A dog bite often results in physical and psychological damage. However, media reports and anecdotal accounts can make it hard to determine which breeds are most likely to cause harm.
A person benefits by being aware of potential dangers to avoid injury or pursue justice when an animal attacks unsuspectingly.
Are some breeds more dangerous?
Studies find that media outlets may exaggerate the number of reported incidents involving specific breeds due to bias. Excess attention to a particular species may give certain dogs a poor reputation.
Interestingly, the most significant number of bites come from dogs of unknown species. This highlights that any animal may attack or bite, even accidentally, under the right circumstances.
A study by the American Hospital Association found that the following breeds report the highest number of bites:
- Pit bulls
- Terriers
- Rottweilers
- German shepherds
Mixed breeds also ranked high, whereas pointers, dalmatians, Pekingese and Great Danes show less of a bite risk.
What causes dog bites?
Some breeders have traditionally reared certain species for aggressive traits. Such animals may be useful for military, police and security work. Other individuals tend to procure these animals for protection and raise them with a propensity to attack. However, no one should ignore the fact that small dogs can attack and cause substantial damage.
Some of the most significant contributing factors to a dog attack include an animal’s health, training, age, socialization level and previous interactions with humans and other animals. Human behaviors, such as approaching unfamiliar dogs aggressively or making sudden movements around them, can increase their likelihood of biting.
While people may debate which breeds are more likely to bite than others, any dog can present a threat. The key factors are the owner’s supervision and how people interact with the animal.