The World’s Most Aggressive Dog Breeds
04. Dec, 2009 
82 Comments
Below you will find a list of what we think the world’s most aggressive dog breeds are complete with pictures…. With our ‘Most aggressive dog’ selection at the end… A lot of people have misconceptions when it comes to which are the worlds most aggressive dog breeds and which ones aren’t.
The most aggressive dog breeds generally exhibit behavior that’s meant to scare or intimidate other animals or people. You can tell if a particular breed has aggression issues by the way it acts. You should especially pay attention when you are selecting a puppy. Is it the bully of the group, or quite shy and timid?
Don’t just look at a dog’s breed when selecting one. Even the gentlest of breeds can be violent ones, especially if they aren’t given enough socialization and training. Did you know that the breeds that are more likely to bite are the ones people rarely think about – like the cuddly toy poodle or the Jack Russell Terrier?
So here is our list of the most aggressive dog breeds…….
- Chow Chows are one-man dogs that be given to bite with no warning. They’re also a bit ferocious around unknowns, and can be quite tenacious fighters. So be sure to discipline this dog and set right from wrong, immediately.
- The Papillon is fiercely loyal of their owners – to a fault. They can be quite possessive and standoffish to strangers.
- Old English Sheepdogs are very protective of their owners so they might be aggressive if anybody comes too close to their masters.
- A Llasa Apso often gets quite cranky around kids.
- Rottweilers are extremely protective of their masters and home so they also make great guard dogs.
- Chihuahuas aren’t too fond of kids so they also make it into our list of most aggressive dog breeds. They’d rather be with adults than play around with tots.
- Toy Poodles bite people and other animals out of self defense. Unfortunately, ‘playing’ according to you may be perceived as a form of ‘attack’ to them.
- Dachshunds aren’t known for their patience and are quite quick to ‘snap’.
- Jack Russell Terriers are feisty creatures who require early training to prevent long-term biting and digging problems.
- Giant Schnauzers are very dominant. They often challenge adults, particularly strangers.
- Cocker Spaniels often suffer from a dangerous genetic disease known as “rage syndrome.” This syndrome causes spontaneous violent action against not strangers, but even family members too. Many Spaniels have been put down because of this unwanted behavior. Check with the breeder to ensure your Spaniel is free from this dangerous dog disease.
- The Pekingese isn’t all that tolerant of strangers and can be aggressive little ‘ankle biters’.
- The world’s most aggressive dog breed though has to be the Pit Bull Terrier though accounting for more mauling’s, injuries and even deaths to other animals and people. They are the breed that is covered the most in the news when it comes to dog attacks. Of course it is not usually the dogs fault when they do attack as it’s purely down to their own animal instincts, but attacks can usually be put down to their irresponsible owners.. Athough pit bulls are ‘generally’ quite gentle and can make a well loved pet.
Here’s a rundown of more breeds of dog that are typically gentle but can’t shake off their “bad dog” image.
- Boxers are pretty good with kids. They are good watchdogs, but will only become aggressive
- Bulldogs are very playful and gentle.
- Great Danes, while considerable in size, happen to be kind and affectionate.
- Mastiffs are especially quiet and docile.
- German Shepherds are great with kids too. These are courageous, fiercely loyal dogs who, if trained properly, will be extremely gentle to family and guests.
- Rottweilers are also capable of tenderness and affection. They have a bad rep, but if they trust you, you’ll never have to worry.
Rottweilers are listed as both aggressive and “bad dog” image.
My experience has been that big dogs are generally less aggressive. Maybe because they don’t need to be.
Rottweilers are stubborn and have issues with sudden movement involving their peripheral vision. It took me 3 weeks to realize that my boyfriend’s Rottie was not growling at me when I entered her bedroom, she was talking! They have a tendency to vocalize (also known as the Rottweiler “purr”) which a lot of people confuse with growling. Otherwise, our Rottie is a dream dog. Very affectionate with other dogs, people, and kids!
I’m pleased to see an article like this on the web, but I’m slightly disappointed that American Staffordshires (more commonly known as Pit Bulls) were not included in the “Unshakeable Bad Dog Image” list. Media frenzies like the Michael Vick case and many others create a terrible, impenetrable image for these dogs every day. People should be aware that they are incredibly playful, sweet, and intelligent dogs who love their family and love children. They are a beautiful breed and vastly underappreciated.
What about the Pit Bull in the “typically gentle but can’t shake off their ‘bad dog’ image”!! They are the sweetest dogs on the planet!
I think little dogs are often more aggressive because they are allowed to be. Dog owners think that if they can easily overpower or pick up the animal they don’t have to correct the behavior. If you wouldn’t allow the behavior from a 100 pound dog you shouldn’t allow it from a 15 pound dog.
What about pit bulls? Its interesting that all of the dogs that I thought were good are bad and the dogs that I thought were bad are good…
I hear you McLaughlin.. the dog I’ve had the most trouble with ever is a toy poodle of my neighbor’s. Very agressive, doesn’t like me much.
I figure if ti charges me again I’ll just kick the darn thing, not somethign I want to do and likely not something I’ll be proud of if I wind up doing it.
The worst part is that with proper training any dog will be gentle and kind. But some people can’t be arsed to do anythign but yell at thier dogs..
Oh and for bonus irony ponits.. the dog’s name is “Sweetie.” No, ersiously.
I had two over 11-year old Giants (one had to be put down last month due to cancer). I did get them training early…but am shocked to read they are people-aggressive. The only peep of aggression I ever saw was when the more dominant one was attacked (unprovoked) by an Australian Shepherd…and she did not go for the kill…but certainly managed the situation! Mine do not match these characteristics.
What about Akitas?
I had a 1/2 Bull Mastiff,1/2 Doberman Pincer.She was the best dog I ever had(and I’ve had a few,large and small.),she was very intilligent,very affectionate,and super obediant.She looked almost like a giant Pitt Bull,and she was colored like a Red Doberman.My daughter used to always say that “Yhatti” didn’t like her and wanted to bite her every day when she came home from school.I asked her why she thought that?She said,because she meets me at the door showing her teeth every day.I said Ash,she doesn’t want to bite you.She is happy to see you,and she is smiling at you.She would od it on command too,if you told her to smile pretty,man I really miss my Yhatti.
Chihuahuas are awful, awful dogs! I don’t see how they’re classed as “dog”, they’re more like irritating giant rats. They snap, growl, bark, bite, … never met a nice one. Pit and Rotts … the “bad dogs”, never once encountered a problem with them. My dog is a mix of some kind and is quite aggressive with other people.
I might have to put him down because it’s too much.
+1 along with everyone who agrees that Amstaffs/pit bulls should be on the gentle with a bad image list. Some of the nicest and most obedient dogs I know and are Amstaffs; I trust them enough to let them sleep in the room with me when I dogsit (just gets a little tiresome when they keep getting on and off the bed, lol).
On the other hand, small dogs are some of the most annoying little shits I know of. Not sure if it’s just how they were raised, but they all seem to be so stupid…hyper, bark at everything, shit in the house, jump on you, don’t listen, etc.
We had a black male Chow. He was very affectionate and loving. We could never find a groomer that would groom him, because they said they’re known to be aggressive. He loved it when we would comb him and brush him, he would just lay on his side and fall asleep. When you put out your arms he would come over to you and lay on you so you could hug him. Very lovable.
I’d hope you’d take it to a trainer before you took the easy way out and killed it. Just saying.
i found a german shepard halfdead and seriously wounded. So i brought her home and she was very sweet and 2 weeks later she was back on her feet she grew on me so i kept her. Best dog i EVER had she was extremely obediant and very protective of me she would let anyone come close but if anything wanted to harm me she’d kill it/them.
Having owned dogs for over 50 years I can speak from experience. Rotties like any breed need firm, loving owners. I do find how ever that mixed breeds tend to make the best companions.I would also put rescued dogs at the top of the list too.
Papillons? Really? “standoffish to strangers” doesn’t equal “Most Aggressive Dog Breed.”
I never thought that dog doesn’t have the same attitudes. It is kind of interesting to know those facts.
You can add Staffordshire Bull Terriers to the list of ‘bad image’, they are the most gentle breed I’ve ever seen with kids, incredibly tolerant of being pinched and pulled and generally annoyed and when it eventually gets too much they just go and hide somewhere.
The only problem is that they don’t like other dogs very much, but that’s not really the point of the article.
The comments about German Shepherds are interesting because in my 40 years of owning dogs and interacting with other dog owners, I would say that Shepherds and Alsatians are the dog most likely to bite strangers suddenly for no reason. Especially when they get older, they can be very intolerant.
I can say for sure that I see more muzzled Shepherds than any other breed in my local park.
And Kami, you don’t go murdering an animal just because your are too ignorant or lazy to fix the problems you probably caused.
If you can’t deal with it, give it away or take it to a shelter or something. You talk about your dog like it’s a pair of shoes you no longer like. That’s just awful.
lol, what a load of crap
I have a 14 yr old rottie and she is the sweetest thing, even in her old age. my son dresses her in his clothes and the neighbors baby has stuck his fingers in her nose and closely inspected her feet. Not once has she even flinched. In addition to her I have a japenese akida and he is full of energy. We walk several miles every day. When i take him to the dog parks to run and play with other dogs people are afraid to let him near thier dogs. He gets along great with other dogs and doesn’t seem to mind our reptiles either.
WOW!!!
you don’t have the slightest clue about dogs… if you meet an aggressive dog, 95% of the time it’s the owners fault…
WOW!!!
You apparently miss the point. This is just a list of dog breeds that tend to be agressive. It’s not saying every dog in this list is going to savage you if you look at it funny.
I agree that Rottweilers are very protective of their owners. I didn’t know that Cocker Spaniels often suffer from rage syndrome. My friend’s cocker spaniel did bite a stranger once because he is trying to pet him while he was eating.
The dog on the last picture seems for me to be a Chin , instead a Pekingese?
Or am I wrong?
Rotties are one of my absolute favorite breeds, I’v known many, and never even seen one on the street that knew it had the power to hurt anyone. We had a 4 year old female that used to love a baby cousin of mine, until one day my cousin grabbed my dogs tongue, and pulled it about a foot (or at least thats what it seemed like) out of her head. The dog didn’t do anything but sit there whining with her mouth wide open and eyes squeezed shut haha. she always kept her head far away from babies after that!
Depending on the owners and the correct form of training, Rotties are lovely pets to have. I have one, and he’s simply a big mush, as well as wonderful with the kids.
This information really helped me, I am sharing with a few friends.
Up until 5 years ago I was petrified of dogs. Any dog, big or small that I didn’t know I would cross the street to avoid. I was attacked by a German Shepard when I ws 6 – paws on shoulders, pinned me to ground but he was pulled off before he could get a munch of my neck. He got a swipe with his paws though which still cut me. I overcame my fear and now have a lovely chocolate labrador. I would never get a GS though, the mistrust is there and I doubt will ever go away.
One thing about the Staff Terrier and not liking other dogs – definately, as one went for my lab’s throat when he was just a pup and out on one of his first walks. No provocation just went for him.
However I do believe thoroughly in good training and discipline and that any dog has a chance when treated properly.
I take offense when everyone says that pitbulls are the most aggresive dogs, because i have 4 and they are the sweetest dogs in the world. Dogs become aggresive if you let them. everyone needs to stop discriminating against pitbulls.
re: Dachshunds. i definitely disagree that they should be on this list. my wife and i have 3 of these lovely hounds. they all sleep with our children, they sleep the whole day, they’re hardly useful for guarding the house and make great huggies when we’re on the sofa. not once did any of them snap or bark or bite.
Rottweilers are the most aggressive dogs of all dogs…I have heard that once they start biting a person or an animal, it won’t stop until they are dead. Rottweilers are also very defensive about their master and thus are very aggressive about strangers and non-family members
This has to be the worse made up list with little facts i have ever seen.well said George, Dachshunds are loving dogs who love people. pittbulls can be aggressive but in general are good dogs.Rottweilers are very docile but are used in security and have bad press.Alsatians if not trained can be extremely dangerous but highly trained are used in military and police .Any dog can be dangerous if not trained correctly.The writer got paid for this shit should be shot .
The most dangerous dog is the one owned by an irresponsible owner.
There are unsound dogs of all breeds. There’s no such a thing as an inherently vicious breed.
Seems to me I read about a really huge and often vicious dog preferred by the Russian mafia for guard duty and general intimidation. Did not find it on the AKC list of breeds. Anyone know what I am talking about?
German Shepards are only aggressive if trained to be. The dog that attacked you when you were 6 was probably trained to be that way. I have a 3 yr old GS and shes the sweetest thing. she is afraid of everything including my 9 week old kitten.
I’ve owned a pitbull for six years. At the dog park he gets followed and attacked by small dogs. He never fights back but runs to my side. He was attacked by a large rottie in cape Cod. He kept on getting bit because I would call him to me, he would come, and the rottie would keep biting him in the butt as it did not listen to its master.
Pit Bulls are one of the top rated dogs with children and are quite passive by nature, due to its need to please its owner. That’s why they are great fighting dogs because they do it to please their owner. Being from Brooklyn, I come across hundreds of pitbulls a year ranging in size upward of 90 pounds. But, for the most part, they are caring and loving.
Little dogs suck!
Pitbulls are by far the meanest dogs i have a couple, and i have been bit by them, but i went to close to her babies. Pitbulls arent bad dogs they can really be a bad dog and they can be very good. By the way they are very good with children and sometimes cats they just have to be raised with cats. another thing they can be inside dogs so take them to petsmart and get them trained or do it yourself.when i lived in portland my dad had 12 dogs at once. never got bit by anyone of them.
just know pitbulls are great dogs.
Its not the dog its the owner
I agree that pit bulls generally tend to be gentle and loving pets and are definitely covered the most in the news! I do not agree w/ the last post that pit bulls are the meanest breed. Any breed can be fiercly aggressive but with training and socialization any dog can be a well behaved angel. I have worked for several vets and from experience, the most naturally aggressive dogs are always the little ones. People tend to spend less time and effort on training and social behavior with the smaller breeds.
I have had two rotties. First one was fight dog rescue and the second was a dumb owner rescue. Both where easy to retrain. Never had a problem with kids or cats . I only had one situation when a guy walk up to me and my wife and pulled a knife on us. I hit him in the head with a rock because my dog wanted to get him and I didn’t want her put down for attacking a human. My first rottie resides in Idaho as a farm dog and my second is sleeping right next to me….snoring. I think the most aggressive breed ever is human.