15 Dog Breeds You Should Never Mess With

“CaucasianOwcha2” by Canarian is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Dogs are loved by many—but they can be risky sometimes. How dangerous they are mainly depends on how they’re treated and where they live. You can tell by how much they might want to fight, how big they are, and how strong their jaws are. Here are 15 dog breeds you should never mess with!

Rottweiler

a large black and brown dog sitting next to a car
Photo by Luzelle Cockburn on Unsplash

Research suggests that Rottweilers are ten times more prone to attacking or hurting humans than typical dogs. They’re very protective of their owners and might even harm others to keep their owners safe. Their bites are powerful and sometimes deadly. Teaching them to behave well requires patient and consistent training. Rottweilers are often in reports of dog bites and come second for causing human deaths.

Akita

selective focus photography of dog looking at fence
Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unsplash

The Akita is a member of the spitz-type dog family, like the Chow Chow and Alaskan Malamute. People bred them carefully to be guards and hunters, which is why they’re really into chasing prey. They’re also loyal and love to work, but they can be quite independent. A study showed that they can be more aggressive and protective of their territory.

American XL Bully Dog

American Pit Bull Terrier Puppy on Window Pane Close-up Photo
Photo by stiv xyz on Pexels

The American XL Bully Dog is a bigger version of a breed registered by the United Kennel Club. They’re strong dogs. Studies found that a dog’s skull size, shape, and weight affect how strong its bite is and how risky it might be. Because of worries about recent attacks on people, England and Wales have banned this breed.

American Pit Bull

“American Pit Bull Terrier” by Scott Kinmartin is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The American Pit Bull is a strong dog. It’s got a bulldog’s big muscles and a terrier’s quick moves, so it’s really something! They’ve got powerful jaws; sadly, some people make them fight in other countries. But they’re not naturally mean. If they’re taken care of right—they’re loving and friendly dogs.

Caucasian Shepherd

“Caucasian Mountain Dog” by RebaSpike is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The Caucasian Shepherd is a big dog from Europe. It was first used to protect farm animals in the mountains. These dogs are so tough that they can even scare off bears and wolves! These dogs are massive—usually weighing around 50 kilograms. They’re very strong, protective, and can be fierce. Before they hang out with people, they need good training.

Siberian Husky

Siberian Husky Lying On the Snow Covered Ground
Photo by Kateryna Babaieva on Pexels

Siberian Huskies are considered one of the riskier dog breeds. But it’s not because they’re mean—they’ve got tons of energy! They’re playful and loving. But because they’re so big and full of energy, they might accidentally hurt children when they get too excited. Even a friendly pat can turn into a bad accident in a flash. 

Boerboel

A Short Coat Dog on the Green Grass
Photo by CESAR A RAMIREZ VALLEJO TRAPHITHO on Pexels

The Boerboel is a big dog, and that’s why it’s on this list. People bred them to protect farm animals, mixing them with a dog called the German Bullenbeisser—like a mastiff. Studies found that mastiffs have powerful jaws. A dog’s job is to stop intruders, and this dog’s got all it takes to do that. But because of that, they can be more of a threat than other breeds.

Chihuahua

Chihuahua Lying on White Textile
Photo by nishizuka on Pexels

You might be surprised to see the Chihuahua on this list. But small dogs like them can be pretty aggressive—mostly because they’ve had to learn to defend themselves. Scientists think that not getting enough attention might make them act out more. Because they’re small, people might not have tried as hard to breed out that aggressive behavior. It could also be in their genes. 

Doberman Pinscher

“pinscher-doberman” by tnssofres is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The Doberman Pinscher became famous for following tax collectors on their rounds. They’re often mentioned in reports of deadly dog attacks because they have a powerful bite—about 245 pounds per square inch (PSI). They’re loving with their family, but they’re also protective and cautious around strangers, which might make them act aggressive sometimes.

German Shepherd

“German Shepherd” by Magnus Bråth is licensed under CC BY 2.0

German Shepherd dogs are popular in the military and police for good reason. They’re intelligent, loyal, and always watch out for those they’re in charge of protecting. They’re good at sensing danger, and they work hard without giving up. With a bite force of 238 pounds per square inch (PSI), they’re definitely not a pup you want to mess with. But because of their job, they might have to bite a person occasionally.

Boxer

“Boxer Dog” by LukePricePhotography is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Boxers are known for being stubborn and strong-willed. They have powerful bites, which is why they’re often picked as guard dogs. With the right training, they can be really brave and heroic. But if they’re treated badly, they can get very aggressive. They originally came from Germany and were used for hunting, so they needed to learn to be friendly around people through proper socialization.

Jack Russell Terrier

“Jack Russel Terrier” by Marius Svoboda is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Jack Russell Terriers are lively little dogs with a big hunting instinct. They were initially bred to chase foxes, but they can learn to control that urge with proper training. They can be very aggressive around smaller animals like hamsters and cats. They might have trouble making friends with other dogs because they can be bossy, but early training can help them with that, too.

Chow Chow

“Chow Puppy” by jmcmichael is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Chow Chows are called “puffy lion dogs” in China because they look a bit like lions and have strong jaws. That’s why they are dangerous. They’re also quite moody and always want their owner’s attention. They need to have stuff to do constantly, or they might start causing trouble. These pups can be a handful for their owners—but if they’re trained well, they can be super loving. 

Tosa Inu

“Tosa inu LM546” by Lilly M is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5

The Tosa Inu is a rare and dangerous dog breed that’s banned in many countries, including New Zealand, the UK, and Hong Kong. Just twenty years ago, there were thousands of reports of attacks by Tosa Inus. They’re still used in dog fighting in Japan. Because of the bans, very few breeders remain, so this dangerous breed is now rare.

Dogo Argentino

“Dogo Argentino o Mastiff Argentino” by Hugo Quintero is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Dogo Argentinos, including wild boar and pumas, were originally bred for big-game hunting. They are powerful, athletic dogs with a high prey drive, which can make them potentially dangerous, especially around smaller animals or unfamiliar individuals. Due to their hunting instincts and physical capabilities, they need firm and consistent training to manage their behavior and aggression.