Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years. Still, a dog’s size, strength, origins and environment can lead to an aggressive nature. How a dog is treated will often dictate its response. In other words, if a dog is abused and feels threatened, fearful or hurt, it can act out.
That means any dog has the propensity to be dangerous without the proper training and treatment. After reviewing several resources, however, we found the following dog breeds to be considered the most dangerous. Some even land on banned or uninsurable lists.
What can we do to change this? Well, with proper socialization, training and love, every dog can be a loyal family companion and best friend, including these breeds. Just see for yourself.
Pit Bull
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Pitties aren’t one breed, but describe the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Bull Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, all of which are descended from English Bulldogs and were bred for bull-baiting — the practice of pinning larger animals like bulls or bears by biting them around the face or head. When the sport was outlawed in the mid-1800s, people turned the dogs against each other, and they were bred down with smaller, quicker breeds like terriers to make them more athletic.
Today, pit bulls are responsible for the majority of dog attacks in the U.S. Those that do the most damage are usually shown little love and are bred to be used as guard dogs or in illegal dogfighting. However, with a responsible, loving owner and proper training and socialization, a pit bull can be a loyal, gentle member of any family, even if it had less-than-desirable beginnings. After all, these were once considered “Nanny Dogs” for their loyalty when it came to children.