Common Characteristics of Dangerous Breeds

Any dog can bite or attack, and any dog can cause injuries. Even a quick look at dog breeds, however, demonstrates that some breeds can cause more damage than others.

The combination of dogs’ innate qualities and their training can make some breeds more dangerous than others. Dog breeds are associated with certain common traits. For example, Labradors have a keen sense of smell, while German Shepherds are known for their intelligence. Some dog breeds, such as pit bulls, can have more aggressive tendencies. Understanding the common characteristics of dangerous breeds can help minimize the risk of dog bites and dog attacks.

What Makes a Dog Dangerous?

Three qualities combine to affect how dangerous a dog’s attack is:

• The dog’s size and strength. Large dogs with a strong bite can cause more damage more quickly than small dogs with smaller jaws. Even an adult human may be quickly overpowered by some of the strongest, largest dog breeds. However, don’t discount small dogs – even the smallest breeds have jaws and teeth that can do serious damage.
• The dog’s training. In the wild, dogs live in a social hierarchy. They look to their leader for instructions and approval. Humans have used this natural tendency to train dogs for many purposes. However, this tendency is a double-edged sword: a dog may be trained to tolerate and obey humans, or it may be trained to act aggressively. Dogs that are trained to fight pose a greater danger. A dog with little or no training must rely on its own instincts, which can also lead to serious injuries. 
• The dog’s innate characteristics. Over the centuries, humans have bred dogs to perform dozens of different tasks. These range from digging (terriers) to retrieving prey (retrievers) to being cuddly companions (spaniels). Some dogs have been bred to be vigilant and act quickly when they sense danger; German shepherds and Rottweilers fall in this category. The innate characteristics of the dog’s breed affect how it responds in an unfamiliar situation – including the likelihood that it will attack or bite. 

These characteristics all interact with one another. An experienced trainer, for instance, can teach a dog and its owners how to manage a dog whose breed makes it innately aggressive, suspicious, or stubborn. A dog whose breed tends to be more laid-back may become more likely to bite if lack of training or prior maltreatment leaves the dog confused or scared when strangers approach. 

While some dog breeds are more commonly identified as dangerous, a study of dog attacks in Berlin found that “a dog’s breed is not identical with the dangerousness of an individual dog.” A similar study, published in 2019, found that training reduces a wide range of behavioral problems in dogs.

With proper training, dogs typically:

• Jump on their owners and other people less often – reducing the risk that the dog will knock a person over, scratch them, or cause other injuries. 
• Pull on their leash when out in public – reducing the risk that the dog will break the leash or escape their owner’s control, which increases the risk the dog will cause injuries. 
• Obey commands promptly – increasing an owner’s ability to control the dog’s behavior before it results in injuries. 

The study found that training reduces other undesirable dog behaviors as well, such as relieving themselves indoors. 

Owners can take additional precautions. Always walking a dog on a leash, installing secure fencing, and keeping the dog away from new visitors can help prevent injuries.

Types of Dangerous Breeds

Dog breeds more likely to bite or attack others are commonly identified as dangerous. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Akitas, Huskies, chows and wolf-hybrids often fall into this category.

Pit bulls and Rottweilers have a reputation for being the top two most dangerous dog breeds. Together, they account for 76 percent of fatal dog attacks in the United States. Pit bulls have been known to attack both children and adults, often without warning. Although pit bulls comprised just 6 percent of dogs nationwide, they were responsible for 65 percent of dog-related deaths from 2005 to 2020.

German Shepherds are also among the dog breeds most likely to attack. Their protective nature as guard dogs can lead them to hurt others without the intention to cause harm. While German Shepherds are trainable, they can have separation anxiety and possessiveness issues. Mastiffs are also often used as guard dogs. Given their powerful body, the force of a bite can result in serious injuries.

Wolf hybrids such as huskies are another dangerous dog breed. Because they cannot be easily domesticated like other breeds, these dogs can pose a threat without proper training. They can be aggressive and possessive when seeking to establish their dominance.

Identifying Common Characteristics of Dangerous Breeds

Dangerous dog breeds share certain general characteristics. In terms of physical build, they have the potential to cause serious injuries due to their large size, agility, muscular legs, and powerful jaws. Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers, for example, can weigh 75 pounds or more as adults.

Dangerous dog breeds can also be stubborn and independent, as well as untrustworthy with other dogs. Many dogs identified as dangerous breeds were historically bred for fighting, guarding, and hunting. Pit bulls and other game dogs were prized for their high prey drive, which allowed them to excel in blood sports.

Some of the most dangerous dogs can be loyal companions, proving to be popular breeds for domestication. Although the tendency to fight has been bred out of many dogs, it is still present in others, either inadvertently or on purpose. Besides physical characteristics, training also plays a role in how dangerous a dog can be. Unfortunately, some owners still train their dogs to be aggressive and even to fight.

Many people question the assumption that some dog breeds are more dangerous than others. An important thing to remember is that while certain dogs may seem more aggressive, there is no reason to fear an entire breed.

Each dog has a unique personality. Even dogs not traditionally bred for aggressive behaviors, such as Golden Retrievers, have been responsible for deadly attacks. Additionally, your actions have the potential to be misunderstood as threatening, no matter the dog breed.

Safety Tips for Preventing Dog Bites

People who live or work around dogs can take precautions to reduce the risk of dog bites. Here are some steps pet owners and others can take to prevent dog attacks that cause painful injuries:

• Socialize your dog: Regularly introducing your dog to other people and animals can help it feel at ease in different situations. Socialize puppies in a safe, non-threatening environment, making sure they have positive interactions with others.
• Be a responsible dog owner: Make sure to use a leash in public so that your dog does not get out of your control. Start training your dog as soon as possible and ensure it gets regular exercise. With proper training, even a dangerous dog breed can grow up to be well-behaved.
• Avoid risky situations: Do not disturb dogs that are playing with a toy, growling, sleeping, eating or caring for puppies. Otherwise, they could be provoked into attacking.
• Recognize a dog’s body language: A dog’s vocalizations and behaviors can give helpful clues about their feelings. Watch for any signs that indicate the dog is feeling frightened, stressed or threatened.
• Do not approach an unfamiliar dog: Avoid petting a dog if its owner is not around. If an unfamiliar dog approaches you, do not run, panic or make loud noises. Refrain from making direct eye contact with the dog. Wait for it to pass or slowly back away.
• Be extra cautious with children: Do not let small children play with a dog unsupervised, even when visiting someone’s home. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of dog bite injuries is highest for children ages 5 to 9. In general, dog attacks on children are more common because they cannot identify warning signs.

It’s important to remember that, while proper training can reduce the risk of dog bites and attacks, it does not eliminate that risk. Even the most well-trained dog will defend itself if it feels threatened. 

What dogs define as “threatening” may differ from what humans consider threatening. For instance, a human may simply want to pet a dog’s cute puppies – but the dog may fear that the human will cause harm to the puppies. Acting instinctually to protect the puppies in that moment, the dog may bite.

Contact a Dog Bite Attorney at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg

Dog bites can cause severe injuries, ongoing pain, and dangerous secondary infections. In rare cases, a dog bite can prove fatal. Those who experience dog bites must live with both the physical damage and the psychological trauma.

If you or a loved one was injured due to a dog bite, contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg right away. Our experienced Chicago dog bite attorneys can help you obtain compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and other related costs.