Common Dangerous Dog Breeds

This page of the website lists and addresses the commonly recognized breeds of dangerous dogs. It is important to understand and remember that no breed of dog is guaranteed to be 100% bite-free or attack-free. Whiles these may have more history pertaining to biting, any dog can bite under certain circumstances.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that 25 breeds of dogs were involved in 238 fatal dog bites from 1979-1998. More than half of the deaths for which the breed was known and documented were caused by Pit Bull type dogs and Rottweilers.

Due to the exposure and cost of dog bite liability claims, some insurance companies have blacklisted certain breeds and are now refusing to provide homeowners insurance to those who own certain dog breeds. According to the Insurance Information Institute, liability claims have increased from $250 million in 1996 to $310 million in 2001.

"Blacklisted" or Breeds that have caused Concern include:

• Pit Bulls
• Rottweilers
• Chow Chows
• Doberman Pinschers
• German Shepherds
• Siberian Huskies
• Alaskan Malamutes
• Akitas
• American Staffordshire
• Terriers Boxers
• Great Danes
• Wolf-Hybrids
• Perro de Presa Canarios
• Airedale Terrier
• Akbash
• Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
• Alsatian Shepherd
• American Bulldog
• American Husky
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• American Wolfdog
• Anatolian Shepherd
• Arikara Dog
• Australian Cattle Dog
• Australian Shepherd
• Belgian Malinois
• Belgian Sheepdog
• Belgian Turvuren
• Blue Heeler
• Boerbul
• Borzoi
• Boston Terrier
• Bouvier Des Flandres
• Boxer
• Bulldog
• Bull Terrier
• Bull Mastiff
• Cane Corso
• Catahoula Leopard Dog
• Caucasian Shepherd
• Chinese Shar Pei
• Chow-Chow
• Colorado Dog
• Doberman Pinscher
• Dogo de Argentino
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• English Mastiffs
• English Springer Spaniel
• Eskimo Dog
• Estrela Mountain Dog
• Fila Brasiliero
• Fox Terrier
• French Bulldog
• German Shepherd Dog
• Golden Retriever
• Greenland Husky
• Great Dane
• Great Pyranees
• Italian Mastiff
• Kangal Dog
• Keeshond
• Komondor
• Kotezebue Husky
• Kuvaz
• Labrador Retriever
• Leonberger
• Mastiff
• Neopolitan mastiff
• Newfoundland
• Otterhound
• Presa de Canario
• Presa de Mallorquin
• Pug
• Rottweiler
• Saarloos Wolfhond
• Saint Bernard
• Samoyed
• Scottish Deerhound
• Siberian Husky
• Spanish Mastiff
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Timber Shepherd
• Tosa Inu
• Tundra Shepherd
• Wolf Spitz

*The Presa Canario breed came to the forefront when Diane Whipple was attacked and killed outside the door of her California apartment.

*Any dog that has any of the above breeds in their lineage, could at least in theory have issues. It is also important to remember any dog or animal can have issues if the animal is being abused, mistreated or improperly cared for or handled.