Top 10 Breeds of Dogs With Bad Reputations

"Breed specific" legislation in states and municipalities across the country has targeted many types of dogs across the country that, often through no fault of their own, are labeled as dangerous, according to the Animal Legal and Historical Web Center. Breeds classified under this law can cause an increase in homeowner insurance rates for the owners or may face euthanasia.

  1. Blackballed Breeds

    • Dogs of every breed respond to the stimuli presented to them, whether nurtured by love and trust or provoked by pain and fear. Certain breeds, however, are considered more dangerous than others, including the Akita, bulldog, bullmastiff, chow, Doberman, German shepherd, husky, Presa Canario, Rottweiler and pit bull, or any mix-breed combination thereof, according to Rebecca O'Connor of the Pet Place website.

    Size Matters?

    • Each of the dogs on this Top 10 list of breeds with bad reputations is considered large, extra-large or giant based upon breed size standards. This is an indication that the bigger the dog, the more dangerous he is -- or is alleged or perceived to be. While dog breed statistics do reflect a higher number of incidents in association with the 10 breeds on this list, the Dog Bite Law website says that dogs of certain breeds are not born dangerous by default. "Any individual dog may be a good, loving pet, even though its breed is considered to be potentially dangerous."

    Identifying a Pit Bull

    • The pit bull is misunderstood more than any other breed, because many people cannot identify it. Dogs with triangular jaws, muscular bodies and cropped ears are all lumped together as the generic "pit bull," when in fact the pit bull can be any of the following breeds: American Staffordshire terrier, English bull terrier, American bulldog, Presa Canario and Staffordshire bull terrier. The subtle differences of each one have cast them all into a much-debated single grouping.

    The Human Element

    • The common denominators among these 10 dog breeds are strength, size, independent attitude and intelligence, making these particular breeds highly sought-after as guard and protection dogs, as well as combatants in the fighting ring. According to the Dog Bite Law website, any breed of dog is capable of biting when trained to do so; dogs whose physiques make them more popular sentries than their "non-dangerous" counterparts are often taught to attack, which brings more attention to incidents involving these particular breeds.