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Top 10 Most Dangerous & Aggressive Dog Breeds – The Complete Guide to Dangerous Dogs

Based on statistics of dog attacks, the Pitbull is considered to be the most dangerous dog breed in the world.
Written by Richard Jeng

Dogs are loyal, friendly and well, a man’s best friend. But many of these loving creatures devote themselves to protecting us from what they perceive as dangerous.

As a result, they may act hostile towards strangers and in some cases, attack. Not all dogs on this list are truly “dangerous dogs” all the time with no exceptions. It’s just that some breeds do have a higher tendency of exhibiting aggressive behavior.

We did not put together this list to deter you from owning one of these dogs. Rather, it is to help educate dog owners and people about the potential dangers of interacting with some dogs.

There are several factors, other than breed, that may determine whether dogs become aggressive.

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By the Numbers: Dangerous Dogs

Dog attacks and fatalities are two factors we use to measure how dangerous a dog breed is.

So how exactly do we measure this and what factors actually make a dog breed dangerous? First of all, we understand that a dangerous dog can’t be determined solely by breed.

There are always exceptions in addition to many external factors that can play into this. We’re also not trying to generalize all dogs in a breed as dangerous or aggressive.

With that said, we measure these dangerous breeds based on two statistics:

  1. How many human fatalities (deaths) caused by this dog breed
  2. How many attacks from this breed have been reported

Aggressive dogs and their attacks on human have been a controversial topic ever since the beginning of dog domestication. In the 1990’s, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) decided to examine the data on these attacks.

They discovered that the Pit Bull was the most “dangerous” breed in the United States (between 1979 and 1996). In fact, Pit Bulls were involved in 60 incidents – double the number of incidents with the second place Rottweiler (29).

Fatal Dog Attacks – The Report

Of course these dog attacks haven’t stopped since the 90’s. Picking up where the CDC left off, also conducted an investigation on fatal U.S. dog attacks (from 2005 to 2017).

Not only did they record the attacks, but also: victim’s age, number of dogs involved and consequent punishment (if any). What’s alarming is that the Pit Bull accounted for 66% of all fatalities in the 13-year span. That’s 284 deaths from 2005 to 2017.

The second place Rottweiler accounted for less than 11% of fatal attacks with a mere 45 deaths. The story is in the data. And the data tell us that the Pit Bull is by far, the most dangerous dog breed in the world.

Dangerous Dog Breeds List

Note: This dangerous dog breed list does not include breeds that aren’t officially recognized by the AKC. In other words, there are plenty of other aggressive dogs around the world.

In addition, there isn’t sufficient or accessible data on dog attacks in some countries. Thus, this list focuses on the most popular breeds.

10. Akita Inu

Highlights: Courageous, Proud, Loyal.


The Akita Inu is one of the most fearsome guard dogs to originate from Japan. They’re perhaps second only to the Tosa Inu, which were bred as fighting dogs. Even today, the Akita has remained the national dog breed and symbol of Japan.

They’re the most common guard dogs among Japanese families and have been used as gifts from Japanese royalty. For example, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has gifted puppy Akitas many times.

They’ve been gifted to everyone from Olympic gold medalist Alina Zagitova to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Akita Inus are a big deal in Japan.

These dogs are confident, independent and bred for world-class protection of any family. On the flip side, they can be suspicious and aloof around strangers. They’ll sometimes perceive unfamiliar people as “dangerous,” whether they are or not.

As a result, their protective instincts kick in and they will probably attack to defend. A dog with the physical strength and size of an Akita can certainly do a lot of damage. And in some cases, they could easily kill a human being – accident or not.

RECOMMENDED: Akita Inu – Guide to the Hachiko Dog Breed

9. Doberman Pinscher

Highlights: Vigilant, Devoted, Brave.

A Doberman Pinscher isn't aggressive by nature, but their gigantic size and strength makes them potentially dangerous dogs.

The Doberman Pinscher is a fearless dog from the working group. They were bred to be outstanding aid for the police force and fierce guardians of family homes.

Dobermans tower over other dogs at 28 inches tall and can weigh up to 100 pounds. Without a doubt, these dogs are powerful creatures. And because they have so much strength, they need to be trained as early as possible.

The biggest concern with raising a large dog breed is the ability to properly execute obedience training. Sure, they are in fact intelligent dog breeds. However, their dominant nature and size make them somewhat difficult to train.

Many owners will describe their Dobie as loyal, obedient, energetic, alert and courageous. But chances are, they were successful with training.

Keeping a Doberman requires extra attention. Those that failed to do so are probably the ones with the Dobermans that contributed to the fatalities.

But then again, this Doberman that tragically mauled its family’s baby was described as “sweet” and “kind” – so you never know. Always keep small children far away from big dogs. It can quickly turn into a dangerous situation.

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8. Boxer

Highlights: Bright, Social, Energetic.

Pound for pound, the boxer is one of the strongest dogs, which can make them dangerous.

Most Boxers are dominant dogs and show aggression towards other same sex dogs. In some cases, they’ll exhibit aggressive behavior towards human too.

Boxers are not aggressive by nature. However, they do have a lot of energy and hunting instincts, which can lead to aggression.

Many of the Boxer attacks involve small children because they simply don’t know how to act around these dogs. It’s crucial that kids know how to respect an active and muscular dog such as the Boxer.

Without proper handling of this breed, things can quickly escalate into something dangerous, and even fatal.

Owners will tell you that their Boxer is friendly, cheerful, loyal and playful. While this may be true with most dogs, this doesn’t always apply to dogs with bad owners.

Poorly trained or bred Boxers can potentially inflict a ton of damage to a human, especially a child. Furthermore, these dogs were originally bred in Germany to hunt game and participate in dog fights. You never know when their natural instincts will kick in.

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7. Labrador Retriever

Highlights: Friendly, Energetic, People-loving.

The Labrador Retriever makes the list of most dangerous dog breeds because there are too many of them in the US.

The Labrador Retriever isn’t as dangerous as the numbers make them out to be. For example: the city of Los Angeles has more murders than the suburb of Pasadena, CA.

Well, of course. If you’re comparing a city of 4 million people to a suburb of 150,000 people, the larger city is bound to have more murder cases.

The thing with attack statistics on these dog breeds is that they don’t account for the population of the breed. That being said, the Labrador Retriever is the single most popular dog breed in the United States.

I mean, they’re the stereotypical “family dog.” To see them on this list would shock most people. But if you consider how many of them there are, then landing the number 7 spot seems kind of low.

6. Siberian Husky

Highlights: Playful, Active, Loyal.

Huskies are generally fun and loving dogs, but can also be aggressive and dangerous.

If you haven’t been living under a rock, you may have seen funny memes of an evil husky circulating the web. They may look “evil” with their sinister-looking eyes and the black fur that surrounds it. But are they really that dangerous?

Most huskies are friendly and social creatures – they love people. Owners will tell you that their dog is intelligent, alert and gentle to both human and other dogs. However, huskies are full of energy and extremely active, which can certainly lead to aggressive behavior.

Looking into isolated incidents, I can tell that many of these fatal attacks by huskies involved small children. It’s generally not a great idea to mix large dogs with small children. This is especially true if the dog isn’t familiar with the child.

But regardless of the victim’s size and age, the Siberian Huskies are indeed dangerous dog breeds. At least, according to the statistics.

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5. English Mastiff

Highlights: Good-natured, Brave, Dignified.

If properly socialized, there should be no reason for a Mastiff to be dangerous.

An English Mastiff is, by nature, docile and gentle – for the most part. However, like with all dogs, the Mastiff can become aggressive for a variety of reasons. For instance, neglect and bad training will do the trick.

It is extremely important for Mastiffs to receive socialization training early on. It’s the only way they can learn to read normal behaviors of “the good guys.”

They already are aloof with unfamiliar people. But without socialization, it’s quite possible they become suspicious of everyone outside the family. It’s really that important.

This type of mindset may lead to unusual shyness and aggression with people. Both behaviors can be dangerous with a dog breed of this size. In fact, they stand at roughly 36 inches and can weigh up to 230 pounds.

If they want to attack, they can do it with relative ease. And if you are an owner looking to keep a Mastiff, you’ll have a lot of responsibility training this strong-willed dog.

4. Bulldog

Highlights: Friendly, Brave, Calm.

Bulldogs are more ferocious than you think and can be downright dangerous dogs.

The Bulldog has received its fair share of criticism and controversy in the past. For instance, they’ve been (unfairly) named the dumbest dog breed in the world. As a result, many people ask: do their low intelligence have anything to do with their aggressive behavior?

Personally, I feel that they’re just misunderstood. Owners interpret their reluctance to comply with instructions as a lack of intelligence. But really, they’re just a little bit stubborn.

In actuality, this falls on the owner. A Bulldog won’t do your bidding or obey your commands if you aren’t a firm and consistent leader of the pack (or family).

The fact that these dogs are so difficult to train and control raises an issue. Perhaps the fact that Bulldogs occasionally attack humans is because the owners couldn’t adequately train their dog.

Bulldogs are often described as friendly, social and docile dogs. If properly socialized and trained, there should be no reason for them (aside from maybe mishandling) to show aggression.

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3. German Shepherd

Highlights: Intelligent, Devoted, Obedient.

With so much strength and size, the German Shepherd is one of the most deadly and dangerous dog breeds.

German Shepherds are the bread and butter of any reputable K-9 Unit. Many believe they’re synonymous with police dogs. But because they’re so dependable for fighting crime, if put in a bad situation, they can become dangerous.

The typical family-owned German Shepherd believes it has one job and purpose – to protect the family. With this kind of mentality, accidents can potentially happen.

As long as your German Shepherd perceives someone (or something) as being dangerous to the pack, they will attack and defend. Plus, not many people can withstand a German Shepherd attack.

The fact that they stand tall at 25 inches and weigh in at 80 pounds of pure muscle, the attack can be brutal and in some cases, fatal. Even if they don’t intend to, they can accidentally hurt small children.

The German Shepherd is by far the most popular family-owned guard dog in the United States. In fact, besides the Labrador Retriever, they’re the most popular dog breed in America, period.

With the brute force, protective instincts and prevalence of the German Shepherd, are you really surprised they rank so high on the dangerous breed list? We didn’t think so, either.

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2. Rottweiler

Highlights: Loyal, Protective, Affectionate.

The Rottweiler ranks second among all dog breeds for most dangerous dogs.

The Rottweiler, or “rottie,” isn’t just one of the most expensive dogs, but also one of the most dangerous breeds. To own a Rottweiler means you’ll have to pay a premium. But in return, you get one of the fiercest guard dogs this world has to offer.

Make no mistake – Rottweilers have been slowly gaining popularity, going from the 10th to 8th most popular dog breed in a few short years. With an increase in the number of this ferocious guard dog, means an increase in potential dog attacks.

Although the Rottweiler is generally a good-natured dog, they will do whatever it takes to protect the pack (your family). Most owners will describe them as loyal, fearless, courageous and confident. All of which, are fantastic temperament characteristics of the perfect family guard dog.

In all fairness, the Rottweiler is a surprisingly calm dog breed. I’ve met many rotties in my life and they certainly aren’t as vicious as they appear to be. My guess is there may be external factors and reasons for such a gentle dog to rank so high on this list.

For example, maybe all the fatalities were of robbers trying to break in the house. In that case, they were just doing their “job.” Whatever the reason, the numbers don’t lie – Rottweilers are dangerous dog breeds.

1. Pit Bull Terrier

Highlights: Playful, Protective, Confident.

The Pit Bull is the most dangerous dog in the world.

I have always been warned by adults about Pit Bulls as a kid. For example, i’ve been told that once a Pit Bull bites down, their jaws can lock with brute force. The term for this was “lock jaw.”  With all these horror stories, there is an undeniable stigma attached to Pit Bulls.

But what i’ve realized is that all of that was rubbish. The reality is, the media and people like to put this bias on generalizing these dogs based on bad people’s actions.

There are no “bad dogs.” But there are bad people that may treat these dogs in a manner that they develop aggressive behavior, thus becoming “dangerous.”

But if were looking at straight statistics, the Pit Bulls are considered to be the most dangerous dog breed. Despite earning the title as “most dangerous dog,” a Pit Bull can actually be a sweet dog.

They’re loyal, friendly and really do love people. If socialized and trained properly, a Pit Bull can be one of the best companion dogs. Unfortunately, many Pit Bull-related attacks are believed to be from dogs with irresponsible owners.

Some people use abusive behavior towards their Pit Bulls or specifically train them to attack and be vicious. Believe it or not, these dogs are not inherently vicious dogs.

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Other Aggressive Dogs

These are the dangerous and aggressive dog breeds that didn’t make it onto the mainstream version of this list.

They either have too little data in the U.S. or were listed as unknown breed in reports. In other words, these are the “honorable mentions” for the most dangerous dog breeds in the world.

Chow Chow

Highlights: Dignified, Proud, Serious.

A Chow Chow is naturally aggressive, making them dangerous dog breeds.

The Chow Chow is a Chinese dog breed most known for their blackish blue tongues and lion-like mane. Like the other dogs on the list, they have been the subject of many reported cases of attacks.

In fact, aggressive behavior is relatively common with Chow Chows. They tend to show natural aggression towards dogs of the same sex. Furthermore, smaller dogs and cats can draw out their innate hunting instincts.

The best way to avoid any mishaps with your Chow is through early and consistent socialization as a puppy. Always bring people over and have your dog interact with them as often as possible.

Even then, small children should avoid interaction with Chow Chows. These dogs are impatient and being teased by small children will probably not end well.

This dog breed is loyal, independent-minded and quiet. However, they’re naturally protective and sometimes possessive as well. If this behavior is left unchecked, aggressive behavior in adulthood is a real possibility.

RECOMMENDED: Chow Chow – Guide to the Black Tongue Dog

Tosa Inu

Highlights: Brave, Confident, Dominant.


The Tosa Inu is the prized fighting dog breed originating from the country of Japan. These dogs were bred to fight and protect – not much more.

But why would these fighting beasts not make the list of most dangerous dog breeds? Mostly, the Tosa Inu is not a very common dog breed. Even in their motherland (Japan), Tosa Inus are difficult to find.

So, it’s not too surprising they don’t make this list that’s based on numbers of dog attacks. There just aren’t enough of them. On the other hand, the Akita Inu is a far more popular breed than the Tosa. More dogs means a higher chance of an attack.

But make no mistake, the Tosa Inu is truly a dangerous and aggressive dog. In fact, they’re so dangerous that they’ve been banned in many countries.

In addition, other countries require owners to apply for a permit to keep a Tosa. Even some prefectures of Japan have banned the breeding of these dogs, which is a big reason there are so little left.

If you plan to keep a Tosa, you must be very careful. They’re only recommended for the most experienced dog owners and trainers. There are very few things scarier than this 150-pound “Japanese Mastiff” charging at you.

RECOMMENDED: Tosa Inu – The Guide to the Japanese Mastiff

Bully Kutta

Highlights: Alert, Active, Responsive.

The Bully Kutta is the most ferocious Indian dog breed.

The nickname of the Bully Kutta, “Beast of the East,” says it all. They were originally bred to be great hunters and guardians. However, their massive size and aggression made them popular fighting dogs in India and Pakistan.

They stand at around 30 to 44 inches tall and can weigh up to 170 pounds. Unfortunately, these dogs still participate in illegal dog fights around India today.

The only way to manage a Bully Kutta is to expose them humans and dogs very early on. Extensive socialization and training with a firm hand is required for this dog breed. But even socialization with other dogs may be risky at a certain age.

They may seem playful at first, but “play fights” with other dogs can quickly escalate into something fatal. They will tear apart other dogs or die trying. As long as other dogs submit to them, they will leave them alone. However, other fighting dog breeds are not submissive either.

It’s safe to say, you should be cautious around a Bully Kutta. Children are a definite “no” and it’s probably better for other dogs to stay away as well.

RECOMMENDED: Bully Kutta – Guide to the Beast of the East

Alaskan Malamute

Highlights: Diligent, Playful, Loving.

The Alaskan Malamute is bigger than the Husky, but just as dangerous and aggressive.

The Alaskan Malamute is like a much larger, stockier version of the Siberian and Alaskan Husky. They’re generally not aggressive dogs. Most owners will even tell you they’re good with people, and especially with kids.

However, the main problem is that the Malamute, like with the Husky, has a ton of energy that needs to be directed towards productivity. Failure to do so can potentially lead to aggressive behavior.

What causes the Malamute to exhibit aggression is probably neglectful owners. These dogs need both physical and mental stimulation in order to maintain healthy living – both mind and body.

Not being able to release pent up energy usually leads to destruction behavior, including attacking strangers. These dogs can weigh up to 100 pounds, so encountering an aggressive Alaskan Malamute can certainly prove to be dangerous.

Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991

The Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991 was the result of an increase in vicious dog attacks around the U.K.

Sometime in the 1990’s, the United Kingdom saw an increase in dog attacks. Some of which, led to serious injury and death. In response, the Parliament decided to step in and enact the Dangerous Dogs Act to reduce these attacks.

However, rules were applied to only a handful of aggressive dog breeds. The Parliament also applied strict bans on certain dog breeds, making it illegal to own these “specially controlled breeds” in the United Kingdom.

Dog Breeds covered in U.K.’s Dangerous Dog Act:

  • Tosa Inu
  • Pit Bull Terrier
  • Fila Brasileiro
  • Dogo Argentino

Not only are these specific purebreds covered in the Act, but also any dog crossbred with one of the four listed breeds. Consequently, the Dangerous Dog Act has stirred up a lot of controversy and has been heavily criticized for discriminating against dogs based solely on “breed label.”

Any dog that looks like a mix or possess similar characteristics of the four breed is considered “dangerous.” And unfortunately, whether a dog falls into the Dangerous Dogs Act is determined by the United Kingdom court system.

Dangerous Dog Breed Legislation

The United States followed in the footsteps of the United Kingdom, enacting the breed-specific legislation. The legislation is different in each state jurisdiction.

However, it ranges from outright bans to restrictions on ownerships of dangerous and/or aggressive dogs. On the other hand, some state governments have prohibited this breed-specific legislation.

Dogs affected by the legislation:

  • Mix breed of the following:
  • Pitbull
  • Bulldog
  • Mastiff
  • Staffordshire
  • Dogo Argentino
  • Canary dog
  • Wolf-hybrid
  • Rottweiler
  • and more…

For more information on the restrictions of dangerous breeds in your state, visit this page. Currently, the only states affected by the legislation includes: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Final Thoughts

So, do I actually think dogs are inherently dangerous? Yes and no. On one hand, there are dog breeds that are naturally more aggressive than others.

For example, a canine breed specifically developed for fighting and protecting ( see: Tosa Inu), will obviously be more aggressive than your average dog. Aggression can certainly lead to dangerous situations.

However, at the end of the day, whether the dog actually gets into a dangerous situation is in the hands of the owner. In my opinion, most of the fatal attacks with these dogs in the USA are from neglectful owners. Either from poor socialization or irresponsibility.

For example, if owners are too lazy to take their large active dog for walks, it will drive them crazy. Their pent up energy may cause them to dig up a hole in the backyard, thus escaping. A large and crazed dog roaming around your neighborhood is just asking for trouble.

Dogs generally get along well with humans, regardless of breed. It’s important that all owners take responsibility of their dogs and give them the proper training. With a little more care and effort, we may be able to drastically reduce fatal dog attacks all around the world.

This article focuses mainly on dangerous dogs in the USA. To see some of the most aggressive breeds in the WORLD, I leave you with this video:

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About the author

Richard Jeng



  • We became mom and dad to a rescued Shiba Inu (Dagwood). Daggie was amarvelous, intelligent, and loving member of the family. When the grandkids came along, Dag was taught that the girls were not only part of the pack but small pack leaders. My husband, as chief pack leader, taught him 5 tricks however, Dag would only perform in the house, so few people witnessed the performances (he was quite stubborn). We had Dag for 7 yrs, loved him very much and though he has been gone for 5 yrs, we miss him as though he died yesterday.

  • Your entire article IS GREAT INFORMATION! I’ve always thought that Dalmatian was #1, but you cited the Center for Disease Control as your source….so you must be right! ha

  • Many animals, including dogs can have great qualities and provide outstanding companionship. They can also put lives in danger. It is difficult to read the intentions of humans, much less potentially wild animals. In my opinion, it is irresponsible to endanger human beings with any animal that when provoked, can do great harm and danger. I’ve had dogs, and none of them were big enough and strong enough to do great physical harm to anyone else. Why would you risk the health, safety and well-being of someone on an animal?

  • yet you left out chihuahuas who do not get along well with bigger dogs and are aggressive when they are greeted by humans. size doesn’t matter. my american bulldog mix is a literal sweetheart and chihuahuas scare her. they are the first ones to bark and be territorial with my dog when all my dog wants to do is play because she’s only 3 years old.

  • There are too many dogs in Washington, D.C. The ubiquitous poodle cocadoodle ‘whatever’ is especially pervasive, like unmatching business brown shoes, tantamount to brownshirt uniform during the Weimar Republic at Trump’s birth. What is the meaning of nearly everyone walking the same brownshirt ‘cocadoodle’ uniform dog for our purported Democratic-Republic gone Social Darwinistic cut-throat capitalism mad with conspicuous consumption and greed? I thought we were a Christian Nation.

  • I disagree about pit bulls. I dont care how you raise them, pitbull attacks/fatality statistics are far too appalling to be the result of bad owners alone.

  • J is absolutely correct. There are plenty of stories about unprovoked pit bull attacks. The author is correct in saying “there are no bad dogs”, the fault lies with those who genetically engineered them to be naturally aggressive and vicious. Sometimes owners may be the issue but not in all cases. Regardless, there have been way too many incidents of fatalities and life-changing and disabling injuries inflicted by pit bulls. This breed should no longer be bred. I’m not advocating putting down innocent dogs, I’m simply advocating that we stop propagating pit bulls and make it illegal to breed and sell them. They were bred to hunt and this purpose is no longer needed in this day and age.

    We can accept that most dog breeds have been bred over generations to have specific temperaments and be good at specific things. Why can’t we also accept that pit bulls have been bred to attack and maul and that it is in their nature to do so, like a lion or a grizzly bear? Furthermore, even if the attacks are 100% due to put bull owners, I don’t trust that there will be no bad pit bull owners in the future. When a dog is able to inflict so much harm if it tries to do so, bring in the hands of a bad owner can and WILL result in future incidents where innocent animals and humans are injured and killed. We need to take this issue very seriously.

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