World’s Riskiest Dog Breeds to Bring Home

No matter where you land on the subject of nature versus nurture you have to realize that statistically certain dogs are more prone to violence than others. Now, we agree that a well trained dog will be a beautiful creature no matter what breed it is, but unfortunately not all dogs get the right dog obedience training and a dog that isn’t trained properly is dangerous, irrespective of size. So we decided to go through some dog breeds that need consideration before you bring them home.

Tibetian Mastiff

The Tibetian Mastiff is that of an ancient Tibetian breed. They are primarily used as a livestock guardian and shepherd. The tribes of Himachai Pradesh use these dogs to protect their property from bears, wolves and leopards. You need to be firm and set boundaries, introduce your dog to other dogs at an early age and make sure to give them lots of exercise.

Dogue De Bordeaux

The Dogue De Bordeaux, or French Mastiff, is just a regular working dog, that was bred in the Bordeaux region from the 14th century and has had many working roles. To this day, farmers have used them to cart produce and heavy materials. In American municipalities, this dog is the most banned.

Wolf Hybrid

It’s no secret that all dogs are descendants of wolves, however most of the dogs of this century are still directly crossbred with wolves. Dogs that bred with these wild animals can be too unpredictable and wiry. Some states say that it is illegal to own a wolf hybrid.

Boxers

The Boxer is one of the big dogs that we see most commonly associated with violence and danger right alongside Pittbulls and Rottweilers. Boxers are descended from Germany where they were bred for hunting. With short hair, a large frame, and strong jaws it was all the more obvious why these creatures were such a success at their job as hunters. Despite being considered a dangerous breed, Boxers are still one of the top 10 most popular breeds of dogs in America. Not notorious for having bad tempers, Boxers are powerful and headstrong enough to become dangerous when not pushed through the proper dog training schools.

Caucasian Ovcharka

The Caucasian Ovcharka is a lesser known breed that has been heralded for its fierce loyalty and ability to be trained in several different facets. The Ovcharka is a Shepherd type of breed that has been historically used for the protection of livestock from other predators. The Ovcharka is ferocious in its duties and will routinely snap at strangers or people it perceives to be a threat. In order to own a Caucasian Ovcharka you must commit yourself to training them from a young age and ensuring that the dog gets proper socializing rules instill early on. If trained properly the Ovcharka can be a wonderful addition to your house.

Alaskan Malamutes

The Alaskan Malamute is a hard dog to peg as violent when you look at the best of the breed. Malamutes are fluffy, big boned dogs that weigh in at around 100 pounds and just love to expend energy playing and cuddling. With this energy, however, comes the potential for danger when not properly trained. Malamutes are slow learners and they have boundless need for play time, being run, and being trained. You have to be patient with these dogs and commit to getting them to learn properly or else you’ll have problems on your hand as they grow older and larger. When the Malamute doesn’t let its energy out in a positive way that is when you run into aggression issues.

The Moscow Watchdog

The Moscow Watchdog is a cross between a Saint Bernard, a Caucasian Shepherd and a Caucasian Ovcharka. This doggie looks a lot like a big bear. They are often referred to as the Giant Protector, they were breed in the Soviet Union for military guard duty.

Great Dane

Great Danes are considered dangerous primarily due to their size. Great Danes can weigh in over 200 lbs and they can stand, on back legs, as tall as a full grown adult human. They have a prolific need for exercise and care and they require a disciplined owner to reach their potential. Great Danes startle easily and respond poorly to harsh training. Anxiety issues are a problem for this breed and over exertion and anxiety can even cause them to die. So you have to have a firm but gentle hand when training a Great Dane or else you run the risk of rebellion or death.

Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher used to be utilized as a police dog but the practice has since been phased out due to how aggressive they can be when dealing with strangers. Doberman’s are incredibly loyal and loving to their owner but their ability and propensity to snap at new dogs or people causes them to be considered dangerous. Doberman’s are bigger dogs with strong jaws and narrow heads. Though deaths related to Doberman Pinscher’s have gone down their reputation still remains.

Huskies

Huskies are probably our favorite dog on this list purely from the perspective of their appearance. Huskies are fluffy and typically have striking eyes to go along with a gorgeous color pattern. Huskies are well trained animals who can be both fiercely loyal and incredibly secure when properly trained. However, Huskies can routinely not be given the training that they need in order to become safe, productive, loving dogs for families.Huskies are kind to children and smaller breeds of dogs despite some statistics.

Jack Russell Terrier

If you remember the show Frasier then you remember his pet Jack Russell Terrier, named Moose. These dogs were bred to take on foxes and vermin underground. If these doggies get bored or are not properly socialized then they get a bit dangerous. They also never back down from a fight no matter who the opponent.

German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is one of the most common and popular dogs in North America, but they are also one of the most dangerous breeds on this list. German Shepherds are known for their size, striking color pattern, and proficiency in several service areas including work as police dogs. German Shepherds are enormously strong with a biting force of 1,060 newtons. High energy and the tendency to attack smaller animals can make the German Shepherd a dangerous breed to have around the home.

Bull Terriers

Bull Terriers will immediately remind people of their larger Pitbull brethren. Bull Terriers are most widely known for their white skin, egg shaped heads, long snout, and squat bodies. Though Bull Terriers aren’t exceptionally aggressive, they have shown the tendency to incite altercations with other dogs at a higher rate than companion breeds. This aggression is thanks in large part to their ‘prey drive’ which leads them to want confrontation with animals smaller than themselves. When raised right Bull Terriers are loving security dogs who have a knack for hunting, as well.

Boerboel

You wouldn’t want to run into a vicious Boerboel in the dead of night. The Boerboel is a South African Mastiff that was bred in order to help protect family homes and farmland. As such the Boerboel is a large breed that is attentive and capable of dealing out damage to anyone it deems a threat. Boerboels are known for being fiercely loyal while also being strong enough to take out wild game almost on their own. As is the case with any large and aggressive dog, poor training can sour the breed and turn them into a nightmare to deal with. If you want to own a Boerboel then you need to ensure that its natural aggressiveness is finely tuned with professional training.

Rottweilers

Ranking in at third on our list is the popular Rottweiler. Rottweilers were originally bred with the purpose of herding livestock and helping to pull carts of butchered meat all throughout markets centuries ago. We’ve also seen Rotts become popular service dogs in various industries: guide dogs, rescue dogs, and even police dogs. Due to their size, weighing in up to 130lbs, and aggressive nature the Rottweiler has become a common dog in the world of fight rings as well. Unfortunately, when sweet Rottweiler pups are raised incorrectly all of their strength and energy can begin to turn in a bad way, turning them into dangerous killing machines instead of loving protectors. Still, the CDC has found that Rottweilers are not overly aggressive toward their owners and fellow dogs but that they did exhibit aggression surplus toward strangers. From a period that spanned 1993 to 1996 the Rottweiler and Pitbull made up 60% of human fatalities in dog related incidents despite making up only a small portion of the dog ownership in the US at the time.

Dogo Argentino

When it comes to fighting dogs the Dogo Argentino is in a class of its own. Otherwise known as the Argentine Mastiff, this large animal can weigh upwards of 100 pounds while standing at 27 inches in height. The Dogo Argentino is considered a ‘gamebreed’ in that the breed was initially started for the purpose of fighting large animals, including wild boar. The Dogo Argentino is a committed and trainable pet that can be dangerous when left in the hands of a careless owner.

Cane Corso

The Cane Corso is also known as the Italian Mastiff and it is one of the largest dogs in the world. The Cane Corso is known for being tall, well muscled, and very alert when trained properly. The Cane Corso is considered one fo the last coursing Mastiffs in the world and it has direct relations to the Canis Pugnax, the Roman dogs of ancient warfare. The Cane Corso is highly trainable, very intelligent, and very strong. The Corso is headstrong enough and pain tolerant enough that electric fences routinely fail to slow the breed down. If you do end up finding yourself owning a Cane Corso then you must be prepared to train the dog properly while giving it enough attention to make sure that its energy never turns to destructive means.

Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback comes to us by way of South Africa. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are intensely intelligent and very trainable when left in the hands of a willing and capable owner. The Ridgeback is a hunting dog and thus they are entirely strong willed and tuned into chasing down their prey. You need to be prepared to give your Ridgeback plenty of attention, training, and exercise in order to ensure that its natural energy doesn’t turn on you. The Ridgeback can be considered a danger to other pets when left in the possession of an owner who is not willing to expend enough time to train the animal.

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is probably the most popular dog in the world. The face of the Labrador is almost synonymous with ‘family pet’ so it should surprise you to see the popular breed make our list of dangerous breeds. Unfortunately the Labrador makes our list almost solely by way of math. Being one of the most popular dogs in the world, the Labrador ends up in the hands of far more bad owners than any other breed on our list. Bad owners can take the Labrador’s naturally even tempered and intelligent nature and turn it into an animal that is hard to be around and dangerous by way of biting.

Tosa Inu

The Tosa Inu comes to our list by way of its breeding origin in Japan. The Tosa Inu was originally bred in order to be a fighting dog in various faculties, both legal and illegal, throughout Asia. The breed was first started in the 19th century as breeders mixed large European dogs like the Mastiff or Saint Bernard with the Shikoku-Inu. The result of these breeding lines is the Tosa, which is a 31 inch tall dog that weighs upwards of 200 pounds. Though the Tosa Inu isn’t a popular dog throughout North America it still has its fans by the handful overseas. The Tosa Inu is an aggressive dog and it can be considered dangerous to other pets and humans if it isn’t trained properly. however, when bred and trained properly the Tosa Inu is a loyal and energetic animal that delights in being part of its family.

Akita

We get our second Japanese breed with the inclusion of the Akita. The Akita comes from the rocky and mountainous region of Northern Japan and it can weigh upwards of 130 pounds. Akita are smart and friendly when properly trained but they have an aggressive streak when trained by a bad owner. Akita are highly territorial and they must be trained and integrated on how to handle being around strangers.

Czechoslovakian Vlcak

You’re getting the best of both worlds with this wolf and dog mix. This dog was bred because people wanted a dog that had the loyalty of a German Shepherd, and the strength of a Carpathian wolf. He is often used by the Czechoslovakian Military Special Forces because of their strong fighting instincts. Actually, these dogs are used by the Russian Army now.

Chow Chows

Considered one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, with ancestry dating back over four thousand years to China, Chow Chow’s have a ton of history at their backs. Chow Chow’s are distinct dogs with squished up faces, squat bodies, and an abundance of overflow around their eyes and snout. Chow Chows weigh in around 70lbs when fully grown and are considered adults after their first birthday. Chow Chows are stubborn and aggressive and they struggle to socialize with new animals. In order to get a well behaved, kind, Chow Chow you need to focus on training as soon as they come into your care.

Gull Dong

The Gull Dong is a rare breed of animal, at least when it comes to most average pet owners, but that only makes it more dangerous as a result. The Gull Dong, or Pakistani Bull Dog, is a cross breed that consists of the Bully Kutta and the Gull Terrier. The result is a large animal that is both strong and aggressive. The Gull Dong was originally bred for its ability to fight and its heightened aggression is an indicator of this fact. The Gull Dong is hard to train, harder to control, and not at all the right pet for fledgling dog owners.

Basenji

The Basenji is a small dog but they rank in the Top 3 of our list for a reason. The Basenji comes from Central Africa where they were bred and trained as hunting hounds. The Basenji are curious, alert, and high strung and this combination makes the breed nearly impossible to train without a ton of experience. Breeders point to the Basenji as one of the least trainable breeds on the entire planet. This makes the Basenji a danger not only to its owner but to other people and pets around it.

St. Bernard

The St. Bernard is one of the largest dogs in the world and they can weigh upwards of 260 pounds when fully grown. While the St. Bernard has gotten a reputation for being a cuddly family dog, the truth is a little bit different. St Bernard’s are notoriously hard to train thanks to their anti social behavior with other trainers. St. Bernard’s are also fiercely territorial and that needs to be accounted for before bringing them out in public.

Perro de Presa Canario

Also known as the ‘Canarian Catch Dog’, the Perro de Presa Canario is an intimidating breed of animal. The Presa is a large bodied creature with a fierce face, wide shoulders, and a strong jaw. You need to work on early socialization to make sure that your Presa doesn’t develop bad habits later on in life. Presa’s are suspicious animals and they must be slowly integrated around other animals.

Cocker Spaniels

I know, they don’t look intimidating with those little eyes and flopping ears. They are however very sensitive and sometimes be neurotic. They need to be proper socialization and you need to watch out for their rage syndrome because they can lash out for no reason and then moments later go back to being totally normal.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Otherwise known as the Staffie, this dog has some Pitbull ancestry. Staffies are extremely energetic and love physical activities so if he gets enough exercise, he will be most happy. If you train them right, they can be very sweet doggies.

Pharoah Hound

The Pharoah Hound comes to us all the way from Malta. This dog’s lean frame and pointed nose are familiar, because he is often found on Egyptian murals! Based on Egyptian mythology, his form depicts the God Raa, and the Egyptians valued him highly. Quite often these dogs are used for hunting because they have amazing sight and can run fast. These dogs tend to bond with their owns quite quickly.

American Bulldog

American bulldog are primarily used to guard farms and catch large animals during hunts. These doggies are very strong and energetic.

Neapolitan Mastiff

A lot of law enforcement agencies all over the globe use these dogs for protection. It is due to the fact that they immense courage. This breed was near extinction after World War 2, but Premier Piero Scanziani set up a breeding kennel to guarantee its survival.

Fila Brasileiro

The Fila Brasileiro first came to us from Brazil and is used as a hunting, shepherd and guard dog. These dogs are known to be fiercely loyal to their family and its territory if under threat.

Newfoundland

These dogs are tough and diligent, as they are often used as a watchdog, war dog and even as a star attraction in a circus. There was even one famous Newfoundland who accompanied adventurers Lewis and Clark on their expeditions. These dogs love to work so you can use them to wake your children and even bring you things.

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Bandog

Created from various cross breeds, these large dogs are favored by home owners all over Europe and America as guards. They are known to be very loyal and protective.

Pomeranian

Don’t laugh but these dogs can get very aggressive when they go into “protective mode”. Also, they yap a lot which isn’t dangerous, it’s just annoying.

Pitbulls

If you are at least semi-aware of the culture of violence around dogs then you know how common Pitbulls are when considered as dangerous animals. Pitbulls, perhaps unfairly, get pegged as the most violent breed of dog in the world. This is due to a number of different issues all meeting in the middle to cause problems for the breed. They are the most common ‘fighting dogs’ in the world. Pittbulls are purposely cross bred in order to maximize their fighting abilities. With disproportionately strong jaws, a sturdy body, and a culture of violence behind their name it is often hard to disassociate the breed from the violence they are attached to.

Dalmatians

These doggies are quite well known from the classic Disney flick. They originate from the Croatian region of Dalmatia, where they were used as border guards. These dogs are favorite in family household and are favored as firehouse dogs!

Bullmastiff

Bullmastiffs are quite large and males can actually reach weights up to 130 pounds. If you should get one, you need to be serious in your training, often times, they are used as guard dogs because of their strength.

American Bandogge

American Bandogge has a rather formidable appearance which is dangerously complemented by tendency toward an aggressive temperament. This dog is intensely muscular and shouldn’t be messed with when they’re in a “bad mood”. The American Bandogge needs to be trained to listen to all family members and not just one.

Dachshund

That’s right, weiner dogs make the list. They can often be snappish and according to some studies done, they are actually more prone to violence against other animals and people than either a pit bull or Rottweiler. Shocking.

Malinois

This breed is used the most as working dogs for tasks that include detection of odors such as explosives, accelerants (for arson investigation), and narcotics; tracking humans for suspect apprehension in police work; and search and rescue missions. Additonally, the U.S. Secret Service uses Belgian Malinois to guard the grounds of the White House. Just remember though that if you want in your own home, they can be destructive or can even develop neurotic behaviors if not provided enough stimulation and exercise.

Shar Pei

The Shar Pei once upon a time was one of the rarest dogs on the planet, the adorably pudgy and wrinkly Shar Pei has been a resident of China for over two thousand years. Although this breed looks totally cute, the Shar Pei’s loose skin has a rathr gruesome purpose – it allows the breed to twist and bite during dog fights, leaving it capable of retaliating even if an opponent got a good hold in. While their popularity as dog fighters has subsequently lowered, the Shar Pei still maintains its guarding instincts and a serious temperament.

Pekingese

This ancient breed for many years only inhabited the Chinese Imperial Palace and nowhere else. They actually were not imported out of their native country until 1860, when British and French troops invaded during the Second Opium War and took some home. These blunt, mushed faced, furry little goblins are not keen on strangers nor children either.

Beagle

I know, I know, how in the world could Charlie Brown’s pet Snoopy – the most famous beagle out there – end up on our list. Well unfortunately, like some of the other dogs on this list, its recent working heritage has instilled, at often times, an unmanageable drive. This excitable, impetuous breed makes the beagle very difficult to train and may cause it to act out inappropriately, such as biting. If it catches an alluring scent, this breed will often become completely unresponsive to its owner.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is one of the smallest of dog breeds, which is maybe why it seems so h*ll bent on overcompensating for its size (Little man syndrome, eh). They are actually not that suitable for homes with children because they tend to bond intensely with their owners to the point of obsession, causing them to lash out viciously at anyone who approaches.

Basset hound

While most basset hounds are quite kind and gentle, and often times hilarious, they are also as equally questionable to bring home. They are rather stubborn and don’t listen to their owners well unless “there’s something in it for them.” They also do need a lot of exercise, despite their tiny legs.

Cockapoo

If you don’t properly train your cockapoo or keep it entertained, they can have the worst temperament. On their own, they will come up with highly inventive and sometimes destructive ways to keep themselves entertained. They will attack other dogs, chew furniture and sometimes even do some self-destructive scratching.

Yorkshire Terrier

You probably didn’t know but the Yorkshire Terrier is not a suitable breed for a home with young children as they tend not to have a “submissive temperament”. They require a lot of attention and proper training. Did we mention they constantly yap?! Not bark….yap.

Pugs

These little cuties end up on our list, sorry! It is known that pugs are more prone to aggression because they have a need for dominance, if you don’t show that you’re the “alpha” then they will become aggressive and will want to dominate the house how they see fit. Often times they will bark excessively, bite, growl, and chase other animals around. Pug aggression can become a full blown serious problem if you don’t nip it in the bud.

Airedale Terrier

This pup is quite the character. They’re totally independent, intelligent and rather stubborn, plus they will keep you laughing, but you’ll always be on your toes. The Airedale Terrier is known to be a digger and a counter-surfer. They are also not great with other dogs or animals, plus they need plenty of stimulation (both physical and mental).

Australian Cattle Dog

Now these dogs have some serious endurance! They have a pretty well known reputation for stubbornness and energy to spare. They also think themselves Superman and often you’re wondering when and where they will injury themselves next.

Weimaraner

Otherwise known as the “Gray Ghost” because of their beautiful grey coats and habit of following their owners very closely. They have no “off switch” when it comes to their buckets of energy and they hate, absolutely hate, being left alone. Separation anxiety is a condition that is plenty with this breed. It can also be difficult to house-train and they are a hazard to cats and other small pets.

Border Collie

The Border Collie is very beautiful and intelligent, plus they’re great with learning tricks. However they do have tons of drive and intensity which can sometimes be overwhelming.

Dutch Shepherd

The Dutch Shepherd is quite a popular choice as police and military working dogs and they are quite similar to the Belgian Malinois (which we mentioned before). With that being said, these dogs need “jobs” and will turn destructive if they are left under-stimulated. Sometimes they can become aggressive and difficult to handle if they don’t have enough “work”.

Patterdale Terriers

Patterdale Terriers are getting to be a rather popular breed among the terrier hunting crowd and while they share some of the same qualities as other pet terriers, they are however much more intense dogs. Although they are small, they are bred almost exclusively for work and can turn into major liabilities if in the wrong hands.

Schipperke

Now we have the Schipperke, which is a Belgian spitz-type dog that is used for herding. Although they are small, the breed is not easily managed by the average owner. This breed is quite tenacious and headstrong, which does make, them at times, difficult to train. Even though their size would seem like they don’t need a lot of exercise, they do.

Korean Jindo

The Korean Jindo is still pretty rare in the United States. Originally, they were used as hunting dogs and still maintain quite a lot of their prey drive that is necessary for work. Because of this, they don’t really get along well around other small animals, which does include other dogs. Jindos are independent and are not all that friendly.

Catahoula Leopard Dog

This breed, the Catahoula Leopard Dog, originates from Louisiana! They were originally created for hunting wild boar and still serve that purpose today even. As such, they are large, pstrong and independent dogs that need very experienced owners.

Shiba Inu

This breed hails from Japan and while they are gorgeous, Shibas do tend to exhibit an independent nature which sometimes can turn into aggression. Also, most notably, is what is called a Shiba scream. If they are sufficiently provoked or very unhappy, they will produce a super loud, high pitched scream.