Aggressive Dog Breeds You Should Know Before Bringing One Home
Before anything else is said, it is important to establish that nothing in this discussion is intended to demonize any specific dog breed. It's very possible for all of the breeds we're about to discuss to be perfectly happy, healthy, and peaceful additions to a family.
As the saying goes, "There are no bad dogs, only bad owners." Early training and socialization with humans and other animals are key to ensuring they grow up to be the best possible version of themselves. It's just that this training is more essential for some breeds than others and the consequences of neglecting this step can be a lot worse when these specific breeds rely purely on instinct.
Rough Collie
At first glance, this seems like sacrilege. Collies are famously dependable family dogs that have the intelligence, loving nature, and fearlessness to protect a family's most precious and smallest members. All of that is true, but it's also a perfect demonstration of how important training and socialization is.
After all, protection involves engaging or warding off threats to the ones you love. And if a Collie struggles to distinguish between those loved ones' friends and foes, that's a real problem. That's because a 2021 study in Scientific Reports noted that based on the behavioral data the researchers obtained from 13,715 dogs, Rough Collies had the highest probability for aggressive behavior.
Miniature Poodle
The case of the Miniature Poodle illustrates why the difference between a potentially dangerous dog breed and an aggressive dog breed matters. Although a Saint Bernard is physically strong enough to cause some serious damage if it wanted to, that sort of behavior would be incredibly atypical for the breed.
On the flip side, a miniature poodle isn't likely to do life-changing damage when it gets aggressive, but that won't necessarily stop that aggression from becoming an issue. Since the 2021 study in Scientific Reports considered the Miniature Poodle a breed with one of the highest probabilities of aggressive behavior they studied, early training is important to a stress-free life with one.
Miniature Schnauzer
Small dogs often have a reputation of being more aggressive than large dogs, as they have a lot more leeway to show these traits since they're not typically as dangerous when things go bad. While the Miniature Schnauzer may be a cute companion that loves kids, it still lives up to this reputation.
Indeed, those were the findings of the 2021 study in Scientific Reports, which ranked this breed third in probability for aggression. Although that's more likely to cause annoyance than any life-changing incidents, it's worth being aware of.
German Shepherd
Considering how often German shepherds are employed as police dogs and military combatants, it's perhaps not the most surprising revelation to learn how aggressive they can be. With the right training, those aggressive tendencies can be channelled into constructive purposes.
However, there doesn't seem to be any denying them. The 2021 study in Scientific Reports put German shepherds in the top five of breeds considered the most likely to show aggressive tendencies.
Rottweiler
Although it's hard to deny that Rottweilers have a fearsome reputation, there's much more nuance to how their aggressive patterns tend top unfold than the idea that they'll attack whoever, whenever, and for whatever reason. Nonetheless, the law firm Herbert Trial Law found that research conducted on fatal dog attacks over a period of 13 years showed 10% of those attacks as inflicted by Rottweilers.
While it's very common for Rottweilers to be sweetly loving and fiercely protective of the family they live with, it can be hard for them not to realize they don't need to protect that family from their own invited guests.
American Bulldog
Although both British and French bulldogs are known for their cuddly personalities (and health problems resulting from their long histories of selective breeding), the American Bulldog is typically characterized differently. They're much more likely to be sturdy work animals, but that can work against them as well.
Although Herbert Trial Law noted that fatal attacks by American bulldogs have been rarer than with some other breeds, they were nonetheless at the center of 3.5% of fatal dog attacks over the 13 years studied.
Bullmastiff
Much like with Rottweilers, a Bullmastiff's family will not have to worry about any direct harm from the breed's aggressive tendencies. That's because this dog is prized for its alert, fearless protection of the family who welcomes it.
However, that only makes it clearer how important socialization is, as an improperly trained Bullmastiff could do a lot of damage after assuming someone innocent is a threat. According to Herbert Trial Law, Bullmastiffs were at the center of 3.2% of fatal dog attacks over the 13-year study period.
Spanish Water Dog
Spanish Water Dogs are shaggy, fluffy, and very cute, but looks can be deceiving if they haven't been appropriately socialized. As it turns out, this dog can get surprisingly aggressive when its most problematic traits are left to fester.
That's why the 2021 study in Scientific Reports put them in the top five for probability of aggression. In some ways, the Spanish Water Dog can be even more aggressive than the German Shepherd despite their respective reputations.
Lagotto
The Lagotta is another case where just because a dog looks fluffy and adorable, that doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be friendly. Although they can be very affectionate towards their families and other dogs, they're more powerful than they look.
Among dogs, it's not unusual for their power to go hand-in-hand with aggressive tendencies and the Lagotto is no exception. According to the 2021 study in Scientific Reports, the breed scored high on its probability of aggressive behavior, putting it in similar company to German Shepherds and Spanish Water Dogs.
Chinese Crested
When a dog is small, adorable, and fancy enough to excel at dog shows like the Chinese Crested dog pictured here is, it's hard for some people not to want one immediately. While it's not fair to say that they'll necessarily regret that decision, they may regret not being prepared.
That's because this breed is known to have some aggressive tendencies if it isn't properly trained. Indeed, the 2021 study in Scientific Reports indicated that Chinese Crested dogs had similar probabilities of aggression to German Shepherds, Lagottos, and Spanish Water Dogs.
Mittelspitz
Also known as a German Spitz Mittel, this dog is a specific variant of the wider Spitz umbrella, which often features breeds that appear in larger sizes. As the size changes, so do the common personality traits, as these larger Spitzes are often considered pretty docile.
The same cannot necessarily be said for the Mittelspitz, though. According to the 2021 study in Scientific Reports, this breed is in the top ten for probability of aggressive behavior. Although they don't tend to be as aggressive as German Shepherds or Chinese Crested dogs, they're still on the high end.
Siberian Husky
Although it's not uncommon to find that Siberian Huskies are loving dogs who just need a lot of exercise, the breed's strong survival instincts can end up working against it when those needs aren't met. Unfortunately, this can be true even if the dog in question doesn't have a history of aggression.
Acccording to Herbert Trial Law, Siberian Huskies were at the center of 3% of fatal dog attacks over the 13 years studied. As affectionate as they can be, they should also be handled with care.
Doberman Pinscher
Doberman Pinschers already have a vicious reputation, which is informed by how destructive their sleek, muscular bodies can be when they feel threatened. Indeed, that vicious tendency has paid off for a lot of people, as they're a very reliable choice for guard dogs.
Since they're essentially bred to attack (that's what the "pinscher" description refers to), it's not exactly surprising that they would be a notoriously aggressive breed. Still, it is possible for that reputation to be overblown because Herbert Trial Law, as this dog was at the center of six deaths throughout the 13-year study period. One is too many but six is just over 1% of all studied cases.
Akita
Although Herbert Trial Law noted that Akitas weren't on the high-end of involvement in fatal dog attacks, the firm nonetheless shared compelling evidence that this breed can get aggressive easily. Akitas have strong protective instincts but their stubbornness and tendency to fight with other dogs makes this a breed to exercise caution around.
Citing a 32-year review by Animals 24-7, Herbert Trial Law described Akitas as the third most likely breed to bite without provocation. That's likely why some states have legislation restricting ownership of this breed.
Coton De Tulear
The Coton De Tulear may not be the most intimidating dog, but this breed also isn't doing much to dispel the common perception of small dogs being more aggressive than larger breeds.
Although the Coton De Tulear is neither the most dangerous nor the most aggressive dog breed in the world, the 2021 study in Scientific Reports noted that its probability for aggressive behavior is still on the high end. Indeed, it's in the research team's top ten for most aggressive breeds.
Wheaten Terrier
Terriers generally have a reputation for being strong-willed and stubborn. Although some — like the Cesky Terrier — are considered on the more laid-back side, none of them are completely without their strong sense of independence.
That seems to be more true of the Wheaten Terrier than in some similar breeds, as the 2021 study in Scientific Reports noted that this dog is within the top ten of breeds for probability of aggressive behavior. It may not do a lot of damage but that's still worth knowing.
Boxer
Much like Bullmastiffs or Rottweilers, Boxers can be deeply loving family dogs who that family's youngest children can feel adorably safe around. In the same respect as those other breeds however, early training and socialization of Boxers can make a world of difference for how they treat everybody else.
Although Herbert Trial Law noted that this breed has been at the center of about 1% of fatal dog attacks in the 13-year study period, there are far more instances of recorded non-fatal bites. It's a muscular and protective dog, which can cause problems when that protection is too overzealous.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Considering how important they are to the British Royal Family and how happy they always look, it's fair to say that Pembroke Welsh Corgis are hardly the first dog anybody thinks of when aggressive breeds come to mind. In fairness to them, that's partially because they aren't considered the most aggressive breed out there.
However, that doesn't suddenly mean they're easygoing. According to the 2021 study in Scientific Reports, this breed is on the higher end in terms of probability for aggressive behavior. There's just a great deal of variation in how they behave depending on their level of training.
Cairn Terrier
Although many dog breeds listed among the 2021 study in Scientific Reports can be considered on the high end of probability for aggressive behavior, there are a couple that can be considered on the borderline between aggressive and docile.
While it wouldn't be accurate to call Cairn Terriers the most aggressive breed out there, it would still be a little misleading to call them laid-back. Even among terriers, breeds like the Jack Russell Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier, and the Cesky Terrier are considered calmer breeds.
Border Collie
Although that's not the reason for its name, the Border Collie is appropriately on the borderline between laid-back and aggressive dogs, as the 2021 study in Scientific Reports ranked them similarly to Cairn Terriers. Much like Rough Collies, this dog can be one of the best breeds a family could want with proper training and socialization.
However, it can share the Rough Collie's tendency of being overprotective and too quick to consider visitors intruders if that training doesn't occur. While the research shows that this is true to a lesser extent than the Rough Collie, it's still wise not to neglect a proper regimen with Border Collies.