Dogs are lovable and fiercely loyal animals and they, more often than not, provide comfort and protection to their owners. It then comes as a surprise to many when we hear about cases of Dogs attacking and severely injuring humans. Dogs, despite the efforts put in domestication, remain animals and that instinct is what comes to the fore sometimes. Depending on the animal’s upbringing, temperament and circumstances, any Dog can be a threat.
However, there are some Dog breeds that have the potential to cause more harm than others, based on their size, weight and other physical and behavioral characteristics.
Listed below in no particular order are some Dangerous Dog breeds that could cause serious damage:
1. Siberian Husky
Huskies are a popular breed of domesticated dog. They originated as sled dogs in the Northern regions.
Although, they are friendly, outgoing and eager to please, Huskies can be really stubborn and require intensive training and attention. Their strong predatory instinct makes them dangerous to smaller animals.
2. Chow Chow
Beneath the cute appearance and attractive mane, lies a potentially dangerous Dog. Chow Chow Dogs originated in East Asia and are one of the most ancient Dog breeds in existence. They are commonly referred to as “puffy-lion dog” due to the presence of a mane on their faces.
This breed of dogs requires lots of attention, socialization and physical exercise to prevent aggressive behavior in the future. They also have powerful jaws like a lion, with a bite force of 220 PSI (Pounds per square inch).
3. Doberman Pinscher
Admired for their alertness, loyalty and intelligence, this breed of dog is considered the best guard dog in the world. They are used as police dogs and exhibit fierce aggression to strangers and other dogs.
Their aggression, due to their size and strength, makes them potentially very dangerous. They are quite capable of killing a human.
4. Alaskan Malamute
Weighing almost 50 kg, Malamutes are one of the largest domesticated dogs. They were originally used as sled dogs and for carrying very heavy loads.
Malamutes are natural hunters and have been known to kill large predators such as bears. Without leadership, they might believe they are in charge and can become dangerous pets. Calming them once they become agitated is a herculean task.
5. Pit Bull
A very popular breed of strong dogs, most times accountable for cases of attacking humans. This breed is a result of the combination of a Terrier’s energy and agility with the strength and body build of a bulldog.
In some countries, Pit Bulls are used in dog fights where the dogs are trained to fight to the death.
6. Caucasian Shepherd
Also known as the Caucasian Ovcharka, this dog can grow above sizes of 50 kg. They originated from Russia and were originally used as guard dogs for protecting livestock from predators such as wolves.
Caucasian Shepherds are very powerful and confident. These traits can lead to them becoming aggressive and dangerous when not trained properly.
7. German Shepherd
The German shepherd is widely regarded as one of the most intelligent, alert, vigilant and confident dog breeds in the world. They are used by the Police force as K-9 units.
Strangers encountering a German Shepherd should exercise caution and restraint as they can become very overprotective of their territory and family. If not trained properly, they might go on to attack.
8. Wolfdog
This dog breed is a hybrid of a domestic dog and a wolf. Wolfdogs are a controversial breed and are prohibited in some parts of the world.
They exhibit unpredictable behavior which stems from the fact they are a mix of wild animals and common dogs. Wolfdogs may have fear-induced aggressive tendencies, which can be hard to control. They have a powerful bite force of 406 PSI.
9. Tosa Inu
Tosa Inu dogs are specifically created to be fighting dogs. They are so deadly, they’ve been banned in several countries, most notably, Australia.
Although, not frequently seem, they are considered very dangerous. The average height for these dogs falls between 24.5 to 32 inches.
10. Rottweiler
A fearsome reputation precedes Rottweilers. They are one of the oldest breeds of dogs.
Rottweilers are very intelligent and aggressive by nature and serve well as guard dogs. They are responsible for almost half of deaths caused by dog attacks around the world.