Most Vicious Dog Breeds

It’s beneficial for families to research different dog breeds before they adopt and add a new member to the household. Unfortunately, some families wind up choosing a dog without knowing anything about a breed, including its temperament, typical health and exercise needs, and its legality in their jurisdiction.

Lists like the one below share the dog breeds that are considered to be the most vicious. However, any dog can be dangerous when breeders and owners do not train their dogs responsibly.

Dog Breeds Considered the Most Vicious

1. Pit bull: Considered by many to be the most dangerous of all dog breeds, the pit bull possesses powerful jaws that do not release instantly. Pit bulls are associated with fighting, but proper socialization and training from a young age can avoid a vicious personality in these dogs.
2. Rottweilers: A Rottweiler needs a good trainer with patience that can stay attentive to the dog’s sometimes aggressive reactions, especially around strangers. Rottweilers are known to be territorial dogs and when taught properly, can be good watchdogs and close companions to family members.
3. German Shepherds: Known as intelligent, athletic dogs and often used by police and military, the German Shepherd needs proper socialization to avoid aggressiveness with strangers. If given plenty of affection, German Shepherds can be loyal, loving dogs.
4. Doberman Pinscher: The Doberman is instinctively protective of owners but are very receptive to commands and thus trainable to not overreact to a stranger they deem a threat.
5. Bullmastiff: The bullmastiff is a massive dog breed that weighs up to 130 pounds as an adult. They possess a lot of muscle and make great guard dogs. Training makes the difference in curbing the aggressiveness of a bullmastiff; with proper socialization, this breed can become a gentle giant in the family.
6. Alaskan Malamute: Alaskan malamutes are a relatively uncommon breed that look similar to Siberian huskies. They’re a sociable breed, but have a high prey drive that must be controlled when being brought up.
7. Wolf hybrid: Known to be erratic and aggressive, wolfdogs can display viciousness like the wild breeds they were bred from. In California, it is only legal to keep a wolf-dog hybrid of F3 level or higher, which means a wild wolf has to be a great-great grandparent of the dog or a generation further back.
8. Boxer: The Boxer makes an ideal family pet from their playful nature, though they have a powerful bite along with their muscular bodies. Boxer owners should be mindful about supervising their dog and avoiding triggers that might make a Boxer react poorly.
9. Great Dane: This enormous dog breed can reach 150 pounds and are the tallest you’ll find on this list, but are generally good-natured. A Great Dane owner needs to be in control of their dog or else it might knock over people who appear to threaten their territory.
10. American bulldog: Smaller in stature than many of the larger dogs in this list of vicious breeds, bulldogs need careful training because of their strength and protectiveness.

Contact Our California Dog Bite Lawyers

Our dog bite attorneys recommend doing your research into a dog breed you’re considering adding to your household. Always consider how the breed might deal with children or other animals.