Meanest Dog Breeds

What do you mean by the term meanest dog breeds? Are these the dogs that have been reported to have caused the maximum number of human attacks or those, whose attacks have been known to be deadly? Well in case of either of the criteria, the important point to be kept in mind is that all these categorizations depend on the number of reported cases of dog bites. However, it is common sense that more severe the bites, the greater the probability of it being reported. Hence, dogs that have caused severe bites are more likely to be reported than those that caused less severe bites, even if such bites occurred with lower frequency. This is just one facet of the dilemma of making a list of the meanest dog breeds. Let’s see what people have to say when we use the phrase ‘meanest dog breeds.’

Meanest Dog Breeds - Myth or Truth?
Well we know that dogs are a domesticated form of the Gray wolf. They have the oldest history than any other animal, of having served human beings as companions and as hunting dogs, through his struggle for survival. Given the fact that their ancestors are from the wild, some amount of aggression is expected. That is why some dogs like German Shepherds are so popular as guard dogs.

By mean breeds do we mean ones that are more inclined to attack humans or those that cause more damage when they attack. While in the latter case the built of the dog and the power of its jaw does matter, the fact is that as far as a dog’s temperament is concerned, a lot depends upon the environment he was raised and the human hands that raised it. Abuse and years of inhumane treatment can turn a calm dog into an aggressive one. Whereas proper care and dog training can make a short tempered canine, more patient. Keeping these facts in mind, most dog owners and dog lovers agree that the term meanest dog breeds is misleading. Nevertheless, depending upon the data available and researches done, I enlist some of the most aggressive dogs in the world.

Meanest Dogs in the World - Looks Can Be Deceptive!
Which dog breed comes to your mind when we talk about world's meanest dog breeds? The American Pitbull? The Rottweiler or the German Shepherd? If those are what you are thinking, then you are in for a big surprise, just like me! A recent study has shown that the English Cocker Spaniel is the most aggressive breed of dogs. These dogs are more likely to attack their owners than the American Pitbull or the Rottweiler. Other seemingly good tempered dog breeds that many studies suggest we should be careful of, are:

• Chihuahua dogs - Termed as one of the best small dog breeds by many, Chihuahua dogs are not meant to be left with tots. They are better off with the adults.
• Toy poodles - These are known to bite people and other animals out of a reaction of self defense. Unfortunately what we consider as playing, the toy poodles interpret as attack.
• Dachshunds – Dachshunds are not known to have too much patience.

Top Ten Meanest Dog Breeds - As They Would Say...
Aggression in the case of these breeds may not come as a surprise because of their size. Nevertheless, these breeds are feared and have gained notoriety as being mean and dangerous dog breeds. It is more so because these are large dog breeds and are powerful. When agitated they can cause harm with their sharp teeth and powerful jaws. Here are the 10 meanest dog breeds, as found by certain studies. The order of the breeds mentioned, have no correlation to their degree of aggression.

The American Pitbull
Almost a legend for their powerful bites and aggressive attacks, pitbulls are known to attack people and maul them to death. They are prized participants of dog fights.

Rottweiler
An intelligent and highly energetic dog, the Rottweiler is also nicknamed the ‘butcher dog’. They have keen territorial instincts and hence make great guard dogs. However, if abused or lacking in supervision during interaction with humans and other animals while growing up, they can be vicious to strangers. Read more on facts about Rottweilers.

German Shepherd
An intelligent and faithful breed, German Shepherd dogs are highly energetic dogs and an asset as guard dogs. However, they gain notoriety due to their powerful bites and aggression towards smaller breeds of dogs. Read more on facts about German Shepherd.

Boxer
Though not very aggressive despite the name, Boxers are headstrong dogs that are difficult to train. If something goes wrong with the breeding, socializing and training of Boxers, they become very aggressive dogs that can also kill other animals. However, with proper guidance they respond much better to commands. Read more on Boxer puppies.

Huskies
Again, these are intelligent and energetic dogs, but are not a preferred choice for guard dogs, due to their personality characteristics. Although they are of milder temperament than the other dog breeds mentioned so far, Husky bites accounted for almost 6% of dog bites in the US between 1979 and 1997.

Alaskan Malamutes
These dogs have Nordic origin. Although very active, they tend to become disobedient and destructive when bored. Enough activity is required to enable them to spend their energy. Hence their owners need to handle them very carefully and ensure that they have enough exercise. They show hostile attitude towards dogs of the same sex.

Doberman Pinschers
A German dog breed, Doberman Pinschers if cared for properly can turn out to be extremely loyal to their owners. However, Doberman Pinschers tend to show a degree of possessiveness for their owners and have an uncalled-for aggressive attitude towards strangers. If abused by their owners these dogs can become very dominant and aggressive.

Chow Chow
As the name suggests, the Chow Chow are natives of China. Although they seem aloof, they require a lot of attention. If they are not treated well, they can show a real nasty temperament. These dogs have a mind of their own and need a smart owner to keep their dominant nature under control.

Presa Canario
This breed is reputed for the ferocity of its attacks. Anything that gets lodged within its jaws, can’t escape alive. They have earned their reputation for being dauntless, having incredible strength and man-stopping abilities.

Dalmatian
Their protective and sensitive nature makes them aggressive towards human beings. Dalmatians need a lot of exercise. Lack of proper handling and dog care can make this breed quite undesirable as a pet. It is also known to attack other animals and growl at strangers.

Read more on:

• List Of Different Dog Breeds
• Smartest Dog Breeds.

Although some dogs are more inclined to be aggressive than others, it is difficult for me to term some of them as the meanest dog breeds. Nevertheless, people are trying to find breeds whose attacks can be very ferocious. Well there is just one thing that I would like to remind everyone of as I end this article - if you are getting a pet home, treat it right. It is your responsibility and the animal deserves your care.