What Is Aggression in Dogs?
To the detriment of many dog breeds and their owners, determining whether an entire breed is aggressive or not is largely subjective. There’s also a big difference between aggression and behavioral traits like reactivity and prey drive, both of which can be mistaken for the former.
In the simplest terms possible, aggression is a display of dangerous behavior, generally toward another dog or a person. While most people equate aggression with biting, it involves a full spectrum of behaviors. Other examples of aggression can include barking, growling, and lunging.
Meanwhile, reactivity refers to dogs that become overstimulated in certain situations and can present as lunging, growling, and barking. Some dogs become reactive around men, other dogs, or even just while on a leash. Although special care and training are required to manage reactive behavior, these dogs generally aren’t dangerous.
Prey drive can also be confused with aggression. While aggression is normally triggered by fear, a dog’s prey drive is simply an extension of its natural hunting instincts. Prey drive can lead to dangerous behavior toward small animals, including cats and other dogs, but doesn’t make a dog inherently unsafe.
The 10 of the Most Aggressive Dog Breeds According to Real Research
For our list of the most aggressive dog breeds, we turned to research from the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS). The ATTS conducts testing to see how different dog breeds perform in a variety of scenarios, including interacting with strangers, noise stimuli, visual stimuli, and more.
While it’s impossible to definitely label any dog breed as aggressive or not, the results of the ATTS testing give us a pretty good idea of which breeds are more likely to display aggressive tendencies.
They might be tiny, but the Chihuahua routinely scores quite low on temperament tests. However, few can agree on whether the Chihuahua is prone to aggression because of its genetic makeup or because many Chihuahuas receive inadequate training and socializing.
Their small size means that even the most aggressive Chihuahua won’t do much damage. Still, if you have a Chihuahua, then it’s your responsibility to ensure they get proper training, socialization, and aren’t allowed to roam free in environments where aggression could be triggered.
Another aggressive dog breed, at least according to temperament studies, is the adorable Dachshund. This breed, more often known as a “wiener dog,” presents the same issues as the Chihuahua. While they’re small and won’t pack much of a bite, they’re often aggressive toward strangers.
While it’s tempting to treat your Dachshund like a spoiled lap dog, routine training and socialization are crucial. Don’t underestimate the effectiveness of professional training if your Dachshund shows signs of aggression.
While the Chow Chow looks like a big, fluffy teddy bear, the breed is well-known for its aggressive tendencies. However, this behavior presents in very predictable ways.
The Chow Chow tends to show aggression toward strangers and other dogs if not socialized from a young age. At the same time, the breed also has a high prey drive which is often mistaken for even more aggression. With the right training protocol, though, it’s entirely possible to raise a calm and well-adjusted Chow Chow.
A well-trained Doberman Pinscher can make an excellent companion, but they are still one of the more aggressive breeds out there. Plus, even the calmest Doberman can strike fear with its intimidating size, speed, and strength.
Most Doberman Pinschers that display aggression actually do so out of fear. Because of this, it’s important to manage your dog’s anxiety and teach them to be confident around strangers and in new environments.
According to ATTS testing, the wholesome Dalmatian is actually at risk for aggressive behavior. Many experts believe this is because of the breed’s history as a guard dog, which required them to treat all strangers as threats.
While the breed’s popularity has dropped since the release of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, they’re still one of the most recognizable dogs in the world. However, you shouldn’t bring home a Dalmatian just because you’re a fan of the iconic spots. Remember that these dogs require thorough training and socialization to live happy, safe lives.
After the pit bull breeds, the Rottweiler probably has the worst reputation in popular culture. While it’s true that Rottweilers rank high on the list of aggressive breeds, most are well-adjusted, loving companion animals.
Since Rottweilers tend to struggle with being territorial, other dogs are their most common trigger. Also, since they have a higher prey drive, the breed isn’t the best option for households with cats or small dogs. With lots of socialization from puppyhood and the right environment, though, Rottweilers make great pets.
Rottweiler
Rottweilers are an extremely sturdy and loyal breed but they’re also notorious for being headstrong and fierce. Most aggressive dog breeds, study show that Rottweilers are often involved in cases where dogs have caused human fatalities in the US. They can behave aggressively around other pets and people because of their territorial instincts. Rottweilers are, however, intelligent and highly trainable. Dog obedience training and socialization are extremely crucial in the early years if you want one as a pet.
