STACKER — Scientists have been trying to figure out when and how dogs became man’s best friend for years now, and recent studies suggest that wolves actually did it themselves. Becoming friendly with early humans who gave wolves access to their food made it easier for them to survive. This began the centuries-long friendship that humans share with their pets today. But the relationship isn’t without conflict; more than 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year, and a little more than 800,000 of those bites are treated by medical professionals.
Any dog can bite, but some—especially larger, more powerful dogs—can inflict greater consequences when they do. Stacker looked at data collected by ANIMALS 24-7, which logs serious attacks by dog breed from September 1982 to December 31, 2018, to see what trends emerged in the most serious attacks. Only pure dog breeds with 10 or more attacks doing bodily harm were ranked, and any ties were broken by the number of deaths.
Dogs are routinely misidentified by sight, which can make finding exact numbers of attacks by breed difficult. These numbers are often used to label certain breeds as dangerous or vicious. Some cities and states have passed laws banning ownership of specific breeds because of these perceptions, though most animal welfare groups oppose such legislation. As our understanding of dogs expands, more people are recognizing that a dog’s upbringing and training—not its breed—holds more influence over how a dog reacts in a moment of stress, fear, or anxiety.
Take a look at the top 10 breeds for most attacks towards people below:
#10. Chow
Attacks doing bodily harm (1982-2018): 67 (1.9 per year)
Deaths (1982-2018): 8
Chows are unique among dog breeds because of their blue-black tongues, almost scowling expression, and an unusual degree of independence. They typically bond closely with only a few human companions and can be territorial and aggressive with everyone else, meaning they’re not recommended for most families.
#9. Labrador
Attacks doing bodily harm (1982-2018): 78 (2.2 per year)
Deaths (1982-2018): 7
Labradors have been America’s favorite purebred dog since the 1990s, helped by their easygoing, family-friendly attitude. They were bred to retrieve ducks while hunting and be a fisherman’s mate, making them levelheaded, eager to please, and less likely to be territorial than other breeds. The ANIMALS 24-7 data on labradors includes one victim who was attacked by as many as 23 dogs owned by the same person, with each dog accounted for individually in the total number of attacks.
#8. Akita
Attacks doing bodily harm (1982-2018): 86 (2.4 per year)
Deaths (1982-2018): 9
Akitas are one of the largest dog breeds, with males weighing in at as much as 130 pounds, and they can sometimes use their bulk to act aggressively toward dogs they don’t know. They are famous for their loyalty to their families, however; one Akita waited for his owner at a train station every day for nine years after his death, inspiring a 2009 movie. Helen Keller brought the first Akita to the United States after she was gifted one as a gesture of respect after a 1937 visit to Japan.
#7. Wolf hybrid
Attacks doing bodily harm (1982-2018): 98 (2.7 per year)
Deaths (1982-2018): 20
It can be difficult to tell how many wolf hybrids attack people in a certain year because of their shared features with huskies and malamutes, as well as the difficulty of determining if a dog has as much wolf ancestry as its owner claims. Actual wolf hybrids behave unpredictably once they reach adulthood, and though some people are successful at raising them, most owners are not equipped to meet their particular needs.
#6. Boxer
Attacks doing bodily harm (1982-2018): 110 (3.1 per year)
Deaths (1982-2018): 10
These popular dogs can trace their ancestors back to the Assyrians in 2500 B.C., where they were often used in war. Boxers themselves were originally bred as bull-baiting dogs or butchers’ helpers. These dogs are powerful, energetic and independent thinkers, perfect companions for families with older children.
#5. Husky
Attacks doing bodily harm (1982-2018): 126 (3.5 per year)
Deaths (1982-2018): 28
Siberian Huskies are perhaps best known for their use as sled dogs, and most huskies are friendly with strange dogs and humans alike, thanks to a history of running with their pack. They have energy to spare, but their destructive tendencies are usually limited to chewing on furniture and digging holes in the backyard.
#4. Bull mastiff (Presa Canario)
Attacks doing bodily harm (1982-2018): 152 (4.2 per year)
Deaths (1982-2018): 20
Bull mastiffs are not the most active dogs, despite their large size, and can live everywhere from small apartments to suburban backyards without too much issue. They’re mild-mannered once they grow up and are intensely loyal to their families as long as they’re trained before they become too large to control.
#3. German shepherd
Attacks doing bodily harm (1982-2018): 191 (5.3 per year)
Deaths (1982-2018): 21
The second most popular purebred dog, German shepherds went from working herders to popular family friends after making their Hollywood debut via Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart. Today, they’re popular police and military dogs, and their bounds of energy can cause some high-strung or aggressive behaviors if they don’t have something to do every day.
#2. Rottweiler
Attacks doing bodily harm (1982-2018): 615 (17.1 per year)
Deaths (1982-2018): 103
Rottweilers are part of the American Kennel Club’s working group, and these intelligent, confident dogs have served as some of the first service dogs for the blind, police dogs, and search-and-rescue workers. Their territorial nature means they are well-suited as watchdogs, but they can also make for great family pets as long as they’re supervised around small children, who could be knocked over or bumped by this massive dog.
#1. Pit bull
Attacks doing bodily harm (1982-2018): 5,994 (166.5 per year)
Deaths (1982-2018): 421
Pit bulls have a fearsome reputation, but they’re not natural fighters like some people think. “Pit bull” refers to a variety of breeds, which inevitably means these dogs are regularly misidentified by shelters and news outlets. Statistics around their dangerousness are therefore almost impossible to compare with those for more universally defined breeds. Some pit bulls may be aggressive due to genetics and training, but these dogs are generally intelligent, gentle, and extremely loving dogs when owned by those who know how to handle their rambunctious nature.
