Probably the most notorious breed on this list, the pit bull has a reputation for unpredictability and aggression, even against its owner or his family. State and local governments have been vigorous in restricting ownership of this dog with breed-specific legislation.
According to Svartberg's data (PDF), a pinscher, a Bernese mountain dog, or an English springer spaniel might be the most disloyal since each ranks very low on playfulness, with moderate sociability.
Shar-Pei. Beloved for its wrinkled features, the Shar-Pei was bred as a guard dog in China. As a result, this breed is generally more aloof with people and wary of strangers. They are loyal to their owners and benefit greatly from early training and socialization.
Statistics show that the highest dog attacks by breed are from Pit Bulls. Their natural aggression and high provocation rate from humans cause Pit Bulls to have the highest attack rate in the United States when compared to other dog breeds.
Pitbulls came in at number one for the breed responsible for the most dog bites, at 10.3 per cent. They're believed to have a predisposition to violent behaviour, thanks to their history of being used as fighting dogs.
Collies have also become less popular than, say, goldens and Labs because they're not as interactive with their human families, which is what people want more and more. “A collie will play,” Dr. Bell says, “but she's going to give up sooner. She'll say, 'Yeah, this is fun, but I'm not chasing this anymore.
When choosing a dog, pick one that is active, friendly, inquisitive, and not afraid of you. The dog should accept gentle handling and not exhibit signs of aggression. The temperament of a puppy's parents may be an indication of its future behavior.
Like Labs, Goldens were bred to be obedient and less reactive hunting companions, says Dr. Houpt. This tends to make them less likely to snap, particularly at kids. They're also eager-to-please and people-oriented, making them natural family sidekicks, DiNardo notes.
The type of dogs stolen reflects those that are of highest value for resale and breeding. Among the most likely victims are the 'fashionable' breeds such as the Pugs, French Bulldogs and Chihuahuas and those with unusual colours are particularly vulnerable.
Dog bites are not rare; these are common events that occur in normal family's lives and it is estimated that 15% of dog owners have been bitten by their own dog.
Fearful and anxious dogs are known to behave more aggressively towards strangers than relaxed hounds, and previous studies have associated small size with fearfulness. That make perfect sense – they're so vulnerable. Small dogs are also often less obedient and less well house-trained.
A family pet has been put down after the dog attacked a nine month old baby boy in Wagga Wagga last night. Police say the boy's mother pulled the golden retriever off her son when the dog attacked the child inside the family home at 6 o'clock.
There are a number of dog breeds that have been identified as being more prone to antisocial behaviour than others. One reason is that some breeds have been bred for aggression. These include the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the Rottweiler.
