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Dogs are like really good pets for people. Lots of different kinds of dogs we see now have been living with humans for a long time. They keep us company, help with important stuff, and sometimes they even protect us.

But, there are some dogs that people think are a bit aggressive. You might want to be careful around these types, especially if you’re thinking about getting a dog for your family and you want one that’s gentle or easier to manage.

Today, we are talking about top 10 most most aggressive dog breeds of 2024. If you’re considering getting a dog, you might be concerned about whether they might become mean and bite someone. Learn about why dogs might act that way, which breeds are often seen as more aggressive, and how you should think about this when choosing a dog.

What Makes a Dog Breed Aggressive?

Many things can make people think a dog breed is aggressive and maybe dangerous. Some breeds have more behaviors that might make them seem risky. Others might have these behaviors because people bred them that way on purpose.

Here are some things that can make a dog breed seem aggressive:

• Genetics: Some dogs were bred for tasks like guarding or fighting, which might make them more likely to act aggressively.
• Hunting Instincts: Dogs bred for hunting might have a strong drive to chase things.
• Size and Strength: Bigger dogs with strong jaws might seem scarier.
• Trainability: Some dogs are easier to train than others. Stubborn dogs might be harder to control.
• Behavioral Issues: Dogs can get bored or anxious, leading to bad behavior.
• Territorial Behavior: Some dogs are more protective of their space.
• Testing: There are tests to see how friendly dogs are. These can help breeders and owners understand a dog’s temperament better.

Remember, not all dogs of a breed will be aggressive. And sometimes, aggression is because of how the dog was raised or trained. Testing can help breeders pick dogs with good temperaments, making them less likely to be aggressive.

Top 10 Most Aggressive Dog Breeds

These dog breeds are often seen as aggressive. But, remember, there are lots of things that can make a dog act that way, like we talked about before.

Not every dog of these breeds will be mean and difficult to manage. It’s more that they were bred for tasks that need them to be tough, like guarding or hunting. Handling these breeds might need someone with more experience. So, here are the top 10 most aggressive dog breeds.

1. Chihuahua

• Average Weight: 2 to 7 pounds (male and female)
• Average Height:  6 to 9 inches (male and female)
• Lifespan: 12 to 14 years

Even though Chihuahuas are tiny, they have a reputation for being mean, having behavior problems, and being grumpy. Usually, they’re very loving and loyal to their favorite people, but they might not be so nice to strangers or other animals in the house.

Because they’re small, people don’t usually think of Chihuahuas as very dangerous, but they can still hurt with their bites, growls, and barking. They’re also pretty brave and might pick fights with much bigger things, so it’s important to train them well to prevent problems. However, this can be the one of the most aggressive dog breeds.

2. Rottweiler

• Average Weight: 110 to 130 pounds (male and female)
• Average Height:  24 to 27 inches (male and female)
• Lifespan: 8 to 10 years

Rottweilers are pretty popular as pets. But, if the owner isn’t careful, they might encourage the dog to be aggressive. Rottweilers are very protective and loyal, and they like chasing after things more than some other dogs.

They’re smart and stick close to their owners. Because they’re big and strong, their bites can really hurt if they’re not trained right. To stop them from behaving badly or being mean, you need to be confident and have experience handling strong, aggressive dogs. This dog can be one of the most aggressive dog breeds.

3. Dachshund

• Average Weight: 15 to 30 pounds (male and female)
• Average Height:  15 to 19 inches (male and female)
• Lifespan: 12 to 16 years

Even though Dachshunds are little, they’re known for being fierce with strangers and even their own family. Because they’re small, they might get scared easily, which makes them bark, growl, or bite to defend themselves.

They might also fight with other dogs because they’re protective of their space. Sometimes, they might even snap or bite at their owner. To stop these behaviors, it’s important to train and introduce them to different situations when they’re young. This helps them learn how to behave and not be so aggressive. However, Dachshunds can be the one of the most aggressive dog breeds.

4. American Pitbull Terrier

• Average Weight: 35 to 60 pounds (male and female)
• Average Height:  18 to 21 inches (male and female)
• Lifespan: 8 to 14 years

American pitbull terrier comes in number four in the list of most aggressive dog breeds. American pitbull terriers are dogs that create a lot of disagreement in the United States. Some people think they’re all mean and unsafe, but others don’t agree. Sadly, pitbulls are often used in dog fights, and they’re really strong with powerful bites.

Because they were bred for fighting and guarding, they might act aggressively, especially if they’re not trained right. If they’re not handled well, they could become dangerous. If you’re thinking about getting a pitbull, it’s important to understand why people argue about them and learn how to take care of them properly. This helps both you and the dog to be happy and safe.

5. Chow Chow

• Average Weight: 40 to 90 pounds (male and female)
• Average Height:  17 to 22 inches (male and female)
• Lifespan: 11 to 13 years

Chow Chows may seem big and fluffy, but they’re known for being a bit distant and sometimes mean. They were first bred to guard and hunt, so they might still like chasing things today.

Even though they can be close to their families, they might get aggressive to protect their space. They might bark, growl, or even bite at strangers or other pets.

To stop them from being mean, you need to train Chow Chows well and be in charge. This helps to control any bad behavior they might have. This dog can be one of the most aggressive dog breeds.

6. German Shepherds

• Average Weight: 66 to 88 pounds (male and female)
• Average Height:  24 to 28 inches (male and female)
• Lifespan: 9 to 13 years

German shepherds are dogs that can sometimes seem aggressive, but with the right teaching and care, they can be gentle and really helpful.

They’re famous for being service dogs, police dogs, and working in the military. They’re great at these jobs because they’re super smart and love to work hard. But, if you want one as a family pet, they might need some extra training.

They often act as guards for their families. Nowadays, they’re not usually mean, thanks to careful breeding, but they’re really strong. If they’re not trained well or don’t meet other dogs and people, they might accidentally hurt someone with their bite or strength. However, German Shepherds can be the one of the most aggressive dog breeds.

7. Akita

• Average Weight: 60 to 100 pounds (male and female)
• Average Height:  23 to 28 inches (male and female)
• Lifespan: 8 to 10 years

Akita comes in number seven in the list of most aggressive dog breeds. The Akita is a big dog from Japan. They’re super loyal to their owners but might not like strangers. Akitas are really strong, so if they attack, it can be really bad.

What makes them dangerous is their jaw shape. It’s like scissors, so their bite is really powerful. And once they bite, it’s hard to make them stop. So, if they bite someone, it can be really serious.

Some places in Indiana have rules about certain types of dogs, like Pit Bulls. In some towns, they’re not allowed in dog parks. Other places say dogs like Akitas, Chow Chows, Doberman Pinschers, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and Wolf Hybrids need special control.

8. Rough Collie

• Average Weight: 40 to 65 pounds (male and female)
• Average Height:  20 to 24 inches (male and female)
• Lifespan: 10 to 12 years

Lassie made this breed famous for being loyal and sweet. But, like the TV show, their reputation might not be completely true. Rough collies (or long-haired collies) were found to be the most aggressive in a study by the University of Helsinki.

These dogs have lots of energy and are always paying attention. That could be why they’re not so friendly with strangers. They’re super loyal, so they might snap if they think their family is in danger. This dog can be one of the most aggressive dog breeds.

9. Siberian Husky

• Average Weight: 45 to 60 pounds (male and female)
• Average Height:  21 to 24 inches (male and female)
• Lifespan: 12 to 14 years

Siberian husky comes on number nine in the list of most aggressive dog breeds. When Siberian huskies act aggressive, it’s often because they’re bored or anxious. They’re also protective and like having their own space. If they’re not used to being around other dogs or animals, they might try to be in charge, which can lead to biting, snarling, growling, or barking.

Huskies like chasing things, so it’s important to teach them not to be too rough when they’re puppies. Usually, they’re not very mean, as long as you know how to take care of them and keep them busy.

10. Doberman Pinschers

• Average Weight: 60 to 100 pounds (male and female)
• Average Height:  24 to 28 inches (male and female)
• Lifespan: 10 to 12 years

The Doberman Pinscher can be a scary dog to have or meet unexpectedly. It’s like suddenly running into a grizzly bear in the woods. Plus, it has the strongest bite of any dog ever recorded, with a bite force of 600 pounds, which makes it really powerful.

Since Dobermans are smart, they can be aggressive when they’re told to be. In 2001, a nine-year-old boy was killed by a Doberman. The owner was blamed because they didn’t watch the dog properly and even trained it to be mean. However, doberman pinschers can be the one of the most aggressive dog breeds.

Tips for Dog Owners to Deal with Aggressive Dogs

Getting a pet is fun, but it means you have responsibilities, especially if your dog gets aggressive sometimes. Here are tips for having a peaceful life with your puppy:

Learn How to Calm Your Dog: You can learn how to calm your dog, especially if it doesn’t happen a lot. Also, trying treats that help calm your dog might work.

Early Training and Proper Socialization: Training your dog early and firmly makes them nice and friendly. Letting them meet different places, people, and animals when they’re puppies is important. Introducing new things in a nice way helps prevent fear and aggression, kind of like a “behavioral vaccine”.

Play vs. Real Aggression: Dogs like playing rough, but it’s normal. Knowing when it’s just playing and when it’s real aggression keeps everyone safe.

Pet Insurance: It can be hard to find insurance for aggressive breeds, but it’s not impossible. It covers any harm your dog might cause. Some plans even cover behavior problems, which helps manage aggression with the right help.

With the right knowledge, having a pet will be fun and full of good memories.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, understanding the potential for aggression in certain dog breeds is crucial for responsible pet ownership. While these top 10 most aggressive dog breeds of 2024 may have traits that predispose them to aggressive behavior, it’s essential to remember that individual temperament and upbringing play significant roles. Proper training, socialization, and responsible ownership can mitigate aggressive tendencies and promote harmony between dogs and their human families.

Moreover, education about dog behavior and responsible breeding practices are essential for preventing incidents and ensuring the well-being of both dogs and the communities they inhabit. Ultimately, with knowledge and care, any dog, regardless of breed, can be a loving and cherished companion.

Read our blog on the topic of 10 Reasons Why Are Dogs Better Than Cats?