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.
1. American Pit Bull Terrier. The American Pit Bull Terrier is considered one of the most dangerous dog breeds – both in the U.S. and internationally. They are a very aggressive breed and have been known to attack and kill people.
Labrador Retrievers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Newfoundlands are among the safest dog breeds that are least likely to bite, new research has found. While any dog can nip, these breeds are known for their particularly sweet-tempered spirit as long as they are treated right.
These long-haired pups were bred by Tibetan monks to be alert-dogs, so naturally, they are big barkers. Lhasas have also been described as manipulative, mischievous and uncompromising.
1. Samoyed – $14,000. Coming in at the #1 overall spot for the most expensive dog in the world is the Samoyed originating from Siberia. The rare breed is known for its kind, loving, and eager to please attitude along with their smiling faces.
1. Border collie. According to The Intelligence of Dogs, which ranks 131 dog breeds in terms of their relative intelligence, the border collie is the smartest dog breed known to man.
Since their domestication thousands of years ago, dogs have been used to protect the home and the workplace, giving owners a sense of security against intruders. The most common dogs used for protection are larger breeds like Dobermans, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, Chows, and Pit Bulls.
"The motivation for lots of dog bites is fear," he says. "Others are territorial - if they're guarding something that they highly value, or defending their favourite resting place, their bed... Or if they've learned to defend, say, a dog bowl - that can result in aggression."
The ultimate Velcro dog, the Hungarian Vizsla is the perfect example of a clingy breed. A loyal and loving companion, these dogs are known for following their owners 24/7. They were originally bred for falconry and are used to staying by their owner's side at all times… and we mean ALL times!
If you feel compelled to go for a guard dog, however, and you're willing to train it, here's the Top 10, in order: bull mastiff, Doberman pinscher, Rottweiler, komondor, puli, giant schnauzer, German shepherd, Rhodesian ridgeback, Kuvasz and American Staffordshire terrier.
Interestingly, studies have found that the opposite is true. Smaller dogs tend to be more aggressive than larger dogs, which may mean that they are more likely to bite.
The most effective trained guard dogs for sale are the German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, and other so-called “Guardian breeds.” These dogs are fearless, easily trainable, and have the distinct talent of discerning a threatening situation from a harmless one.