Last Updated on May 11, 2024 by themubbi63
It would be extremely harsh to rank the worst dog breeds. Also quite impossible because how do you quantify something like that? Aggressiveness? Most dogs aren’t aggressive by nature and training plays a part in that. Difficulty in training? There’s a reason some dogs are more independent and stubborn than others. Rather, let’s look at some different categories.
Worst Dog Breeds To Bring Up With Kids
While a lot of dog breeds do very well with children and children can be safely brought up alongside them, there are some problems. None of these problems make the breed inherently bad, just unsuited to that particular home. Let’s take a look at these problems.
Chihuahua
A lot of small dogs don’t do well around children and the same is true for Chihuahuas. This breed can get aggressive when they feel threatened and they feel threatened a lot. Chihuahuas are known to bite to make up for their small stature. So it’s best not to have them around young kids.
Akita
The best and worst thing about Akita’s is that they’re fiercely protective guard dogs. While this will not pose any problems to your own children, they might be aggressive towards other children and friends of your kids coming into the house. That would make playdates difficult.
Shi Tzu
Some reputable breeders won’t even sell these popular lap dogs to a home with young children. The reason? These dogs are very high energy and they don’t pay energy where they’re going. They might knock your kids over while zipping around the house and be a general health hazard.
Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs are considered gentle giants but they are huge in size. With such a large, muscular, powerful dog, there’s always the fear that it doesn’t know its strength. If the Bullmastiff gets even slightly rough in its play, it could hurt your child quite badly. Parents tend to be wary about big dogs in a home with young children.
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is notoriously stubborn and hard to train which makes it a difficult dog breed in any case. Combined with children, it’s a nightmare. The Chow Chow generally does not appreciate a kid cuddling with it or playing with it and screaming children can trigger aggressive behavior.
Worst Dog Breeds For First Time Owners
Most first time owners aren’t fully aware of how to train their dogs properly and this can lead to bad behavior in dogs. There’s no such thing as a bad dog but bad training can pose issues for the future. It’s important to choose a dog that will match your lifestyle.
Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies were a working breed and bred to pull sleds over long stretches of snow for days on end. They are built for stamina and endurance, not obedience. Most Huskies don’t do well with obedience training and need a lot of physical stimulation which first time owners might not be able to provide.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are the best workers of the dog world but that doesn’t always translate to great pets. They’re extremely intelligent and protective by nature. But they need a firm hand and a lot of exercise which is exactly why they don’t do well with first time owners. They’re also pretty short-lived as a breed.
American Pitbull Terrier
American Pitbull Terriers have scary reputations and histories, which makes first time owners wary right away. In the right home, they can be loving companions. But they are big and muscular animals and bad treatment can quickly turn a Pitbull into an aggressive dog. It’s best to steer clear of this breed if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Saint Bernard
While Saint Bernard’s can seem lovable at first glance, they are very high maintenance. They’re big, they’re drooly and their piles of fur go simply everywhere. They feel hot all the time so leaving them in your backyard isn’t going to work. And they have a tendency to eat socks and dish towels.
Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog was originally bred from a mishmash of several dogs and it resulted in a dog with a very adventurous spirit. But it is also notoriously stubborn and hard to train. They’ve got confidence in excess and a tendency to get into scrapes and injure themselves.
Worst Dog Breeds For Senior Citizens
Dogs are good companions but they also require a lot of time and energy. Some breeds, despite being excellent breeds themselves, aren’t at all suited for older people. Dogs for the elderly shouldn’t take more effort and energy than they have to give.
Labrador Retriever
Probably the most popular dog breed in the world, the Labrador Retriever is an extremely high energy dog. They’re big dogs that need a lot of exercise. Smart and athletic, they need to be kept mentally and physically stimulated at all times. This makes them not a great breed for older people.
Border Collie
The Border Collie, again, is an extremely high energy dog. Bred to be a champion herder, the Border Collie is the workaholic of the dog world. They always need a job to keep them busy and if you don’t have the time and energy to devote to them, they can get bored and destructive.
Jack Russell Terrier
A smaller breed, the Jack Russell Terrier is an extremely stubborn dog. It’s also like cats in a sense that it likes to hunt and bring ‘presents’ for its owner. They need a lot of room to run around in and are quite athletic. Without a seasoned trainer, the Jack Russell can be a nightmare of a dog to own.
Dalmatian
While Disney paints a very touching picture of the Dalmatian, these spotted pooches are actually fairly aloof and aggressive by nature. Many of these dogs are fearful and fear in dogs leads to bad behavior. They also shed a lot. Thus, they aren’t a great fit for seniors.
Beagle
Finally, the small and popular beagle is another hard-to-train dog because of their stubbornness. Developed as a scent hound, these dogs are very vocal by nature and whine and howl a lot. While they’re often very popular in young households with children, they aren’t the best for older people.
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
What is the most aggressive dog?
The most aggressive dog breed is often debated, but breeds like the Pit Bull, Rottweiler, and German Shepherd are commonly mentioned due to their strong protective instincts and history of aggression in some cases.
What’s the hardest dog to own?
The hardest dog to own can vary depending on individual circumstances, but breeds known for their high energy, strong will, and intelligence, such as the Siberian Husky or the Belgian Malinois, can present significant challenges for inexperienced owners or those unable to meet their exercise and mental stimulation needs.
What dog breed is not a good family dog?
Breeds like the Chow Chow, Akita, and Dalmatian are not typically recommended as family pets due to their independent and sometimes aloof nature, along with a tendency toward territorial behavior or aggression, especially if not properly socialized and trained from a young age.