10 Meanest Dog Breeds: The 10 Most Aggressive Dogs and Why

Dogs are known as “man’s best friend” for a reason. They are loyal, friendly, and make great pets. However, not all dogs are created equal.

Some breeds are much meaner than others. If you are considering getting a dog, it is important to do your research and find out which breeds are the most aggressive.

In this blog post, we will discuss the 10 meanest dog breeds and why they might be a bad choice for a pet.

Why are some dogs mean?

Some dog breeds are particular with aggression. When we talk about aggression, we’re referring to dogs that are most likely to bite. However, other common signs of aggression include growling and barking.

Temperament testing is typically used to determine the aggressiveness level of a specific breed. 

The American Temperament Testing Society test presents dogs with different stimuli to see how they perform in certain situations.

These tests aren’t perfect, and they can’t identify which breeds are aggressive or not, but they do provide some information on which dog breeds tend to show threatening behavior.

Another thing to consider is a dog’s prey drive. When confronted with little animals, a dog with a strong prey drive is likely to act on his hunting instincts, but this does not make him dangerous or aggressive.

The difference between instinct and fear is crucial to understand since the aggressive behavior of dogs toward people is generally caused by anxiety rather than your dog’s hunting urge.

So let’s move forward to the meanest and most aggressive dog breeds known to man. Again, this could be a case-to-case basis and it depends on how a dog parent trains these dog breeds.

1. Wolf-Dog Hybrids

In the wild, wolves tend to display aggressive behavior when they reach sexual maturity.

They like to go against the alpha male of the pack, which may be a problem in a family environment where they are the pack leader.

The most difficult part of adopting a wolf-dog mix as a puppy is that you don’t know whether or not this aggressive behavior will develop when the dog grows up.

2. Saint Bernard

The Saint Bernard is a working dog breed that originates in the Alps. For hundreds of years, they have been used as avalanche rescue dogs, and they perform well when focusing on a goal.

It takes a lot of patience to train this big, strong dog that takes a little more effort to train.

Male Saint Bernards, in particular, may be stubborn and challenge your authority.

You must ensure that these dogs are properly trained so that they acknowledge you as their leader.

Socializing your Saint Bernard will help them get used to people and environments they are unfamiliar with, which will make them less suspicious and more willing to interact.

3. Pomeranian

Pomeranians are a small breed that may be intimidated by bigger animals and people.

They may also become quickly aggressive as a result. If you discover that your Pomeranian is aggressive toward family members, you’ll need to establish your dog’s place in the “pack.”

If he/she recognizes that you are the leader, he won’t have any reason to be aggressive.

Related: 15 Reasons Why You Should Never Own Pomeranians

4. Boxer

Boxers are energetic dogs that require a lot of exercise. They can become bored or angry if they don’t get enough activity, which can lead to aggressive behavior.

Boxers have a powerful bite and can result in serious injury. However, Boxers may be wonderful family pets if trained and exercised correctly.

5. Pit Bulls

Pitbull is a term that refers to a wide range of dogs with many of whom being closely related yet not the same breed.

The American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, the Bull Terrier, and the Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier all fall into this category.

The Pitbull was originally bred to bait and pull down bulls and bears. This group of dogs is currently the most popular breed used in dogfighting, contributing to their reputation as one of the most aggressive dogs by nature.

Related: 14 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Own Pit Bulls As Pet

6. Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher is a very loyal and alert breed that makes one of the finest guard dogs available. They’ll only attack if provoked, and they’re aggressive towards other dogs as well as strangers.

However, despite their aggressiveness, Doberman experts adore this breed.

7. Chow Chow

Another little breed to appear on the list is the Chow Chow. They are stout, fluffy dogs with a teddy bear appearance but can have a vicious side.

Chow Chows may be aggressive toward new people and other dogs if they haven’t been properly trained, and they are more likely to bite than other breeds.

If you want to adopt a Chow Chow, you must first ensure that you have the time and dedication to provide this dog with adequate training and care.

Related: 14 Reasons Why You Should Never Own Chow Chows

8. Chihuahua

The tiny Chihuahua may appear to be an odd choice among this list.

After all, they are smaller than most cats and are unable to cause any severe damage.

Chihuahuas, on the other hand, can be aggressive when they are inadequately trained.

Tiny dogs like Chihuahuas may appear to be less necessary to train since they are somewhat docile, but they can be stubborn and need to know who’s in charge.

9. Dachshunds

Dachshunds may be small, but they have one of the loudest barks.

They’re more aggressive toward strangers, and though they probably can’t do much damage, the continuous barking may become a problem.

If you want to stop your Dachshund’s aggressive behavior, you’ll need to teach him the same way you would a larger breed dog.

10. Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies are aggressive as a result of poor training. Even for experienced dog owners, these dogs may be stubborn and present difficulties.

Siberian Huskies require a lot of work, a lot of exercise, and plenty of time spent with people and other dogs.

If you are a first-time dog owner or simply do not have the time to devote to a Siberian Husky’s training and care, you might want to consider adopting another breed.

Related: 15 Unknown Facts About The Siberian Husky

FAQs

What Is the Most Aggressive Dog?

The Wolf Hybrid is the most aggressive dog breed, followed by the Cane Corso, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher, Chow Chow, Siberian Husky, Pit Bull Terrier, and other breeds mentioned above. 

What Is the Most Dangerous Dog?

According to the American Veterinary Association, and the CDC, the top 3 most dangerous dogs are the Pit Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, and German shepherd. 

Which Dog Has Killed the Most Humans?

Pit Bulls have killed the most people in the United States. As of 2018, research indicated they accounted for 66% of deaths.

Proper Training Addresses Aggression

While all of the above are considered aggressive dog breeds, it’s worth noting that a lot of canine behavior is dependent on attitude.

With the appropriate training, several dogs on this list may be non-aggressive and docile. You should also consider shelter dogs as they show less aggression.

Many on the list will also not be mean to their family members but show aggression to strangers. Training is the key in most cases.