Experts Reveal The Most Dangerous And Safest Dog Breeds For Households
We all love dogs, but it's safe to say that not all mutts are created equal. Every dog has the potential to lash out and bite, and every dog also has the potential to be a sweet, safe, and loyal companion.
Training will go a long way towards making a dog safe or not. But if you're looking for which dogs are inherently the safest - and which may have some issues - it's worth putting a little bit of time into researching the differing traits of different breeds.
Safe: Irish setter
Most dog breeds are companionable to some degree, but Irish setters are especially predisposed to seeking out human company. It's the kind of dog that's happy and content to just be in your presence.
Setters are happy to curl up by your feet, but are just as likely to seek out activity. This means that whatever your activity - whether you're lounging or exercising - an Irish setter is just about the perfect companion.
Dangerous: Chihuahua
It might seem odd to see such a small dog on this list, especially considering that a chihuahua probably couldn't kill a human even if it tried. Still, these doggos have an aggressiveness that outpaces their small size.
Because chihuahuas are territorial, they're not afraid to start conflict with anything that's a good size match - this can include small children, other dogs, and other pets. They can be great pets, but their stubborn, territorial streak is hard to contain.
Safe: Weimaraner
Originally bred by German royalty for hunting, the modern-day weimeraner is better known these days as a solid choice as a family dog. While you'll need to give your weimaraner plenty of exercise, this tends to be a soulful, calm dog.
For the active family who wants a patient dog to join them on outdoor adventures, the weimeraner is a great choice. Their elegant, velvety grey coats also make them one of the most visually stunning breeds.
Dangerous: Queensland heeler
Some dogs can be dangerous because they're genetically close to wolves. The Queensland heeler, bred as a cattle dog, can be dangerous because it's genetically close to the dingo - a type of wild Australian dog.
Queensland heelers do well with a lot of time outdoors in wide open spaces so they can expend their energy. If they spend too much time cooped up, they can grow antsy and become unpredictable.
Safe: Airedale terrier
Here's a breed that strikes an excellent balance between friendliness and loyalty. The airedale terrier has loyal traits that make it an excellent choice for a guard dog, but doesn't have the aggression inherent to other guard breeds.
These sweet dogs are intelligent and have tons of patience, which makes them a good match for families with kids, or families that haven't had a dog before. They're also adaptable enough to get along with other dogs.
Dangerous: Australian shepherd
Aussie shepherds are remarkably intelligent dogs, which would hopefully mean that they're smart enough not to attack humans. This is generally true, as they're herding dogs, not hunting dogs, and don't have much of a prey drive.
That said, their breeding as herd dogs means that they have a habit of nipping at the heels of those in front of them. This is fine if they're herding sheep, but less than ideal if they're attempting to herd young children.
Safe: Portuguese water dog
Portuguese water dogs, true to their name, love playing in water. If you can handle the smell of wet dog on a fairly regular basis, you can't really go wrong with this particular breed.
Like many other medium-sized dogs, the Portuguese water dog tends to be quick and energetic, so be prepared to give this breed plenty of exercise. On a social level, they play well with kids and other dogs, and their hypoallergenic coat is a nice bonus.
Dangerous: Cane corso
The cane corso, like some other dogs on this list, was selectively bred as a guard and hunting dog. Modern-day cane corsos are protective and loyal, and a great way to dissuade intruders.
The large, muscular body of the cane corso, combined with a powerful bite, make them a fearsome dog when they feel aggressive or cornered. They also have a strong prey drive, which might make them a poor match with smaller pets.
Safe: Basset hound
Bassets are immediately identifiable by their sweet, soulful eyes (there's a reason that "basset hound eyes" is a common phrase). Their temperament matches their appearance, as they're agreeable and affectionate dogs who tend to love their humans.
Basset hounds are fairly sedentary as dogs go, which makes them a good choice for older folks or people who don't have a lot of energy to burn. They're generally sweet, doting dogs, and a great addition to most households.
Dangerous: Presa Canario
The presa canario, or simply presa, was originally bred to be a fighting dog. This means that even the sweetest, most well-trained presa has some level of aggression baked into its DNA.
Presa attacks have been widespread enough over the years that bans or restrictions are in place in various countries. Over a 32-year period, it was reported that presas attacked 111 people, killing 18 in all. It's incredibly important to properly train presas.
Safe: Bichon frise
These little pups aren't ideal for everyone, as they demand a lot of time and attention. But those willing to meet those demands will be rewarded with a sweet, friendly and loyal lap dog.
The bichon frise is hypoallergenic and small, making them an ideal choice for those with allergies and people who live in smaller spaces. They also aren't particularly territorial and can easily make friends with kids and other dogs.
Dangerous: Saint Bernard
Unlike most of the 'dangerous' dogs on this list, Saint Bernards don't tend to have any kind of killer instinct. Their sweet nature makes them the stereotypical dog used to rescue avalanche victims.
That said, Saint Bernards are big and have a tendency to be quite clumsy. This is no big deal in most circumstances, but people with young kids might want to stay away from this breed - unless they want a big, sweet dog constantly bowling their kids over.
Safe: Samoyed
There's something about the expression on the face of most samoyeds that indicates their friendliness. Fortunately, samoyeds tend to be just as friendly as they look, with an easygoing attitude that pairs well with most households.
Samoyeds, or "sammies", are an excellent choice for anyone who's looking for a medium to large dog with a friendly disposition. They're a good pairing for just about any household, along with kids of all ages.
Dangerous: Great dane
Great danes, fortunately, are often fairly cowardly. This is a good thing, because they're absolutely massive - generally much taller than a human when they stand on their hind legs. If they were more aggressive, they'd be downright terrifying.
However, the big size of great danes can pose problems. Like any dog, they have self defence mechanisms when they feel cornered or threatened, and their size alone can be problematic - despite having an overall docile temperament.
Safe: Cocker spaniel
Cocker spaniels aren't ideal for sedentary types, as these spritely little dogs always seem to have excess energy to burn off. But their playful, gentle nature makes them a great choice for anyone who can keep up with them.
The small size and boundless enthusiasm of cocker spaniels makes them a good pairing for families with active kids. They're also more than willing to be trained for anyone who wants to teach them a few tricks.
Dangerous: Boerboel
Some dogs are bred to be big, tough, and terrifying, and boerboels fit right into this category. They're the result of selective breeding with mastiff-like dogs, and have traditionally been used as working dogs to guard livestock.
This means that boerboels are protective, muscular, and tough - with a bite strength that places them near the top of all dog breeds. They're fantastic as working dogs, but will require some training if they're being used as a pet.
Safe: Bernese mountain dog
These gentle giants tend to be adaptable and not particularly demanding. This means that they'll fit right into most households, regardless of how many kids or dogs might already be present.
It's important to be aware of just how big these dogs can get - more than 100 pounds - so they're not a great choice for apartment living. But for those who want a big dog that's great with kids, a Bernese mountain dog is a solid choice.
Dangerous: Chow chow
These big, dense dogs have a distinctive face and a unique temperament. Originally bred as hunting and herding dogs, chow chows have a lot of confidence and can be downright assertive compared to other dogs.
This can pose problems when they're hanging out with other breeds, as chow chows generally want to be the boss. A chow chow with proper training from its puppy years probably won't cause problems, but a stubborn streak can lead to issues.
Safe: Pembroke Welsh corgi
A favorite of Queen Elizabeth II, corgis seem on the surface to be silly little dogs, with short legs propelling their plump bodies. But if you get to know a corgi, you'll see just how sweet and friendly they are.
Due to their breeding as herding, guard, and companion dogs, corgis tend to be very invested in what their humans are doing. If you want to be the center of your dog's whole world, consider a corgi.
Dangerous: Doberman pinscher
Dobermans can make for an ideal family guard dog, as they're incredibly loyal to their people while serving as a stoic, intimidating presence to outsiders. Sometimes this loyalty can be a problem, though, particularly when they bond with an individual rather than a whole family.
Dobermans have a powerful bite and can be downright mean towards those they don't trust. Usually, this means other dogs - dobermans don't tend to play nicely with other breeds. In rarer cases, though, they could bite a human.
Safe: Standard poodle
When someone says 'poodle,' most of us think of the miniature variety. But the larger cousin of this breed, the standard poodle, is a breed worth considering for any families.
In addition to the standard poodle's hypoallergenic coat (as a bonus, it sheds way less than most breeds), the standard poodle is intelligent, outgoing, and unlikely to lash out at strangers. If you have allergies but want a safe and friendly dog, the standard poodle might be for you.
Dangerous: Boxer
Don't let the goofy expression on the face of virtually every boxer fool you: these oddball mutts can pose a danger to people in some circumstances, especially if they haven't been properly trained from a young age.
The danger lies in the fact that boxers are well regarded as guard dogs. This means that many boxers are keen to protect their territory and possibly to lash out against any interlopers or intruders.
Safe: Brussels griffon
The Brussels griffon is a unique-looking dog, with a bushy Theodore Roosevelt mustache. A favorite at dog shows, this smaller breed does well in small living spaces, so long as they're walked or exercised frequently enough.
While this breed tends to work well with families, they're also a good companion for single folks. This is due to their intelligent, inquisitive nature, as they make for a dedicated and loyal friend.
Dangerous: Labrador retriever
Labs are generally some of the most trusting dogs around, which means that they can generally be trusted not to get aggressive and lash out at people, even strangers.
That said, labs are quite big, standing a couple of feet tall and weighing up to 80 pounds. This means that even the sweetest lab can cause some damage in certain circumstances - for instance, if it feels threatened or feels a need to defend its territory or food.
Safe: Boston terrier
Boston terriers have kind of a goofy personality that starts with their inquisitive expression. They're a great choice for anyone who has frequent visitors, as they're more than willing to meet new people and make new friends.
They're good playmates for kids, other dogs and even cats, but because of their small size, it's a good idea to keep an eye on things if they're paired up with breeds that are significantly larger.
Dangerous: Siberian husky
The Siberian husky is a beautiful dog, with piercing blue eyes and a close genetic connection to wolves. These genetics might help explain why this breed can potentially be dangerous.
Siberian huskies are very communicative dogs, and can be total sweethearts. They can also be stubborn, which occasionally causes them to lash out. While they're relatively small compared to other dogs, even a small Siberian husky can pack a lot of force into its bite.
Safe: Cocker spaniel
Cocker spaniels are undeniably beautiful dogs, with some of the most luscious coats you'll see on any breed. They tend to have gentle, but defined, personalities, which make them a good fit for most families.
While they were originally bred as hunting dogs, their prey drive isn't particularly high. To keep a cocker spaniel happy, all it really needs is love and enough outside activity to keep it from feeling penned in.
Dangerous: Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs are loyal to a fault, and serve as good guard dogs. That said, anyone who's had a bull mastiff has probably experienced a few tense interactions between their dog and strangers. In short, bullmastiffs often don't like strangers.
These dogs weigh up to 130 pounds and have a tendency to bite. It's important to make sure your bullmastiff is properly trained from an early age, particularly if you have lots of visitors to your house.
Safe: Newfoundland
You'll want to make sure you have enough space for a Newfoundland, as at a hundred pounds or so, they're one of the bigger breeds out there. But anyone who does go this route will be rewarded with a sweet and docile breed.
It might be intimidating to introduce a big dog to a household with small kids or smaller pets, but the gentle Newfoundland tends to do extremely well in these situations.
Dangerous: American bulldog
Various breeds of bulldogs exist, and American bulldogs - unlike their smaller British counterparts - are big, muscular, tough dogs. American bulldogs were bred as working dogs and are incredibly dense and thick for their compact size.
Some statistics say that American bulldogs are responsible for about 3.5 percent of fatal dog attacks on humans. It isn't a particularly high number, but it's still cause for concern considering the relatively small size of this breed.
Safe: Pug
Some dogs are bred in such a way that they couldn't ever pose much threat to humans, and pugs are a prime example. They're small, compact, and muscular, like bulldogs - but they're a little too small and much too friendly to cause much damage.
Any pug owner will probably be happy with their pup, so long as they're willing to provide it with lots of exercise. Their small size makes them a good candidate for living in smaller spaces.
Dangerous: Alaskan malamute
Malamutes are massive dogs, which makes a lot of sense considering their selective breeding: they were originally intended to haul large loads over long distances. They're also adept hunting dogs, with a strong prey instinct.
It's extremely rare to see an Alaskan malamute target and harm a human. But it isn't unheard of. Some sources say that up to five deaths in the United States in the late 1960s and 1970s can be attributed to malamute attacks.
Safe: Border collie
The iconic fictional dog Lassie wasn't a border collie, but she was a collie - and this family of dogs tends to exhibit the intelligence and loyalty that Lassie made famous.
Border collies are trusting dogs, and they're easy to trust as well. Their keen intelligence and patient nature means that they're unlikely to ever lash out at humans. They're a great fit for a family that hasn't owned a dog before.
Dangerous: German Shepherd
It's hard to see the sweet, friendly German shepherd on the list of dangerous dogs, but this breed can unfortunately have a bit of a mean streak. Their energetic, loyal nature can easily lead to conflicts.
German shepherds can also get quite large, and their jaw packs a powerful bite. A well-trained shepherd shouldn't pose any problems, but these dogs can become quite aggressive and unpredictable if they weren't properly trained as a puppy.
Safe: Cavalier King Charles spaniel
This dog breed is a bit of a mouthful, but here's the important part: the Cavalier King Charles spaniel was selectively bred - but not as a working dog, as a companion dog.
This means that the friendly nature of this spaniel is encoded into its DNA. If you're looking for a dog that will love you unconditionally, this breed is a great choice - assuming, of course, that you can put in the time and attention that it demands.
Dangerous: Akita
The akita is an adorable dog, a larger breed that was originally bred for its abilities as a big game hunter. Anyone who's owned an akita can attest to the fact that they have an excellent nose for prey.
This ingrained ability to hunt prey, combined with its large size, can be a dangerous combination. While akitas aren't likely to attack a human, their territoriality and aggression can create conflicts with other dogs.
Safe: French bulldog
For a variety of reasons, smaller breeds are the best choice for some households. Unfortunately, due to their size, these breeds can also be yappy and territorial. The French bulldog is a bit of an outlier in this regard.
French bulldogs tend to be pretty relaxed and easygoing, especially given their smaller size. Their sweet, companionable nature has made them one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States, despite their predisposition to various health problems.
Dangerous: Rottweiler
Rotties are a popular breed, known for their intelligence and calmness. They aren't easily excited and can make for excellent guard dogs. But this protectiveness is a double-eged sword, and rottweilers can sometimes overstep their bounds and become aggressive.
Part of the issue is that rottweilers have an incredibly strong bite, one that can easily break human bones. Because of this danger, it's especially important to ensure that your rottweiler is extremely well trained.
Safe: Beagle
It's hard to look at a beagle and see any sign of it being a dangerous dog. Maybe that's because they're very rarely aggressive. They're smart, energetic dogs that require a lot of attention, but are also incredibly rewarding.
Beagles are a great choice for big families with kids, as this will put them in a situation where they're getting the love, attention, and playtime that helps them thrive.
Dangerous: Pit Bull
Pit bulls can be extremely sweet and protective dogs, but they're also at the top of anyone's list for dangerous dog breeds. The umbrella term 'pit bull' includes various bulldogs and terriers, and is often associated with dog attacks.
Generally speaking, about two thirds of all fatal dog bites in the United States can be attributed to pit bulls. That's a lot, especially considering the fact that only about 6 percent of dogs in the U.S. could be defined as pit bulls.