Top Large and Potentially Dangerous Dog Breeds
It is important to understand that no dog breed is inherently “safe” or “dangerous.” Every dog has the potential to bite or attack under the right circumstances. Factors such as individual temperament, training, socialization, neutering status, and how the dog is managed by its owner play far larger roles than breed alone.
Large-breed dogs can cause more severe injuries during attacks, which is why certain breeds appear more frequently in reports of serious incidents. Public health data, fatality reports, and veterinary sources provide the information below. It is intended to educate, not to stigmatize any particular breed.
The following sections examine the available data on dog bite fatalities and injuries, the important limitations of that data, breeds that have appeared in reports over time, and—most importantly—what dog owners and the public can do to reduce risk.
The following list is based on breed reputation and the number of attacks reported over time. To see photos and more information about each breed, click on a breed name from the following list:
- Akita Dog Breed
- Alaskan Malamute Dog Breed
- American Staffordshire Terrier Dog Breed
- German Shepherd Dog Breed
- Great Dane Dog Breed
- Rottweilers Dog Breed
- Pit Bull Dog Breed
- Presa Canario Dog Breed
- Siberian Husky Dog Breed
- Mastiff Dog Breeds
- Presa Canario Dog Breed
- Labrador Dog Breed
- Doberman Pinschers Dog Breed
- Chow Chow Dog Breed
- Boxer Dog Breed
Understanding Dog Bite Risks: What the Data Shows About Breeds, Limitations, and Prevention
CDC Fatal Dog Attack Study
Over a 20-year span, the CDC Center for Disease Control and Prevention) conducted a study and collected data on dog bite and attack-related fatalities. The following illustrates their findings.
| Purebred | Crossbred | ||
| Breed Name | # of Deaths | Breed Name | # of Deaths |
| Pit Bull Type | 39 | Wolf Dog Hybrid | 14 |
| Rottweiler | 39 | Mixed Breed | 12 |
| German Shepard | 17 | German Shepard | 10 |
| Husky Type | 15 | Pit Bull Type | 10 |
| Malamute | 12 | Husky Type | 6 |
| Doberman Pinscher | 9 | Rottweiler | 5 |
| Chow Chow | 8 | Alaskan Malamute | 3 |
| Great Dane | 7 | Chow Chow | 3 |
| Saint Bernard | 7 | Doberman Pinscher | 0 |
| Total Purebred attacks | 153 | Total Crossbred attacks | 63 |
| Total unknown breed attacks | 238 | ||
| Total deaths 1979-1998 | 454 | ||
It is important to remember that these are only dog bites and attacks, which resulted in death. The number of attacks for which an injury occurred is unknown. The CDC does not track these types of attacks, as they are mostly based on eyewitness accounts and cannot be deemed accurate.
Other studies have been conducted to provide a list of “safe” dogs or dogs which are best to be chosen as a child’s or family’s pet. The dogs on the following list have been deemed “safest” for having around small children and families. They have a good temperament, which means less aggression and little chance of attack.
Dogs Typically Known To Be Family Friendly
The above breeds are generally considered dog-friendly; however, a 2023 study found that some breeds tend to be aggressive.
Temperament and Family Dogs
Many dogs make excellent family companions. Temperament varies enormously within breeds—often more than between breeds. A well-socialized, properly trained dog of almost any breed can be a loving family member.
Even these breeds require proper training, supervision around young children, and responsible ownership. A 2023 veterinary records study highlighted variation in aggression tendencies even among popular breeds (notably higher recorded aggression in some English Cocker Spaniel coat colors), underscoring that individual assessment matters more than blanket breed labels.
Dog Safety
Remember to always use caution when approaching ANY dog, regardless of size or breed, as its temperament determines its attitude and likelihood to bite or attack.
If you have been bitten or attacked by any type of dog, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately after the attack. Never approach a dog that you are unfamiliar with, and keep a safe distance between you and the dog. A fearful dog is much more dangerous than you might think. You can view a list of California dog bite laws on our dog bite statutes page.
Dog Bite Statistics in the U.S (Infographic). Download or share our dangerous breeds dog bite info-graphic to educate others on the dangers of approaching a dangerous dog.
U.S. Dog Bite Fatalities – Key Periods
| Period | Total Fatalities | Pit Bull-Type Dogs | Rottweilers | Notes / Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979–1998 | 454 | High involvement (tied with Rottweilers among known breeds in many reports) | High | CDC / AVMA (Sacks et al.) |
| 2005–2019 | 523 | 346 (~66%) | 52 (~10%) | Comprehensive media + vital stats compilation |
| 2024 | 127 (record high) | The majority of cases | Lower | CDC Wonder data via trackers; sharp post-2019 rise |
Key observations:
- Pit bull-type dogs have been involved in a disproportionately high percentage of fatal attacks in the more recent multi-year dataset.
- Fatalities have increased recently. California consistently ranks among the states with the highest numbers of fatal dog attacks.
- Even with the rise, fatal attacks remain statistically rare relative to the tens of millions of dogs in the United States.
The Challenges of Interpreting Dog Bite Data
Breed-specific dog bite statistics must be interpreted with caution. Several important limitations affect the data:
- Breed identification is often unreliable. Most reports rely on visual identification by owners, witnesses, or media rather than DNA testing or expert evaluation. Many dogs labeled “pit bull-type” are actually mixed breeds or other bully-type dogs.
- Population prevalence matters. Some breeds (such as Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds) have huge populations, so they naturally appear in higher absolute numbers of incidents even if their per-dog risk is not elevated.
- Fatality data represent only a tiny fraction of all dog bites. Most bites are minor and do not result in serious injury or death.
- Owner and environmental factors are the strongest predictors of bites. These include lack of socialization, chaining or tethering, failure to neuter, history of abuse, and irresponsible ownership.
Major veterinary organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), emphasize responsible ownership and education over breed-specific legislation.
Non-Fatal Dog Bites and Injuries
Approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur each year in the United States. Of these, roughly 885,000 people seek medical care annually, and hundreds of thousands visit emergency departments.
Children and older adults are at higher risk of severe outcomes. Many bites result in infection, scarring, or long-term psychological effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are certain dog breeds more dangerous than others?
Data from fatality reports indicate that some breeds, particularly pit bull-type dogs, have appeared more frequently in severe and fatal incidents in recent decades. However, breed is only one factor. Individual temperament, training, and owner responsibility are more predictive of behavior.
What should I do immediately after a dog bite in California?
Seek medical attention right away, even for minor bites (infection risk is high). Report the incident to animal control or local authorities. Document everything with photos and witness statements. Contact an experienced dog bite attorney to understand your rights.
Does breed-specific legislation (BSL) reduce dog bites?
Evidence on the effectiveness of BSL is mixed. Many experts, including the AVMA, advocate focusing on responsible ownership, education, and enforcement of existing laws rather than targeting specific breeds.
Can I still recover compensation if the dog that bit me was a “family pet” with no prior incidents?
Yes. In California, strict liability generally applies regardless of the dog’s prior history or the owner’s knowledge.
How common are fatal dog attacks?
Fatal attacks are statistically rare but have increased recently. Hundreds of thousands of people still suffer serious non-fatal bite injuries annually.
Legal Assistance With a Dog Bite
Dog Bite Laws and Victim Rights in California
California has some of the strongest protections for dog bite victims in the country.
Under California Civil Code § 3342, dog owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dog biting or attacking a person who is lawfully on the property or in a public place. This means the victim generally does not need to prove the owner knew the dog was dangerous beforehand.
You may be entitled to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses (including plastic surgery and ongoing treatment)
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- In some cases, punitive damages if the owner’s conduct was especially reckless
If you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog in California, it is important to document the incident, seek immediate medical care, and preserve evidence (photos, witness information, veterinary records, etc.).
Contact an experienced California dog bite attorney at Bisnar Chase who will fight for your rights and hold the negligent dog owner financially responsible for the damages caused by his or her pet.
Injured victims may be entitled to damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, cost of cosmetic surgery, psychological counseling, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Call us to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights. Call (800) 561-4887.
References
- Sacks JJ et al. Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2000. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10997153/
- DogsBite.org – U.S. Dog Bite Statistics (compiled from CDC Wonder and media reports). https://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-quick-statistics.php
- CDC estimates on annual dog bites and medical care (widely cited in public health literature). See also: https://www.dogsbite.org/
- American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) – Dog Bite Risk and Prevention resources.
- California Civil Code § 3342 (strict liability for dog bites).
Brian Chase
Articles, blogs, and content have been reviewed by legal in-house staff. Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated injury attorney with numerous legal honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $1B for its clients. Brian is a frequent speaker for CAOC, Dordick Trial College, and OCTLA, covering personal injury trial techniques.
