, English Mastiff, South African Mastiff (Boerboel), Neapolitan Mastiffs, Bullmastiffs, and Mastiff mixes. This makes the data comparable to the situation with Pit Bulls.

American Bulldogs

American Bulldogs, originally bred for fighting, also appear on this list. They were responsible for one fatality in the US in 2019.

Interestingly, this breed was not included in the Italian study, which did include the English Bulldog, with only one showing aggression towards humans.

Siberian Huskies

Huskies are much loved and can be very affectionate (Image: Yasser Chalid via Getty Images)

Siberian Huskies, when properly trained and socialised, are known for their energetic and loving nature. In 2019, statistics from the US showed that Huskies were responsible for one fatality.

Boxers

An Italian study found one dog of this breed to be aggressive towards other dogs, but not humans. The Boxer, another breed originally bred for bull baiting, was also featured in the study.

It noted that two Boxers displayed aggression towards humans, and two were involved in fatal attacks on humans in the US in 2019.

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