The World’s 10 Most Dangerous Dog Breeds

10. Great Dane

It seems that fast early growth in big breeds contributes to free-radical diseases like cancers.There are also links between the stress upon the skeletal system - they grow too fast for their skeletons to handle. This info is from page 10 of the study ... it's very interesting.

9. Boxer

The Boxer is a breed of medium-sized, short-haired dogs developed in Germany. Their coat is smooth and tight-fitting; colors arefawn or brindled, with or without white markings, which may cover the entire body, and white. Boxers are brachycephalic (they have broad, short skulls), have a square muzzle, mandibular prognathism (an underbite), very strong jaws, and a powerful bite ideal for hanging on to large prey. The Boxer was bred from the Old English Bulldog and the now extinct Bullenbeisser, and is part of theMolosser group. The Boxer is a member of the Working Group.

Boxers were first exhibited in a dog show for St. Bernards in Munich in 1895, the first Boxer club being founded the next year. Based on 2013 American Kennel Club statistics, Boxers held steady as the seventh most popular breed of dog in the United Statesfor the fourth consecutive year

8. Wolf Hybrid

All dogs are descendants of wolves, but many of today’s dog species are still directly crossbred with these wild animals. Because of the inherent danger in breeding a wild animal with a domestic one, these dogs are often extremely skittish and unpredictable, to the point that many states have made it illegal to own a wolf hybrid. The CDC determined that wolf hybrids were responsible for the deaths of 14 people in the United States from 1979 to 1998.

7. Malamute

According to a University of Texas study, Malamutes were responsible for five fatal dog bites in the United States from 1966 to 1980. These dogs are often used as sled dogs, and they are the state dog of Alaska. They are intimidating dogs known for having high prey drives – which means they often attack smaller animals.

6. Husky

Like the Malamute, the Husky is primarily known as a sled dog. Huskies are athletic and energetic dogs. Because of the breed’s history as a working dog, they are not primarily intended to be social – unlike breeds specifically meant to be pets. Siberian Huskies were responsible for 15 mauling deaths in the United States between 1979 and 1998.

5. Bullmastiff

Bullmastiffs are large and intimidating dogs, and males can reach weights as much as 130 pounds. Their large size makes them an imposing animal and training is of the utmost importance to keep this dog breed obedient. Bullmastiffs were bred as guard dogs, so they have a naturally aggressive temperament. This year in New Jersey, a Bullmastiff attacked and killed a 13-year-old boy after it escaped its enclosure. In Texas, again this year, another Bullmastiff killed a teenage boy after he saved a young girl that the dog was attacking.

4. Doberman Pinscher

Doberman Pinschers were once commonly used as police dogs, but this is less commonplace today. Dobermans can be often be aggressive towards strangers, but less frequently towards their owners. The breed’s reputation has improved in recent years, but their size and strength still makes them potentially dangerous. The last reported case of a death caused by a Doberman in the United States happened in 2011 when an elderly woman was killed by her pet.

3. German Shepherd

The bite of a German Shepherd has a force of over 1,060 newtons, and some studies show that German Shepherds have a tendency to bite and attack smaller dogs. Last year, a 35-year old woman was attacked in her home by her husband’s German Shepherd and died two days later. German Shepherds are commonly used as police dogs today.

2. Rottweiler

Between the years of 1993 and 1996, Rottweilers were responsible for half of all deaths caused by dog bites in the United States according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The breed’s astounding strength makes it all the more dangerous: Rottweilers have been responsible for two deaths in the United States so far this year. A Rottweiler has an extremely powerful bite: 1,180–1,460 newtons.

1. Pit Bull

Pit bulls are by far the most dangerous and aggressive breed of dog there is. Pit bulls were responsible for 22 deaths so far in the United States this year. They require extensive and proper training to prevent aggressive outbursts. Many countries around the world have even banned this extremely aggressive breed of dog.

A study released in 1991 found that 94% of the attacks on children by pit bulls were unprovoked. This percentage is significantly higher than that of other breeds, which average 43%. A five-year review of dog attack victims, between 2001 and 2005, conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia determined that pit bulls were implicated in more than half of the bites wherein the attacking breed was identified. Of the 269 incidents where breed was noted, 137 of those were attacks by Pit Bulls.