What makes one dog breed get a reputation for being more dangerous than others? Should you be more cautious around specific breeds? And does a dog’s breed even matter, or is it always a case of bad training?
Let’s explore some of the world’s most dangerous dogs together. You’ll also learn about what makes us think of certain dog breeds as dangerous. Additionally, we’ll cover the role and history of dog training in building these reputations.
There are a number of reasons people tend to think of certain dog breeds as more dangerous than others. Not all reasons are valid in the same way: Some are hard statistics, others are personal experiences. But they all can play an important role in our understanding of these animals and our discussion about what might make some more dangerous than others.
Here are some of the reasons we tend to consider certain dogs to be the most dangerous dog breeds:
Let’s focus more on that last reason, as I believe it can have the most impact.
Whether it’s right or wrong for us to judge a dog breed based on our limited experiences and the stories we hear about them, it’s something most of us do on some level (myself included). So I’d like to share some personal stories and how they’ve affected me (or not affected me, though you might think it should have).
We saw this in your comments on the original list. For example, we had people saying Pit Bulls aren’t dangerous because their own experiences with the breed have been pleasant. Others shared experiences on the other side of the spectrum.
Personally, I come in somewhere in the middle. I’m not naive enough to think that breed alone makes all pit bulls dangerous or more vicious than other dogs. But I’m also not naive enough to ignore the evidence that this breed has a history of causing more frequent and more serious injuries than most, if not all, others.
Clearly the breed plays some role. Some breeds lean toward different temperaments, or have different loyalties. These might make them great with their own families but naturally suspicious of strangers or other animals or even small children, who have less self-restraint than adults.
Personal experience is also a factor, though. My brother has a small dog. He took the dog outside at his apartment building into the parking lot. Another neighbor was outside with their Pit Bull. It wasn’t on a leash (while this is a requirement, going unleashed isn’t terribly uncommon around here). By all measures the dog would have seemed like a normal, calm family pet.
Until it saw my brother’s dog.
It immediately charged at them and grabbed his dog by the throat. There was no provocation, no unusual noise, and they were across the lot — not close to the pit bull’s owner in any way. My brother was able to rescue his dog by lifting the Pit Bull and literally prying its mouth open (which, by the way, is a stupid thing to do — please don’t ever follow that example). The dog let go and his dog was okay after being treated for its injuries. The Pit Bull then latched onto my brother’s arm though. Again, he was okay after being treated, but the wound wasn’t insignificant. It could have been far worse.
That puts me in that middle ground territory I mentioned before. Personal experience with this breed is terrible. There was no warning sign that the owner trained this dog to attack or fight. In fact, the aggression caught its owner completely off-guard. It just snapped at the sight of a smaller dog. That kind of sudden reaction is far from unheard of with this breed.
But that said, I don’t fault an entire breed (in the case of Pit Bulls, actually three different breeds) for the actions of that single dog. The lack of predictability of some breeds would make them “more dangerous” in my view. But the same goes for poor training and bad behavior by an owner (like allowing any breed with known issues with children or other animals to run free without a leash).
This is far from the only example I could give. Saint Bernards are also sometimes cited as some of the most dangerous dogs. But they’re also known for being calm-tempered and being good with kids. It’s their fierce loyalty that can be an issue.
A family member had one years ago. That dog was a great dog for most of its life. It even helped to stop a burglar in the family’s building. But years later it lunged at another family member who the dog knew for its entire life. They came to visit, and out of the blue the dog lunged and went for her eye. She’s still terrified of the breed to this day (and understandably so after an experience like that).
We can’t explain the unprovoked attack. It might have been a breeding issue. The dog might have been having a bad day in some way. We just don’t know. I understand her fear of the breed. But it’s not one I hold myself as a result — perhaps because I didn’t see it first-hand.
I personally own a mixed breed dog — Border Collie mixed with a Lab. At this stage in her life, I would also consider her to be a dangerous dog, especially around children. She is in no way violent. She’s great with cats and other dogs.
She’s still at that point where she’s young, wants to play all the time, and she doesn’t realize her own size or strength. The hyper aspect is specific to breeds. Both Labs and Border Collies can be very high strung, especially in their first couple of years.
Neighbors and family members don’t want her playing with their tiny dogs, and I think that’s understandable. And I wouldn’t take her out to play with small children for fear that she’d accidentally hurt them by jumping up or knocking them over as she tries to play. Being dangerous isn’t always a case of being naturally vicious, and that’s why so much falls onto the owner. It’s our responsibility to make sure our dogs aren’t put into situations where they’re more likely to cause harm.
If you’ve had experiences that have shaped your own views of what makes for a dangerous dog breed, let us know in the comments. Tell us what happened and whether or not you think it’s a fair way to judge a larger group of dogs based on the action (or actions) you’ve seen first-hand, and why.
Now let’s get to our original list of some of the seemingly most dangerous dogs, based on breeds. Now that you know why certain breeds have earned their “most dangerous dogs” reputations, can you think of others that might also have a similar history? Tell us in the comments.
Every person that I know deeply cares about his or her pets. They are their best friends. They tenderly love each other. Sometimes they eat together, sleep together, and go for walks together.
I’m more of a cat person, but I can’t sit still when I see little puppies or big dogs with big soft fur. I want to hug them, play with them, and give them some of my love and tenderness too. I’ve also seen many adult dogs of different breeds worth praise and true admiration. They are clever, sociable, and funny when you want to play; calm and patient with kids.
And they’re something I can’t credit cats with: They are faithful.
Personally, I don’t know any dog that would bite without warning or just snap. It’s my firm belief that behavior of the dog doesn’t depend on its breed so much as it being the right training and the “master” that matter. In my opinion, humans are most often responsible for dangerous dogs. That said, there might be some truth in the idea that some breeds have more unstable temperaments than others. Knowing this, we should never provoke them.
Think for a minute and analyze your own life. Are we always polite? I can think of several situations when I would have gladly slapped a man in the face, but thank God I’m weak enough and I can control myself (at least I think that I can). Now think about animals. They have instincts too, and they may forget about good manners. It’s not as if they understand them in the same ways we do.
It’s also important for dog owners to protect both other people and their dogs from unexpected circumstances and thus the unpleasant situations. For example, when going outside, they could always use a dog-lead and a muzzle. They could be careful and not let the dog play on its own without a leash, especially when there are other people around. When you have a dog, you become forever responsible for the animal you’ve trained and tamed.
In any case, it’s good to know what breeds of dogs might be most dangerous, just to keep yourself safe. Sometimes the danger in a dog isn’t even a nasty personality, but a matter of them not knowing their own strength.
Even though I personally still find it hard to believe that breed alone determines whether a dog is “dangerous,” you never know what a dog’s owner has taught it. Reliable research into the most dangerous dogs included below comes from the American Veterinary Medical Association, the CDC, and the Humane Society of the United States.
We’ll start with least dangerous of the bunch. Sorry, but there won’t be any terrifying photos today.
Read Also: Ready for a Dog? What Breed?
Origin: Croatia, Middle Ages
Weight: 40-70 lbs
Height: 20-24 inches
Dalmatians are active and energetic dogs, and love to be outdoors. They are very playful and love running.
There’s still no definite info about what this breed was originally bred for. What is known is that it is the oldest spotted breed in Europe, Asia and Africa. They were serving as warriors, hunters, and shepherds long before finally becoming the symbol of the US fireman.
Origin: Germany, 1850s
Weight: 50-64 lbs
Height: 20-25 inches
The boxer is a very strong “square” dog. Boxers love to walk, but the owner should never forget the leash. It’s also better to refrain from aggressive games. Still, boxers recognize all members of the family and can play well with the children.
The boxer breed has its origins in feudal Germany and dates back to the line of bulldogs that existed in Europe in the 16th century. These ancestors lived for hunting wild boars and other big wild animals. The first puppy in the new breed received the name “Box”. Boxer’s qualities, such as their strength, were highly valued by farmers and shopkeepers.
Origin: Canary Islands, Africa, 18th century
Weight: 100-125 lbs
Height: 25-26 inches
The Presa Canario hails from the Canary Islands. Dogs of this breed had two jobs: Hunting – and war. During the 18th century, English traders and merchants came to the Canary Islands, bringing with them their working and gladiator dogs, notably the Mastiff of England and the bulldog. Englishmen also brought with them their traditions of pit fighting for which their breeds and the island dogs were inevitably mixed and eventually bred to produce the ultimate fighter. Nowadays the breed finds use in guarding, handling, and driving cattle.
The dogs of this breed can be gentle and noble with their families, showing great affection to their owners, but are highly suspicious of strangers.
Origin: Switzerland, Middle Ages
Weight: 110-180 lbs
Height: 24-29 inches
Saint Bernards are amazingly big and easygoing dogs, but due to their impressive size they can look a bit awkward. They are quiet and peaceful, love children, and are not inclined to active and rapid games. A Saint Bernard will need all of your attention, so if you spend days in the office, this dog is not for you. They are tremendously strong and, of course, they require a good bit of space.
Most likely, the ancestor of the Saint Bernard was the Alpine Mastiff, a pretty aggressive breed. The original Saint Bernards were working dogs and scouts. They were also much calmer than their Mastiff ancestors. For that reason, they make for excellent home companions today.
Origin: Germany, Middle Ages to 19th century
Weight: 90-120 lbs
Height: 27-32 inches
Great Danes are beautiful and majestic animals, with a gentle and loving nature. They love to play with children and participate in all family events and activities, especially in the outdoors. They are happy to go for a walk and don’t mind the company of other dogs. Despite their gigantic size, Great Danes can even feel quite at home in a city.
In the Middle Ages, these dogs earned their living in dog fighting and by hunting big mammals.
Origin: China, Antiquity
Weight: 40-65 lbs
Height: 18-22 inches
The chow chow is an independent dog often focused only on its own needs. Chow chows need constant physical activity and communication, even if they don’t seem to like being disturbed much.
The chow chow’s original purposes were hunting and helping shepherds.
Origin: Germany, 19th century
Weight: 65-90 lbs
Height: 26-28 inches
Doberman Pinschers (often just called Dobermans) are dogs whose traits emphasize protecting and defending instincts. It is important to avoid any type of aggressive play and struggle with these dogs. Instead, use the games to develop the Doberman’s intelligence. Even though they aren’t small dogs, Dobermans can adapt to life in a city and become a perfect companion for an experienced, physically active owner.
This breed has its roots in in Germany. The breeder Louis Doberman decided to combine the qualities of guard dogs and and the terrier. Luis was a policeman, and so saw the need for a dog that would devotedly defend its owner.
Origin: North America, Ancient times
Weight: 80-110 lbs
Height: 23-28 inches
The Malamute is a friendly dog, but it has rather an independent temper. It’s better to keep this dog in a village, far from the city. Sometimes violent and energetic, they constantly need to move or play.
Note that Malamutes are a working dog breed from a colder climate. So, if you don’t live in the deep north, make your Malamute a nice playground. That’s because they are always in need of physical activity.
The name of the breed comes from a local North American tribe. They used the Malamute to transport goods on a sleigh.
Origin: Siberia, Ancient times
Weight: 35-55 lbs
Height: 20-24 inches
Training a Husky is not that easy. For these reasons, breeder don’t recommend this dog for beginning owners. Initially, these dogs transported goods on a sleigh. Not afraid of cold weather, they’re very active and loving dogs. Huskies love to get together with other members of their breed and howl at the moon.
Origin: Germany, 19th century
Weight: 70-85 lbs
Height: 22-26 inches
German Shepherds are very beautiful dogs, distinguished from other breeds by their reliable and obedient temper. They are in need of constant and serious physical activity though, and they seem to prefer long walks and active games.
Originally (as obvious from the name), the dogs guarded grazing sheep. They are great home guards and often participate in programs for the disabled.
Origin: Germany, 1820s
Weight: 85-110 lbs
Height: 23-27 inches
Rottweilers are powerful dogs with strong jaws, primarily meant to protect. Their original breeders selected those traits especially for that purpose. They often don’t like strangers and other dogs — they are guards at heart, and the dog owner should always remember that.
Origin: US, 19th century
Weight: 30-55 lbs
Height: 18-22 inches
The Pit Bull is named after its original purpose: The questionable amusement of dog fighting in pits. Sad as it is, that bloody tradition has survived in places, and Pit Bulls still have to take their part in it.
Photos source: Flickr
Origin: Southern U.S., 17th century
Weight: 60-120 lbs
Height: 20-28 inches
The American Bulldog is descended from the now-extinct Old English Bulldog, which was bred for farm guarding, livestock herding and bringing down game, and blood sports such as bull-baiting.
Today’s American Bulldog arose from any such dogs brought to America by working-class immigrants, many of them former farmers. In the South, these dogs were an important line of defense against feral hogs.
By the time of World War II, the American Bulldog almost went extinct, but was saved through selective breeding.
These dogs are large, heavy, and have powerful jaws with a typical overbite. They were bred for aggression and protection instincts. While they are suspicious of strangers, they are also very loyal and family-friendly. However, they need lots of space and attention.
Origin: England, 19th century
Weight: 100-130 lbs
Height: 24-27 inches
Bred around 1860 by English gamekeepers, the Bullmastiff’s job was to guard game preserves. They caught poachers, holding them until they could be arrested. They emerged from a cross of the large but non-aggressive Mastiff with the aggressive but smaller, lighter Bulldog.
Starting in the 20th century, they became a distinctive breed.
Today, Bullmastiffs are typical watch and guard dogs. They are fiercely loyal and love their families, but they have an extremely strong territorial instinct, and can be stand-offish towards strangers. When they’re properly trained, Bullmastiffs are also frequently used as gentle therapy dogs.
They are easy to groom, doesn’t shed, but are very prone to drooling. Bullmastiffs generally don’t need too much attention or movement.
Note that this dog was bred to be very quiet, so it won’t audibly warn when it’s startled or otherwise in a bad temper. In combination with their strengths, this makes Bullmastiffs one of the potentially most dangerous dogs.
Note: This post was originally published on April 1, 2009. It has since been updated with a new introduction and further background on the history of dangerous dogs.
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Want to say something..ANY dog can be dangerous. I mean common...Golden Retrievers are said to be one of the best family dogs and well...i was attacked by on when i was younger...no i wasn't being mean to the dog she was being nice and out of no where she started flipping out and attacked me i didn't lay a hand on her. I never blamed her she just wasn't trained right and her owners didn't keep her under control. I love ALL dogs no matter the breed or size. I believe there should be no such thing as a "Dangerous dog list" its wrong. Funny thing is people are always concentrating on pit bull attacks and saying how awful these different breeds are when it really the PEOPLE they should be upset with...Its never the dogs fault if it has dumb owners or bad breeding. Just saying.
i have germen sheperd
First things first...Pitbulls..were NOT bred for fighting...there orginally from England, and were bred for hunting wild game and hogs, and also used to protect farmers from bulls......until MAN decided it would be fun to use them for sport and make them fight bulls then each other so don't go putting up things unless you know the correct facts....they aren't born a vicious dog..man makes them that way.....get it together...cause none want to hear that there dogs are ferocious....and I am really tired of hearing that Pitbulls are a vicious, mean dog,.or ferocious....cause there not.
pitt bulls are a failed breed for what they were bred for. they make excellent protection animals rather than fighting. there is a video out on the internet where two dogs are going to fight eachother but when released, they meet eachother and do nothing but examine eachother. a person had to provoke the one dog to bite him, in which the other attacked to protect its master which started the fight. and also, pit bulls cannot 'lock-jaw' or whatever the name of it is. they have a very strong hold which many people confuse with lock jaw. and another note, when are they going to notice the small dogs and other dogs for turning on their owners? labadors had the record for turning on their owners and biting the hell out of them a couple years ago. basically, what im saying is that the list above needs to be updated big time.
and if you notice, they only mention the dangerous dogs as those large enough to kill a human. if its going to be listed as dangerous, it should include attacks and bites, because even these can lead to a persons death
First off fighting dog didn’t show any human aggression toward humans or they would be killed. For the simple reason that when dog fighting was a prominent sport the owners were in the ring and they would actually have round in the fight. The owner didn’t want to get bit when separating the two and the fight were not to the death. They were until there was a definite winner. If your dog lost you didn’t kill it either. You would rehab it and either train it or retire it. Also when the dogs were not fighting it was integral part of the family. It health and well-being was held above all others in the house hold. If there was only enough food for one person to eat it was the dog because he was a source of income for the family. Also Pit Bull is not a specific breed. The term “Pit” in Pit Bull refers to were the dog fights and “Bull” refers to the dog being a Bullie or Bulldog breed. If a French Bulldog were to fight it would then be considered a “Pit Bull”. However there is a breed called an American Pit Bull Terrier. This may seem nit-picky but not being specific and stricked on the standard has dug us in the deep hole we are in with the Fighting Breeds. If breed properly they are the most obedient and loyal family dogs on earth. With the sole purpose in life but please its family.
So now that the history of Dog Fighting has been discussed we’ll move onto the author’s lack of knowledge on the breeds. She should have done a little more research on before writing this bias garbage. Strong dog breeds in this article do bite. It’s unrealistic to say that there is a specific breed that never bites, but what I will say is there are breeds less likely to. According to the Center for Disease Control the German Shepard, Chihuahua, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Collie, Chow Chow, Akita, Poodle, Scottish Terrier, and Shetland Sheepdog are the most likely to bite. Physically they don’t exert the same amount of bite force as the dogs with the larger jaw muscles.
Now onto the specific breed in this article. Some of the information is relatively accurate but when writing an article like this you lose credibility when basic facts are off from breed history to height and weight. It just proves to all of the readers that the author knows nothing about the topic at hand and she obviously thinks her audience is nieve enough to believe any piece of crap she writes.
Dalmatians are 19 to 23 inches and ranges from 50 to 55 pounds. The specific dimensions give this dog it’s symmetrical in outline free of coarseness and exaggeration. They originated in Dalmatia, on the Adriatic coast and now part of modern day Croatia. The dog we know today as the Dalmatian has been a dog of war, a draft dog, shepherd, ratter, fire-apparatus follower, firehouse mascot, bird dog, trail hound and retriever. Most importantly, he is the original and only coaching dog. His affinity for horses remains a basic instinct to this day and the breed is a natural follower and guardian of the horse-drawn vehicle.
Boxer is a well-conditioned middleweight athlete of dogdom; the Boxer is a powerful dog with an intelligent and alert expression. Their size varies from 21-25 inches and they weight 53 to 70 pounds. While they are instinctive guardians, the Boxer loves to be with his people. This personality has allowed them to succeed as couriers during war time and as seeing-eye dogs for the blind. Appearing in both fawn and brindle colors, the Boxer currently ranks as one of the most popular dogs in the United States according to AKC Registration Statistics. One of the breed’s most notable characteristics is its desire for human affection, especially from children. They are patient and spirited with children, but also protective, making them a popular choice for families. The Boxer requires little grooming, but needs daily exercise.
Presa Canario’s date back to the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Following the conquest of the Canary Islands it is theorized dogs of great size may have existed or were brought there by the Spanish Conquistadors or possibly both. What is known was the function for which these dogs were developed; guarding farms, struggling with cattle and the extermination of wild or stray dogs. The essential characteristics of the Presa are those which enable it to drive and hold cattle, and to guard its home and family. These tasks require a powerful, agile, courageous dog with a large head and powerful jaws. They weight 85 to 100 pounds and are 22 to 26 inches. The Presa is extremely affectionate, docile and well behaved with its owner and family, but is wary of strangers and aggressive with other dogs.
Saint Bernards originally used to locate freezing and helpless travelers during snow storms; the Saint Bernard now uses his intelligence and strength in conformation and obedience competitions, cart pulling and weight pulling. Although powerful and muscular in build, Saints possess a gentle and dignified temperament. It is generally believed that the dogs eventually called Saint Bernards were bred from dogs previously existing in the Swiss countryside. The original Saint Bernard was a short-haired dog and was introduced to the Hospice (a refuge for travelers crossing the treacherous passes between Switzerland and Italy) as a guard dog, a carting dog and an avalanche dog that rescued travelers trapped in the snow. These gentle giants are 25½ to 27½ inches tall at the shoulder and 130 to 180 pounds.
Great Dane are nothing short of majestic, 28 to 32 inches tall ideally and ranging in weight from 100 to 200 pounds. Sometimes referred to as the "king of dogs," this extremely large dog breed is known for being strong yet elegant, with a friendly, energetic personality. Striking in the show ring, this breed is also popular as a family pet. Coat colors can be brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin and mantle. Historians claim that there are drawings of dogs that resemble the Great Dane on Egyptian monuments from roughly 3000 B.C. The earliest written description of a dog resembling the breed can be found in Chinese literature of 1121 B.C. The origins of the Great Dane as we know it today can be traced to the Irish Wolfhound with mixture of old English Mastiff. The breed was originally developed by the Germans to hunt boar, a ferocious animal. When no longer used for hunting, the breed changed to one of a companion and estate guard dog.
Chow Chows The true origin of the Chow is unknown, but the breed as it is known today is easily recognizable in pottery and sculptures of the Chinese Han Dynasty (206 B.C. to 22 A.D.). An all-purpose dog used for hunting, herding, pulling and protection of the home, some scholars claim the Chow was the original ancestor of the Samoyed, Norwegian Elkhound, Pomeranian and Keeshond. A powerful, sturdy dog of Arctic type, medium in size and muscular with heavy bone weighting 45 to 70 pounds with a height of 17 to 20 inches. The Chow Chow is an ancient breed of northern Chinese origin. While the breed was originally a working dog, he primarily serves as a companion today and is seen in show rings across the country.
Doberman Pinscher’s originated in Germany around 1900, taking its name from tax collector Louis Dobermann of Apolda, who desired a medium size dog to perform as a guard dog as well as companion. Breeds utilized to develop the Doberman Pinscher may have included the old shorthaired shepherd, Rottweiler, Black and Tan Terrier and the German Pinscher. A square, medium-sized dog weighting 66 to 88 pounds and is 24 to 28 inches in height. The Doberman Pinscher is muscular and possesses great endurance and speed. He is elegant in appearance and reflects great nobility and temperament. The properly bred and trained Doberman has proved itself to be a friend and guardian, and his intelligence and ability to absorb and retain training have brought him into demand as a police and war dog…….
I can’t believe I wasted 40 minutes of my life entertaining this nonsense. It’s clear that half of you guys are retarded arguing about what dog could beat another in a fight. You guys are part of the problem. I stated earlier that the author said she obviously things the readers are idiots and you proved her right.
Pit bulls should be completely outlawed. There is no reason for anyone to have one of these. The only reason most people even own one is just to try to look big in other peoples eyes. They are dangerous, and the only ones who will argue this point are owners. If you own one, liability insurance should be mandatory along with registration. Not a month goes by here without someone getting attacked or even killed by these beasts. They were not bred to be pets, and they will always have an attack waiting inside them.
All I can say to you is, OWN A PITBULL before You Judge it!!!! Go to a Pitbull show and see how devoted they are to PLEASE their owner!! People like you just see the Bad side of them but they are the sweetest dogs, so stop talking bad about them and want to 'Outlaw' them just treat them as normal dogs and you'll see the sweetest dogs on earth!! I'll say again 'Own a Pitbull before you Judge them'
There is no such thing as a dangerous dog, thay only have bad owners that don't take care of them the right way. So if you say "bad dog!!" you should say "im a bad owner" this list is nothing but crap, and i have a pit bull, and i learnd how to take care of him the right way and he is a very well behaved dog and he is good with children, and he is very smart. "own one before you judge one"
I owned one mate it lived on my farm it killed my sheep they are a bad dangerous breed i had to put a bullet in it the are a bad natured dog and should be outlawed i bet you walk around with ur pittbull letting it go crazy off it leash like a took trying to act big
Yup I agree, my oldest son is around a 100%pure bred pitbull at karate and that dog runs around with all the kids and has never attacked, bit , or shown aggression to anyone. I personally would never own one just because I wouldn't be able to train it but I have no fear of the breed. I also own a dalmatian mix and she is one of the biggest wimps I have ever seen. People who own dogs should be aware of the good and the bad that comes with having a dog. I do believe some breeds are more prone to aggression but with the right training the dog should be fine. There should be harsher penalties for people who abuse animals no matter what kind it is.
Liz, You would be surprised how easy they are to train... My mother (who is 59, with a knee replacement) kept my pitbull for several weeks when I was taking finals in college.. He was in his "teenage" wild years as well! When I returned, he was listening to her every word. Trust me this isn't a hard dog to train by any means!
People rarely consider genetics. All common breeds were made by man to perform a specific duty or conform to a specific look. This was done over time, certain traits that were advantageous were kept by allowing those dogs to mate and have offspring, while others were culled.
Herding dogs were breed to herd.
Guard dogs were breed to guard.
Tracking dogs were breed to track.
Sled dogs were breed to pull.
Terriers were breed to hunt small mammals and rodents that would dig holes in the ground.
Retrievers were breed to retrieve game.
Fighting dogs were breed to fight.
Notice each dog has been genetically engineered of time through selective breeding to excel at its specific type. Border collies are excellent herders, Dobermans/Rottweilers are excellent guard dogs, Blood Hounds are excellent tracking dogs, Huskies are excellent pulling dogs... etc. There is a pattern here.
Pit Bulls were bred to fight bulls, and then when that was outlawed, to fight other dogs. The traits that made the dog excel at this were kept and other traits culled. However, you can NEVER get rid of a trait 100%. An example; One time Rottweilers had white in their coat, but this was unwanted and now we only have black and tan. However, every so often you will get a puppy with white spots in its fur, or a few white tufts here and there.
So aggression was definitely breed into fighting dogs, as well as gameness (the willingness to continue to the death) and other useful traits when it comes to fighting. You can certainly TRY to get rid of the aggression in a Pit Bull or ANY FIGHTING BREED through selective breeding, but it will never be 100% removed and you will ALWAYS have a dog that can potentially "snap" (meaning go into fight mode) and attack another dog or person. Over time and many generations, this trait can become RARE, but it will ALWAYS have a chance to be there.
Having said that, it's unlikely many (if any) breeders will truly try to breed this out. That's like buying a Ferrari with a Honda engine. Most of the people attracted to fighting dogs, are attracted to the traits that make the dog a good fighting dog in the first place. The responsible owners, are a minority for sure.
If you take a glass of clean water and drop in a single drop of blue dye, you may see the colour in the water. If you then pour half the glass into a new cup and fill the rest with clean water, you then can't see the colour any longer. You repeat this 100 times and the glass of water looks the same as a glass of clean water, but there are still dye particles in the water.
Unfortunately this is not the dogs fault, but was done by humans many years ago, and this is probably why we hear of peoples pit bulls attacking others and then the owners claiming the dog never showed signs of aggression before.
How dogs behave has much to do with ownership and proper training, but genetics can't be ignored or controlled.
So while I do feel "certain" people could effectively own these types of dogs, they are not for the average person, and there definitely needs to be liability on the owner and stiff penalties when certain safety measures are not in place. This goes for ANY FIGHTING DOG breed, not just pit bulls.
In closing I am not biased against the Pit Bull, but rather pro strong regulation for ALL fighting dog breeds. We live in a society that is made up of people with their children and pets (dogs, cats..etc). I can't logically see a good result with fighting dogs thrown in the mix without strict regulation.
The American Pit Bull was bred to hunt AND herd. You're truly lumping in all dogs that are considered to be pit bull, with the ACTUAL breed. The Staffordshire Terrier was bred to pit fight. The American Bully (Blue Pit) was bred to have little aggression.
They also are now bred, because of their loyalty and intelligence, as service animals. Your assertion is entirely incorrect. Hunting dogs were also bred as hunting dogs for their ability to learn and listen to commands. This, in no way, goes toward human aggression. I have a Staffordshire Terrier. She has a whole lot of bark, but zero bite. Most bully breeds are the same. The dogs are also fiercely loyal. They will attack anything if they feel that they, their handler, or their territory are threatened. Read up before making accusations:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_bull
There is no such thing as a bad dog, only bad owners!
Any dog can be made into an aggressive dog. There are too many people who have dogs, that don't understand dogs and dog behavior. If a dog is trained, and socialized correctly, they will do what you want them to do. A well trained and loved dog just want to please you. To train any dog correctly, they must know that YOU are the alpha of the pack. Dogs are pack animals, they follow the alpha, if you do not train the dog to know that YOU are the alpha, then they will try to assume that role of the pack. This is when you create a dangerous dog, regardless of the breed.
In the 70's they blamed the doberman, in the 80's they blamed the German Shepard, in the 90's they blamed the rottweiler, now they blame pit bulls. When are the humans that train them going to be blamed?
This is all hogwash.
my best dog is staffordshire bull terrier most caring dog ever and always great with children unless owner obv