We have all heard and read in the news of vicious dogs attacking, mauling, injuring and sometime killing innocent people, and worst of all children. I just read this story today of a poor young child who was mauled to death in the UK by an 'illegal' dog breed.

This was the first I'd heard of any dog breed, in this case a pit bull terrier type, being outlawed and banned. This discussion has taken place here in the states, but I'm not too aware if there are certain breeds here that have been made illegal, but I think it's an interesting question. There have been many heartbreaking stories about people being killed or maimed by pitbulls, not to mention other breeds of dogs as well.

What is your opinion on this issue, and should these breeds be outlawed? Should they be bred only under certain controlled conditions? Most domestic purebred dogs are bred to have certain characteristics. Is there a place in our society today for these dangerous dog breeds?

I am sure there is a place for these dangerous dog breeds, but I really don't think they should be the family pet or your neighbor's dog.

What really brings the ownership of these dangerous breeds down is that there are way too many irresponsible owners. They just don't care and let their dogs get out and roam around, opening the door for bad things to happen.

I understand that some people really adore certain breeds that others live in fear of, and it is unfortunate that the irresponsible folks ruin it for them. But another fact remains...these breeds are known to turn even in the best home environment.


I have grown quite tired of the argument that "he's such a sweet dog, he will only lick you to death..." said of a Rot or Pit Bull. Thing is, these dogs have the absolue ability to inflict great harm and have aggressiveness in their breeding history.

I wish they would stop being bred. I think that would be the best thing.

So what are the more dangerous breeds?

Pitbull, Rot, Doberman...

What else?

Boxers and Huskies are dangerous. Chow Chows can be very dangerous if bred carelessly. Dalmations are one of the most dangerous because families don't realize that they really are not great family dogs.

German Sheppard's can be ferocious too.

I think the problem with pitbulls is that you're taking a dog that, for generations, has been bred for it's ferociousness and it's ability to fight. Turning a dog like that into a family dog just does not work very well unless you have a very skilled trainer, and even then it's risky. There's a reason why there are strict laws about owning wild animals and pit bulls are little more than that. In the wrong hands, any dog can be vicious, but pit bulls have been specifically bred for dog fighting for years. Theses dogs were bred to be violent, aggressive and to be killers. I know that some cities have banned pit bulls.

The problem is that people don't always research a dog - they're swayed by the cute people and don't realize what the dog will grow up to be like. Watch 101 Dalmatians and who wouldn't be swayed by the adorable puppies but those puppies grow into a very high energy dog. same for Malamutes and Huskies. Our family looked into getting one at one point, but realized that they just wouldn't work for our family as we travel too much and don't have a fenced in yard. Plus these are dogs that will out last you. They're used to going something like 60 miles a day on a sled.

Last year the local SPCA ran an article in the newspaper, cautioning people about adopting dogs in the heat of the moment, especially young men. The majority of dogs in the pound are pit bulls - either purebred of mostly pit bull. The SPCA said they see a lot of young guys getting a pit bull as a puppy because they think it's a cool dog to have, but they aren't prepared to train the dog and then these dogs get surrendered to the pound a few years later when the guy looses interest or gets a new job and moves and doesn't want the dog anymore. The article said that the majority of surrendered pit bulls come from you males in their 20's and early 30's.

I'd love to get a dog one day, it's not something I'd do without consulting an expert who could match my family (when I have one) and I with one that suits our lifestyle.

I hate pitbulls, absolutely despise them. When I was a little kid of about 4 or 5, one of my grandmothers neighbors had a crazy....probably rabid....pitbull that escaped their yard and attacked me. Fortunately the old woman who lived in the house was able to call him back before anything serious happened, but I walked away with a bitten pants leg. As the years went by, they continued to replace crazy dogs with more crazy dogs....all of them hanging around in their unsecured backyard, easily able to escape their thin little gate, and often getting out and attacking passers by.

That's the problem with "dangerous" dogs, the owners get them to posture and barely train them. In the case of my grandmothers neighbor, the old woman had a bunch of delinquent grandsons living with her, who probably kept them for the sake of status ("Don't fuck with my yard, I got dogs").

I think if you raise the dog from puppy-hood to adult status with affection, discipline, proper training (and around the core circle of people it will ultimately be around), most "dangerous" breeds will generally act right.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Dog Breeds

22 reported dog bite related human fatalities in the United States in 2004.
2005 - 29 human fatalities.
2006 - 26.

In 2007, there were 33 human fatalities. 45% of the attacks occurred to
adults over the age of 18, and 55% occurred to ages below. Pit bull
type dogs were responsible for 67% of fatalities, the next closest
breed was the rottweiler at 12%. But all dog breeds are potentially dangerous.

In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that 25 breeds of dogs were involved in 238 fatal dog bites from 1979-1998.

Here it is the compiled list of the most dangerous dog breeds:

1. Pit Bulls (Weight: 55-65 lbs.) Pitbull is one of the most brave and dauntless dogs that usually takes on any opponent. Therefore they take part in dog fighting. It is common knowledge that this dog breed can even mangle the human to death as pit bull locks its jaws onto the booty until it is dead.

2. Rottweilers (Weight: 100-130 lbs.) Due to their intense territorial instinct these dogs are very aggressive. Rottweilers are commonly used as guard dogs.

3. German Shepherds (Weight: 70-100 lbs.) This breed of dogs is known as a smart and vigilant one. As German Shepherds proved to be confident and fearless local authorities such as the police K-9 unit use German Shepherds as a police dog.

4. Huskies (Weight: 44-66 lbs.) Despite of their energy and intelligence this breed is not regarded a good guard dog. It is caused by its kind temperament and personality characteristics. However it should be marked that between 1979 and 1997 fifteen fatal cases were caused by huskies.

5. Alaskan Malamutes (Weight: 75-100 lbs.) This breed requires a lot of exercises to be happy as being bored they become disobedient. On the whole their characteristic features are energy and activity.

6. Doberman Pinschers (Weight: 65-90 lbs.) Doberman Pinschers are famed by such features as alertness, intelligence and loyalty. Therefore they are considered to be one of the best guard dog breeds. The dog usually attacks only in case its family is in danger or when being provoked.

7. Chow Chow (Weight: 50-70 lbs.) The Chow Chow seems to be distant and independent, however they require staunch attention. If badly bred they can become aggressive dogs.

8. Presa Canario ( Weight: 80-115 lbs.) It is well known that an attack of this guard dog can bring to the death any prey. One of the main features of this dog is fearlessness, huge power and man-stopping ability.

9. Boxer (Weight: 50-70 lbs.) These dogs are intelligent, frisky and full of energy. It is not so easy to train them as they are self-willed breed. In addition, boxers are not typically aggressive by nature.

10. Dalmatian (Weight: 40-70 lbs.) This breed is distinguished by intelligence and perfect memory, independence and survival instincts. Sometimes Dalmatians can be aggressive towards people.

femme fatale wrote:

So what are the more dangerous breeds?

Pitbull, Rot, Doberman...

What else?

I have a Dobie and he is as friendly as any Colie and can play around with my neices and nephews without anyone being worried. There are no rotten dogs, only rotten owners who make them that way.

I love Rottweilers and Dobermans. They have terrible reputations, but that's because only two types of people tend to be interested in owning them: trainers and thugs.