Which Breed Of Dog Is Most Aggressive?

[pitc9]

http://www.newsnet5.com/family/16819735/detail.html

Study Finds Dachshund To Be Most Aggressive Breed

They may not look as threatening as some of the larger canine, but research revealed that the dachshund is the most aggressive breed of dog.

Citing a study published by Applied Animal Behavior Science, the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported that one in five dachshunds has bitten or tried to bite strangers, and one in 12 has shown aggression toward its owners.

The study involved researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. About 6,000 dog owners were questioned about their dogs' behavior. Thirty-three breeds were ranked on their aggression.

Ranking below the dachshund was an even smaller dog, the Chihuahua. According to the newspaper, research found that the tiny breed often snaps at most beings it encounters -- including its owners, strangers and other dogs.

The Jack Russell terrier was third, followed by the Akita and the Australian cattle dog. The pit bull was sixth, followed by the beagle, the English springer spaniel, the border collie and the German shepherd.

The Telegraph reported that researchers said previous studies on canine aggression could have been misleading as most bites from smaller dogs were not reported. According to the researchers, bites from larger dogs were more likely to require medical attention than those from smaller dogs.

According to the Telegraph, the Rottweiler, which is widely believed to be an aggressive dog, scored average to below average ratings for its hostility toward strangers.

The newspaper reported that some of the lowest scoring breeds for aggression included the Basset hound, golden retriever, Labradors, Siberian huskies and greyhounds.

[caseysmom]

I almost posted that too! Good article...

[CathyBogart]

Interesting article. When I worked in a clinic, my theory with Daschunds was that they were simply smarter than us humans and knew how to get their way, hee hee....I remember one little gal who did NOT want her nails trimmed....

First, she figured out how to get out of her muzzle. So, we fitted her with a different muzzle and she figured out how to nibble at us THROUGH the muzzle. 0_0 Once we were done with her nails she was a baby doll, she just knew what she wanted and how to get it! Smarter than the vet techs, I swear it.

[lizbud]

Good article, thanks for sharing it. I've read other articles that say
the larger breeds are least likely to bite without warning.

I'm biased, but most well bred GSDs are way to smart to see the need
to bite, as it's first reaction, to a stranger. They are pretty good judges
of human intentions.

[Alysser]

Great article!! It makes me happy that this was published. Maybe it will shed some light on the situation. I think most people are afraid of pits more because they are bigger. There are some dogs I know who the only person who COULD GET NEAR THEM was their owner. Guess what? One was a Jack Russel and the other was a dachsund mix.

[Sevaede]

My sisters parents have two dachshunds. One is VERY, VERY aggressive. However, it is due to them (the PARENTS, not the kids) antagonizing the poor dog into it all. If you even LOOK at this dog, and he perceives it wrong, he will run at you, snapping, growling, barking, etc. The other one is protective over food and will attack you if you try to bathe him. He won't attack you for looking at him, though.

[Jessika]

Huh I just find this article so ironic because so many people have skewed ideas about dogs and aggression, that a big dog running up to you to say hi is going to attack, but a small dog running up to say hi is cute and cuddly???

Anyway good to see some light being shed, not that "big dogs are off the hook" but moreso that ANY dog and ANY breed can be prone to behavioral problems.

Also, since many bad habits are considered "cute" when smaller breeds do them and are usually not corrected (such as jumping, nipping, barking, growling etc), but are completely unacceptable for a large dog to do and must be corrected or the dog is considered "dangerous" and/or "aggressive"...

Thanks for posting!!

[robinh]

I agree Doxies can be difficult and a handful. I have two - each of whom have very different personalities. Max is all talk and no action - lots of noise, but he runs backwards as he barks. Muffin (the Princess) is very quiet, but don't press your luck around her - she snaps and she's really fast.

Doxies are big dogs stuck in little dog bodies. They are also clowns. Both mine have been a laugh a minute - making them absolutely priceless.

I've had chesapeakes, yorkies, bichons, mixed breeds, and chihuahuas. If I ever get another dog, it'll be a rescue dachshund. I love the breed.

[cyber-sibes]

[url]The newspaper reported that some of the lowest scoring breeds for aggression included the Basset hound, golden retriever, Labradors, Siberian huskies and greyhounds.

Well hallelluia! Somebody go inform the insurance companies! (Huskies are on the blacklist of several insurance co.'s as "dangerous dogs". You can be denied insurance, or denied renewal of insurance, if you own one.)

[Karen]

I wonder how much of it due to the fact that many people don't bother with training for the "little cute" dogs, because they're just "so darned cute," and create a problem when there need not be one. Dachshunds were bred for generation upon generation to be independent little vermin hunters. This does NOT a lap-dog make them! Training, training, training!

[cassiesmom]

My upstairs neighbor has a black and tan long-haired Dachshund, Bailey. I don't know that I'd use the word aggressive to describe her. She can be very feisty, though. If she doesn't want someone to pet her, they'd best not even try. A big dog in a small body is a very accurate description. She does allow me to pet her head when her person is nearby.

[Jessika]

I wonder how much of it due to the fact that many people don't bother with training for the "little cute" dogs, because they're just "so darned cute," and create a problem when there need not be one. Dachshunds were bred for generation upon generation to be independent little vermin hunters. This does NOT a lap-dog make them! Training, training, training!

Exactly my point too, Karen!

[BC_MoM]

I wonder if Border Collies were deemed "aggressive" because of their nipping... I honestly don't think it is a very accurate or researched article.

[Catlady711]

I have to basically agree with the article overall. The smaller dog breeds it listed are the ones we most often have to put caution or muzzle lables on their files. I've told people time and time again I'd rather deal with a rottie or pit anyday (of course I'm partial to those breeds) than a small dog anyday. I can't say how much is the owner, the breeding, or the dog itself, but it does seem to bear up with what I encounter at work most often.

Although we've noticed a tendancy for long haired chihuahuas, dashounds, and Jack Russels to be a bit more cooperative and friendly compared to the short haired versions of their breeds. Maybe it's just the particular ones we've encountered.

I wonder if Border Collies were deemed "aggressive" because of their nipping... I honestly don't think it is a very accurate or researched article.

Not that I have anything against you or Boder Collies (they are rather cute). However the article states the survey was based on OWNER responses to their own dogs. "About 6,000 dog owners were questioned about their dogs' behavior."

From a vet assistant's standpoint I'm not going to stop and take the time to determine if a dog is 'nipping' or actually going to bite. After recently having had 7 stitches in my finger from a dog bite I can tell you the difference is irrelevent when it comes to safety.

[Glacier]

Well hallelluia! Somebody go inform the insurance companies! (Huskies are on the blacklist of several insurance co.'s as "dangerous dogs". You can be denied insurance, or denied renewal of insurance, if you own one.)

The problem with those lists is that they list "husky", not Siberian Husky. Any dog with prick ears and a curled tail is a husky on most of those lists, including the CDC bite list, which is what many insurance companies base their banned breeds on.