What are the dog breeds considered aggressive in the USA?
Dogs are the most popular pet in the United States, and if you’re thinking of getting one, it’s best to look into which breeds are considered aggressive.
Dogs have long been known to be the best friends of human beings, and in the US, they are the most popular pet, with 65 million households owning one. There are obvious benefits to having a canine in your care, but some of them can have a downside.
Dogs bite more than 4.5 million people each year in the United States, and although some of these incidents only involve small nips, more than 800,000 of those bitten have received medical attention, according to the CDC.
Animal experts say that any dog can bite, whatever its size or breed. They stress that the pet’s history and behavior are the bigger factors in determining whether it will bite, and not the kind of dog that it is.
Biting is not the only indicator of aggression. Dogs can display this kind of behavior by barking, jumping, and snarling at what they perceive to be a threat to themselves, those they are loyal to, or those they are guarding.
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What are the dog breeds that are considered aggressive in the US?
Penchant for biting notwithstanding, there are dog breeds that have been found to be more aggressive than others. You can factor this into your choice of pet, when deciding what kind of companion you want to have.
What may be surprising for some is that some of these breeds are very small. Tiny dogs are often more aggressive than their bigger counterparts because of their fear of animals that are larger than them, including humans.
Based on studies on canine behavior and insurance claims, the dogs listed below are some of the most aggressive breeds.
- Akita
- Cane Corso
- Chihuahua
- Chinese Crested Dog
- Chow Chow
- Coton de Tuléar
- Dachshund
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Shepherd
- German Spitz Mittel
- Lagotto Romagnolo
- Miniature Poodle
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Pit bull
- Rottweilers
- Rough Collie
- Siberian Husky
- Spanish Water Dog
- Wheaten Terrier
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What makes a dog aggressive?
The breed of a dog is one element that could influence its aggression, but it is not the strongest determining factor in this kind of behavior. With the right training, those who are from breeds that are typically considered aggressive can live harmoniously with humans and other animals.
Other than the animal’s size and breed, other determinants of aggression include its age, as older dogs have been found to be more aggressive. Gender is another consideration, with male dogs often behaving more aggressively. Owner experience and socialization of the pet are two other important influences in exhibiting hostile behavior.