No dog is born aggressive
So much for the introduction: No dog comes into the world aggressive. There are breeds of dogs that are genetically predisposed to have a higher protective instinct and a lower threshold for stimuli. However, no dog bites without reason. Often, the causes of aggressive behavior in dogs are the environment and the owners. Therefore, there is definitely no purely aggressive dog breed, but we will introduce you to some four-legged friends that may be more prone to aggression under certain circumstances.
These 13 dog breeds are considered particularly aggressive
Which dogs are aggressive? If you are looking for information about dangerous or aggressive dog breeds, you will certainly come across the term "list dogs." As the name suggests, there is a list of dogs that are said to have a particularly high potential for aggression, such as →Pitbulls. The cause is often genetic. These breeds may have originally been bred as fighting dogs or for hunting bears.
Each federal state in Germany decides for itself which dogs are considered "list dogs." However, the federal states of Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Thuringia no longer maintain breed lists.
The aggressive dog breeds are divided into two categories:
1. Animals that are "most likely dangerous."
2. Animals that are "probably dangerous."
The following dog breeds are most commonly classified as aggressive:
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Pitbull Terrier
- Bull Terrier
- Bullmastiff
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Cane Corso
- Dogo Argentino
- Bordeaux Dog
- Fila Brasileiro
- Mastin Espanol
- Mastino Napoletano
- Mastiff
- Tosa Inu
Strong dogs need something substantial to bite. With our →3-2-1 BARF concept, you provide your four-legged friend with a fresh, balanced diet that has bite!
Crossbreeds among the breeds, i.e., mixed breeds, also count as list dogs. But just as a list dog does not necessarily have to be more dangerous, another dog breed can also exhibit aggressive behavior.
Can I keep an aggressive dog breed?
If you are interested in keeping a fighting dog, you should definitely inform yourself about the regulations in your federal state before acquiring one. Under certain conditions, it may be allowed to keep list dogs. There are no uniform regulations in this regard, but some commonalities can be recognized according to the →fine catalog in the federal states:
- Owners must be of legal age.
- A certificate of good conduct from the owners must be available, demonstrating their sense of responsibility and trustworthiness.
- The dogs may need to pass a competency test.
- The dogs may need to pass a temperament or behavior test.
Aggressive behavior is part of dog language
Just like with us humans and other living beings, aggression is genetically ingrained in every dog. There are no exceptions even with the sweet Goldie or Labrador. They are part of normal behavior and communication among dogs. Nevertheless, there are differences in the level of arousal. Aggressive behavior is classified into so-called escalation levels, which are categorized based on the colors and areas of a traffic light:
- Green area - everything is fine: Behaviors such as yawning, shaking, turning the head away, or licking the snout are in the green area.
- Yellow area - be cautious: Behaviors such as barking, raised hackles, or biting the leash are still in the yellow area.
- Red area - pull the emergency brake: Behaviors such as snapping in the air, inhibited biting up to unrestrained biting are in the red area.
How can I reduce my dog's aggressiveness?
Is your dog aggressive towards other dogs? If your four-legged friend tends to bark, then it is high time to engage with the →body language of your animal. Understanding body language helps you to understand your dog and respond appropriately. Additionally, you should find a suitable dog trainer. There are also trainers who specialize in aggressive dog breeds or behavior. It is very important that you take action and do not hope that everything will turn out well. Especially with aggressive dogs, it is essential to protect your dog, the environment, other animals and owners, as well as yourself**.
