The 10 most dangerous dog breeds in 2023 (2023)

Important points:

• Some dog breeds remain more aggressive because they were bred for generations to hunt or fight.
• Many aggressive dogs love their families but need to be properly trained and socialized early on to welcome visitors.
• 4 million people are bitten by dogs every year.

Although we stop frequentlydogs as pets, it is important to remember that they are descended fromwolves. They may be domesticated, but at the end of the day, dogs are animals. Additionally, many of them were bred for violent purposes such as hunting and home defense. That's no small miracle4 million peopleare bitten by dogs every year. That's why we've created this year's Most Dangerous Dog Breeds list based on the breeds that bite the most and the breeds credited with the deadliest attacks.

This list of aggressive dog breeds can help you assess the risk of ownership or presencedog breedsthat may be harmful to you.

What makes the most dangerous dog breeds menacing?

Dangerous dog breeds are not necessarily the most aggressive dog breeds. AChihuahuacan be a very aggressive and territorial breed, but that doesn't mean they're very dangerous. After all, in most cases the dog weighs less than 10 pounds, so poses no danger to humans.

Instead, we focused on making a list ofDogs, both of which have the potential for aggressionBehave as noxious due to the purpose for which they were bred as well as physical size. In other words, a willingness to become violent and an ability to harm people or other dogs are the things that make these dog breeds the most dangerous.

Why are some dog breeds more aggressive and more likely to attack?

Dogs can be socialized in a friendly and loving manner within a home, but there is always a part of a domesticated animal that remains feral. Some dog breeds remain more aggressive because they were bred for generations to be vicious predators. Others have been rescued from a situation where they were socialized to be violent like attack dogs.

Also, not every domestic situation is good for a dog. Studies have shown that some vicious dogs were raised by humansshows psychopathic tendencies, and these people became a dangerous influence on the dogs, leading to poor results.

Bad things happen when a problem dog is introduced to young children, other pets, or people who are not good with animals.

A dog's breed is one part of the equation that contributes to its violent nature, but it's a significant part that cannot and should not be ignored.

The 10 most dangerous dog breeds in 2023

Identifying the most dangerous dog breeds for 2023 is all about which dogs were responsiblemost fatal bitesover a period of time. Based on a collection of information from 2005-2017, we have compiled a list of aggressive dog breeds that are most likely to kill a human, making them the most dangerous breeds.

Comparison of this information with data aboutdeadly attacks in 2021we can draw conclusions about dog breeds that will continue to be the deadliest in the coming year.

1. Pitbull

While it shouldn't come as a surprise to most people studying dangerous dog breeds, thePitbullis the most dangerous dog. Although not a breed recognized by the American Kennel Club, "Pitbull" is a catch-all term that is usedBulldoggenandTerrierrather than a single breed of dog. According to the above study, the pit bull was responsible for 284 deaths over a 13-year period, about 2/3 of all fatal dog attacks in the worldUnited States.

That's a rather disheartening statistic when you think about it6% of all dogsin the United States are pit bulls. They were bred for generations to be dangeroushunting dogsand attack dogs, so it's not surprising that these dogs continue to pose a threat to this day.

Another reason pit bulls are the most dangerous dog breed is because they have large bodies (weighing up to 80 pounds), strong jaws, and great killer instincts. Humans and other animals don't stand a chance against a pit bull. Still, many people insist that these animals are merely a product of their upbringing and have loving pit bulls as pets.

2. Rottweiler

Before pit bulls entered the public consciousness as highly dangerous animals,Rottweilerwere often considered the most dangerous dog breed in the world. These dogs can grow up to 25 inches and weigh 120 pounds or more and still be healthy.

They have large bodies and a temper that can turn bad in some situations. In particular, the dog becomes very friendly and protective of those in their household, but this protection does not extend to visitors.

Rottweilers are known to be powerful, protective and loyal and can be dangerous when attacking intruders. Although not a threat to the family, Rottweilers are usually very aggressive when protecting their owners.

In the same time that we spoke to the pit bull, the rottweiler was responsible for 45 fatal attacks, accounting for 10% of all fatal attacks observed in the United States during that time period. Rottweilers also have a terribly powerful bite that they know how to use to great effect.

3. German Shepherd

German shepherdsare working dogs that have been used by the military and police for the last few decades. The reasons for this choice are obvious: these are hardy, intelligent, powerful and dangerous dogs capable of inflicting deadly attacks on humans.

Weighing around 90 pounds and over 2 feet tall, the German Shepherd breed is perfect for containing human threats. The breeding of generationsworking dogshas resulted in a highly effective tool.

Unfortunately, as far as aggressive dog breeds go, German Shepherds excel at aggression and territoriality and have been the cause of 20 fatalities (about 5% of all dog bite deaths) and numerous nonfatal biting incidents. The only bright spot in this case is that this breed is very trainable.

4. American Bulldog

Unlike their British counterparts whoAmerican bulldogis still a strong workhorse that has not been overbred to the point of uselessness. Standing just under 30 inches tall, these dogs can build muscle and weigh over 100 pounds. They are fat, strong dogs that are very dangerous when attacking.

During the 13-year study, American bulldogs were responsible for 15 fatalities, about 3.5% of all fatal attacks. While that's not a huge number, it's significant considering this breed is rarely mentioned alongside some other dangerous dogs.

Make no mistake - thatBreed has a powerful biteand the ability to jump high enough and hard enough to knock an adult flat on the back.

5. Bullmastiff

Devoted, alert and fearless are all terms that apply to theBullmastiffBreed, and therefore people value them as pets. They will guard your home and yard, but they may not like the presence of outsiders and this behavior needs to be curbed at a young age to prevent attacks.

Although Bullmastiff attacks are relatively rare, the fact that these dogs are so large means that if they attack a person or other animal, the damage is severe. They can reach 130 pounds and be 27 inches tall or more.

These dogs were responsible for 3.2% of all fatal attacks that occurred over the 13 years of the study, equivalent to just 14 deaths. However, when you consider the relative rarity of the animal in the US, it's a sign that the dog is dangerous.

6. Siberian huskies

Siberian huskiesare prized for their wolf-like appearance. You shouldn't be too surprised when you find out that dogs share lookswild animalsact a bit like her.

Huskies were used as sled dogs in the coldest regions of Canada and the United StatesUnited States. Although they only weigh 60 pounds, they are strong for their size and very independent animals. These dogs are highly motivated when catching prey. Most animals smaller than them, including humans, can look like prey to them.

In this case, it's their survival instinct that gets them into the most trouble. Huskies were responsible for 3% of all fatal attacks in the study we cited. Although friendly most of the time, these animals have been known to attack children and adults who challenge them, even if they don't have a history of aggression.

7. Labrador-Retriever

DieLabrador Retrieveris a hunting dog bred to work with people. They are fairly large dogs, weighing up to 80 pounds and only about 2 feet tall. Labradors are often prized as family-friendly dogs, and they're impoverishedguard dogsfor her trustworthy manner.

So how come Labradors were responsible for 2.1% of all deaths in the study? Most of the time, the Labrador is thought to be defending its territory or even its food. Sometimes people accidentally corner their dog and make him feel threatened by correcting his behavior.

However, Labradors are not tallaggressive animals, but they can knock over or severely bite people.

8. Boxer

Boxerare interesting dogs because they look incredibly goofy at the same time, but they were bred to be working dogs. These dogs are high energy and can weigh up to 80 pounds of muscle.

When you combine their physical abilities with their protective nature, it's easy to see why boxers can be such a nuisance. If someone the dog doesn't trust does something near their owner that they perceive as threatening, the dog might deftly attack.

Boxers have only caused 7 fatalities in recent years, but they are also prone to non-fatal bites. Like other dangerous breeds, you should only get this breed if you know how to use ittrain a dog.

9. Dobermannpinscher

DieDobermann pinscherhas an iconic silhouette, easily recognized by the cropped ears, straight back and look of constant vigilance. These animals were used as guard dogs, a job they did so well that they have become almost synonymous with the job, aside from German shepherds.

The name "Pinscher" comes from a German term referring to their habit of attacking and biting prey. This is another breed that has been bred for generations to become perfect fighting dogs. It should come as no surprise that they are quite dangerous.

Doberman pinschers were responsible for about 6 deaths as well as many biting incidents at the time of the study. Although the death toll isn't as high as that of other dogs, the breed is dangerous and can cause serious injury. They stand between 2 feet and 3 feet tall and weigh over 80 pounds.

10. Alaskan Malamute

Finally, we have themAlaskan Malamute, a dog that bears a striking resemblance to the Siberian Husky. The main difference is that the Alaskan Malamute is much larger than its wolf-life counterparts. These dogs can weigh nearly 90 pounds and stand 26 inches tall, so they are quite large and powerful.

They are also very energetic and love to jump around and get into mischief. Unfortunately, these dogs are not known for giving in to their owners' desires, so they need to be raised well from an early age.

Although they are only responsible for 4 deaths, the Alaskan Malamute is still on the dangerous dog list due to its powerful bite and willingness to use it against others.

Another dangerous dog breed that we could have added to this list are mixed breed dogs. They have accounted for a significant number of fatal bites over the years, but it is difficult to contribute to a "mixed breed" category when data is not available on what defines their breed.

All in all, these ten dog breeds represent the most dangerous ones out there based solely on the number of people they kill and how often they attack others. They threaten not only because of their actions, but also because they have the potential to cause such terrible harm.

Final thoughts on the most dangerous dog breeds

As we've said before, you can socialize a dog to be friendly and helpful in your home, but they'll have a hard time ignoring their instincts. Other factors can also play a role in whether or not the dog is likely to bite you. These include:

• Sex (men are more likely to bite)
• Neutered or neutered (unneutered or neutered dogs are more aggressive and territorial)
• Fence aggression (people approaching dogs defending their homes)
• Approaching unfamiliar dogs

These are all factors that can influence a dog bite scenario. While it may be tempting to think of a dog's breed as the sole reason they will attack someone, other reasons are influential as well.

Diedog breedsthat we've listed here are dangerous enough that owners need to take extra precautions, but that doesn't mean they're too dangerous to own. Every dog ​​is different, and those raised in the right environment and not exposed to inquisitive children or other pets stand a good chance of remaining peaceful throughout their lives.

Next:

• Types of hunting dog breeds
• The 9 Best Dog Breeds That Are Good With Cats
• Discover the different types of Hound Dog breeds!