Aggressive Dog Breeds

Pets are treasured members of our families and households. This is as true in San Antonio as it is anywhere in the country. Surveys of dog owners consistently show just how deep that bond runs. In one national Rover poll, roughly 94 percent of owners said they consider their dog a member of the family, and many reported taking more photos of their dogs than of friends or relatives, greeting their pets before anyone else when they come home, and including their dogs in holidays, trips, and family photos.

Yes, dogs can certainly be man's best friend. But what happens when a San Antonio resident owns a dog from one of the breeds often associated with aggression and someone becomes the victim of a dog bite or animal attack?

Dog attacks remain a serious public-safety problem across the United States. Each year, Americans suffer an estimated 4.5 million dog bites, and roughly 800,000 of those are serious enough to require medical care. The problem has grown worse recently: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 127 dog-related deaths in 2024, the highest number ever documented, with early figures for 2025 at a similar level. Insurers handled more than 28,000 dog-related liability claims in 2025 alone.

It is important to understand that no government agency tracks dog bites by breed. Any ranking of "aggressive" breeds comes from news reports, advocacy groups, and insurance tallies rather than official statistics. What the record does make clear is that larger, more powerful dogs tend to cause far more severe injuries when an attack does occur. Below, our San Antonio dog bite attorneys have compiled information on the breeds most frequently cited in serious attacks. While you can never know for certain when or why a dog will become aggressive, it is wise to keep a watchful eye around the following breeds:

• Pit Bulls
• Rottweilers
• German Shepherds
• Huskies
• Doberman Pinschers
• Chows

No breed is inherently dangerous, and any dog, regardless of breed, can and will bite someone under the right circumstances, such as mistreatment, the behavior of the victim, or a perceived threat to the dog or its family. What sets these breeds apart is not a guarantee of aggression but the reality that their size and strength mean a single bite can result in catastrophic injury. That is why bites involving large, powerful dogs so often appear among the most serious and most costly dog-attack claims.

An attack from an aggressive or dangerous dog can be traumatizing and disruptive to your daily life. You may incur unexpected medical treatment, have to deal with law enforcement and local animal control agencies, and face the complicated process of filing an injury claim against the owner of the dog. It is therefore imperative to have a knowledgeable attorney by your side.

If you've experienced a dog attack in San Antonio, the medical expenses you incur may be covered by the dog owner's insurance. You can be sure that the insurance company will employ attorneys to help them minimize what they pay out. You need a lawyer ready to fight on your behalf and make sure you receive the compensation to which you're entitled. An experienced attorney will know how to deal with the insurance company so you don't have to.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a dog bite or other animal-related injury, please contact the attorneys of Carabin Shaw in San Antonio today. We offer free initial consultations and work on a contingent fee basis, which means that there is never a fee unless we successfully resolve your case.

For immediate assistance and to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers, call us toll-free at 866-216-5244.