What Breed of Dog Is Most Aggressive?

When you are searching for the perfect family pet, you are likely thinking about getting a dog and trying to discern which breed is the best. It's important when you have children, young children in particular, to consider which breeds of dog are known for being aggressive. You may think you already know it's the Pit Bull, Doberman, and Chow that you want to stay clear of. You may believe a smaller dog would be safer and less likely to nip and bite at your children or visiting friends.

Unfortunately, your thinking may not be quite on the mark. The top three most aggressive dog breeds are actually - you guessed it - small ones! Of course, you must remember that virtually any breed of dog can be trained not to bite if they are taught early, consistently and well. There will be, though, those breeds that are more stubborn and resistant to your training, so steering clear of these breeds may be a good idea if you don't have a lot of extra time to train little Fido not to bite people.

Although they generally enjoy a good reputation as pets, Dachshunds, better known, perhaps, as wiener dogs, can be incredibly vicious beasts making them the number one aggressive dog you will find. It is true that a Dachshund, when aggressive, won't inflict the kind of damage that a larger, say Pit Bull or Doberman might should they become aggressive, but it is also true that they will be aggressive more often and more easily. If you have babies or toddlers, it may be best to stay away for getting a Dachshund as a pet for this reason.

The second most aggressive dog, believe it or not, is the tiny Chihuahua. Thought of more as an accessory than a dog, this breed can be quite vicious, snapping, nipping and biting strangers, family and even other dogs. Though they come in an absolutely adorable package and are among the smallest dogs in the world, don't let them fool you - they are beasts. You should consider this quite carefully prior to making your decision to bring one home as the family pet. It may not be the wisest thing to do to bring a Chihuahua home to infants, toddlers, and smaller kids.

Third on the list of most aggressive dog breed is, surprisingly, the Jack Russell Terrier. The seemingly sweet small dog (like the one in Frazier's Sitcom named Eddie) can actually be an incredible beast, picking, digging, fighting, and the like. This is another breed you should likely steer clear of should you have infants, toddlers, or young children.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the lower-aggression breeds include Greyhounds, Bassett Hounds, Golden Retrievers, and Siberian Huskies. These breeds showed a markedly lower propensity toward hostility and aggression.

When you're looking for a breed of dog for your family please keep in mind all of these animals' tendencies toward aggressive behaviors.