10 Most Vicious Dog Breeds: Understanding Dog Temperament 2024

Last Updated on May 7, 2024 by themubbi63

What exactly does it mean for a vicious dog breed? So many of them are big enough to do serious damage if they wanted to but it doesn’t seem to be the case with most breeds. Additionally, individual temperament, life experience, past traumas etc all play a part in how a dog reacts to a human being. These lists are mostly based off of recorded cases where a dog has attacked their owners. So let’s take a look at some breeds that are considered dangerous by most people.

List of all Vicious Dog Breeds

American Pit Bull Terrier

Sitting at the top of most lists is the American pit bull terrier which has become such a beloved pet and companion for so many people. With their liquid eyes, they don’t come off as dangerous. However, this breed has a dark history of being bred to take part in illegal dog fights. They’re also extremely muscular and powerful dogs and thus a bite from them can be fatal. More pit bulls have been known to turn against their owner than any other breed. While abusive owners are definitely a part of that, the naturally aggressive nature of this breed doesn’t help matters.

Rottweiler

An extremely intelligent breed that is known for being great guard dogs, the rottweiler often gets a bad rep of being dangerous. But at the same time, the fact that the rottweiler is so loyal and devoted to their owner can be bad news for outsiders. These dogs have just a slightly lower body count than the pit bull and they can get very aggressive towards visitors coming into their home. Proper training and socialization is very necessary to prevent this and a lot of inexperienced dog owners might not know how to manage this problem.

German Shepherd

Known as one of the most hardworking dogs in the world, German shepherds have served as police dogs for a long time. They’re so intelligent and protective that they serve as watchdogs and in the police and military around the world. However, they do also have a mean streak and can be very wary around strangers which can lead to violent encounters. Large and powerful dogs with a very high bite force, the German shepherd has been responsible for several lethal and non-lethal bites in the last couple of decades.

American Bulldog

Unlike their British cousins – who are most lethargic, obese couch potatoes – the American bulldog is a muscular and powerful breed. With a bone-splintering jaw, this species is known for being much more aggressive than the others higher up on the list. They’re also fast. So they can maim someone with a bite, yes, but they can run them down too if they really wish to. They’ve got an extremely high prey drive and they don’t do well with smaller animals, including smaller dogs and cats.

Siberian Husky

The beautiful wolfish looking husky might not seem the most dangerous dog breed straight off but the thing with huskies is that they’re bad at obedience training. With an almost cat-like personality, huskies have a reputation of doing what they want. This stubbornness can lead the husky to lash out if they’re in a harsh, abusive environment. (Again, we have to remember that animal viciousness doesn’t exist in vacuum and a lot of the time the dog might just be reacting to the circumstances it finds itself in.) These charming, vocal dogs need safe and loving environments.

Doberman Pinscher

You wouldn’t want to come across an unknown Doberman Pinscher unexpectedly. Their alert, fixed stare alone is enough to scare off most people. But even apart from that, this breed has an extremely high bite force and can cause serious damage if it wants to. All of this contributes to making the doberman an excellent guard dog and they can be very loyal to their family. But they’re one-master dogs for the most part and require extensive training to be able to socialize properly.

Alaskan Malamute

Similar to the husky, the Alaskan malamute has a history of growing up in harsh conditions and climates and having minimal interactions with people. The only thing is that the malamute is much larger than the husky. This means that malamutes that take a dislike to you would be a dangerous creature to encounter. They have a very strong prey drive and can get very aggressive if they’ve had previous bad experiences with owners. They aren’t good dogs for first time owners or families with children.

Boxer

Boxers aren’t generally known as aggressive dogs but are known for being hardworking, quirky dogs. They’ve got very affectionate personalities and their wide-eyed look gives them an appearance of being permanently confused. However, they are great guard dogs and that has given them a fearsome reputation. While not as intimidating as the bulldog or pit bull, they do have a very strong bite force and might become aggressive in the defence of their family. Remember, no animal attacks completely unprovoked and even the breeds on this list have reasons for being there.

Bullmastiff

The bullmastiff is a big, big breed. It’s also strong and muscular as opposed to being fat and lazy. Highly territorial, bullmastiffs can be frightening to look at. They’re generally a very calm, affectionate and friendly breed. However, they have led to attacks resulting in deaths a few times over the years. We can’t even always blame the dog’s viciousness – or lack thereof – for this since an overenthusiastic pawing by a bullmastiff would be enough to send someone to hospital. Big dogs present a challenge. The power behind that massive frame is a cause for concern. And owners need to take all of this into consideration before they get a dog.

Chow Chow

Chow chows are generally considered pretty unfriendly as a breed since they can be aloof at best and downright aggressive at worst. People think them cute because of their teddy bear-like looks, floofy fur and unique black tongues. However, chow chows have been known to attack people multiple times and children have happened to become fatalities to chow chow attacks quite a few times. They aren’t the biggest of dog breeds but they can be heavy. All of this combined has led to the classification of these Chinese dogs as high risk pets.

Conclusion

Dog ownership is a big responsibility. While some breeds have a higher risk of aggression, proper training, socialization, and responsible ownership can significantly mitigate these risks. Understanding a dog’s temperament is key to building a safe and loving bond.

FAQs