The Most Dangerous Dog Breeds That Require Extreme Caution

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Dogs are thought of as loyal companions, loving family members, and even skillful workers. But not all dogs are created with the same temperament, strength, or behavior. Due to their size, strength, and their historical use, some breeds are going to need experienced handling and a commitment to training. While some dogs are affectionate and gentle, others carry considerable risk unless they are trained and socialized properly.

There’s a lot of conversation around dangerous dog breeds, it’s an emotional subject. When talking about the topic, it’s very important not to blame the dogs themselves. Often, their behavior is a function of their environment and upbringing as well as what their owner’s view reflects on them. Yet, knowing a bit about what different breeds need and the risks they may present can help encourage safer interactions for humans and animals alike.

Pit Bull Terrier

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This list is often lead by Pit Bull Terriers because of their physical strength and their past history of being involved in dog fighting. Although families will love that these dogs are affectionate, their strong bite coupled with the drive to make a challenge for themselves if they feel threatened make them dangerous. This breed has been misunderstood and proper training and early socialization are required.

Rottweiler

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Rottweilers are protective and large dog breeds. They were originally bred as guard dogs, and can be very loyal to their families. Although they are wary of strangers by nature and are strong, they may be befriended. Rottweilers need to be trained with firm leadership according to the American Kennel Club, as they warn that it can develop aggressive tendencies.

German Shepherd

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German Shepherds are also an intelligent, versatile dog that is widely used for police and military roles. Admirable for their loyalty and courage, they can be overprotective or reactive if you don’t train them. According to a ScienceDirect study, German Shepherds were one of the breeds most likely to be aggressive toward strangers.

Doberman Pinscher

Dobermans are sleek, powerful, and very intelligent. They are guard dogs by historical definition, but they can become aggressive if they believe someone is threatening. Dobermans are deeply loyal to their families and can be trained consistently to give their energy in a positive way.

Alaskan Malamute

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Alaskan Malamutes are a majestic dog, strong and bred to pull sleds in the Arctic. They are independent and have a hard time training, and may not be good with little animals or small children. Malamutes require a lot of mental and physical exercise to stay well behaved.

Great Dane

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While they have a nickname of ‘gentle giants,’ Great Danes can become dangerous because of their sheer size and strength. If they’re not trained properly, on the other hand, they can end up causing more harm than good. Also, they might be aggressive if they feel that their family is threatened.

Dogo Argentino

First bred for big game hunting, the Dogo Argentino is a strong and determined breed. Although they can be affectionate with their humans, their prey drive and protective instinct makes for an animal that needs an experienced handler. That said, in some countries, these animals are banned because of their ability to be aggressive.

Cane Corso

All Cane Corsos are huge and intimidating with their muscular bodies, bred for protection and hunting. No one can match their loyalty to their families, but their wariness of strangers can cause aggressive behaviors if they’re not trained well. They need to be socialized early and with responsible ownership.

Tosa Inu

The rare Tosa Inu, bred as a fighting dog in Japan, is known for great strength. They’re calm and cool but can go off on you if you really push them. However, because of its fighting lineage, this dog breed is restricted in many countries.

Siberian Husky

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Siberian Huskies are energetic and wonderful, but they can a tendency to hurt small animals because of their hunting histories. Their friendliness breed doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be firm with them since their high energy can cause destructive behavior without proper training.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.