Cute dogs with hidden risks sounds alarming yet fascinating. Your hunt for choosing a dog should go beyond appearances; you need to know about temperament, traits, and the history of the dog that you are going to make your family now.
Not all dogs are made for every home—and sometimes, love alone isn’t enough to ensure harmony and safety. While every dog deserves compassion and care, certain breeds come with strong instincts, challenging temperaments, or misunderstood reputations that may not suit all families or living spaces.
Some breeds are banned or become the focal point of heated debates, rather than being able to enjoy a family companionship.
Though all dogs are testament of loyalty and love, some of them may become unpredictable and indulge in causing dog bite injuries, and make headlines.
Whether it’s due to high energy, guarding tendencies, or unpredictable behavior when poorly trained, these breeds often spark debate among owners and experts alike.
According to the AKC, breed alone does not participate in aggressive behavior of dogs; pain, fear, and age also mark their name in the list. Let’s dig more into this topic, as the picture is more complicated than stereotypes suggest.
Controversial Dog Breeds to Avoid
1. American Pit Bull Terrier
The American Pitbull Terrier was originally bred to be a fighting dog. But its ancestors were used for baiting large animals. However, when bull baiting became outlawed in the 1800s, people shaped them into fighting canines.
In many countries, this powerful dog is banned owing to its high prey drive and has a controversial reputation. Yet, to some owners, these dogs are affectionate and loyal companions, says PetMD.
The American Pit Bull Terrier is a medium-sized dog with a muscular build and a short, smooth coat. This dog can make a good family pet if it is trained and socialized well. Yet, it is advised that households with small kids should avoid this breed as they tend to be overexcited at any time.
Fun Fact: Pitbull is not a single word; it is used to describe different breeds like American bulldog, American terrier, and some mixed breeds.
2. Rottweiler
Fiercely loyal and commanding, the Rottweiler straddles the border between protection and danger. It is famous for having a protective, devoted nature and strength. But Rotties also rank among the most dangerous dog breeds, as these intimidating dogs have aggressive tendencies.
They make an excellent choice as a guard dog breed in homes. They are known for their abilities to protect and do anything to guard their owners from danger. Unfortunately, some pet owners train Rottweilers to be vicious, protective dogs, which leads to fatal dog attacks and severe injuries.
As a high-energy dog, it needs ample exercise to feel fulfilled; otherwise may develop some behavioral issues. The key to having a well-mannered Rottie is early socialization, daily exercise, and obedience training. These intelligent and independent dogs are not a good choice for inexperienced dog owners.
3. Cane Corso
Smart, brave, and extremely powerful Cane Corso is also known for its strong territorial behavior. This Italian Mastiff is often considered a dangerous dog breed due to its size, strength of bite, and aggressive behavior.
However, the concerned problem in Cane Corso is protective aggression, and they can be shaped by proper training and socialization at an early age. Properly trained Cane Corso, along with mental and physical stimulation, make calm family pets and steadfast guardians, according to Purina.
The reason behind their popularity in recent years in many households is due to their protective instincts and loyal yet calm companionship.
Fun Fact: Cane Corso has a bite force more than 700 PSI which means even a single dog bite can cause serious injuries.
They are not a good choice for first-time dog owners and need experienced owners who can handle their dominant presence. These working dogs are easy to train and excel in obedience classes and scent detection.
4. Chow Chow
Independent and strong-willed Chow Chows remain contented in their own company, which probably makes them a controversial, dangerous dog breed. These pets can be affectionate towards their owners with adequate training and socialization at a young age.
They make good watchdogs and protective dogs as well, mentions, Britannica.
The stubborn nature of Chow Chow makes training a bit challenging for the owners. The Chow Chow breed is not inherently aggressive, but their reserved behavior shapes them to be wary of strangers and unfamiliar dogs or other animals. This dog requires responsible ownership for firm training.
They are perfect dogs for families who want low-key yet confident companions in their busy routine. Chow Chows are not overly loving; however, these loyal pals enjoy sitting on their owner’s feet. Mental activities like nose work or trick training can help your Chow Chow to live a happy life.
5. Dogo Argentino
Dogo Argentino stands among the most dangerous dog breeds due to its strong prey drive, aggressive nature, and protective behavior. An improperly trained Dogo shows aggression towards humans as well as other animals. Also known as the Argentine Mastiff, this dog breed was bred for big game hunting.
It is reported that Dogo was involved in some dog bite incidents, which led to its negative perception, and the decision to ban it in certain countries. To ensure public safety and prevent dog bite injuries, dog owners should strictly train and socialize them at an early age.
Yet, a well-behaved Argentine Mastiff is loyal and protective of its master and family.
They were descended from one of the infamous dog-fighting breeds; naturally, some dog members of this breed may show aggression, especially intact males. With retained hunting instincts, the Dogo Argentino should not be trusted with smaller animals.
These dominant canines are not for inexperienced owners as they require firm training with consistency.
6. Japanese Tosa
Sumo Wrestlers of the Dog Kingdom. This large dog should always be in the care of responsible and experienced dog owners. Unfortunately, Japanese Tosa is picked up by the opposite type of masters, leading to its banning in different countries. Moreover, the ban also stems from its long history.
In the mid-19th century, the Japanese Tosa was developed to be a fighting dog. But the inhabitants of Tosa (a province in Japan) needed a sumo-style match who should fight silently and with aggression.
AKC has not promoted this breed for general owners due to welfare concerns. In Japan, this breed is rare and difficult to license.
During training, intelligence and an eager-to-please nature are both helpful for owners. These athletic dogs also do not mind spending their time with their beloved ones. While being playful and silly around families, they may not welcome the new members.
7. Akita Inu
Regardless of the popularity of this large dog, it is not a pet for every household. Strong-headed, intimidating Akita Inu has a strong protective nature along with prey drive, making them a dangerous dog breed. In the US, this breed is considered the 3rd most prone to unprovoked dog bite cases.
Akita Inu makes a good family guard dog if trained appropriately by experienced pet owners. However, these dogs are aggressive towards the same sex, regardless of size, whether it’s a big dog or a small one. These smart brains are also strong-minded, and make training difficult.
Since they were bred to be our guardians, Akita Inu do not get along well with new faces and take them as a threat to the family. They love to chase after small animals having swift movements due to strong prey drive, which is why they must be kept on a leash or in a well-fenced area.
Early socialization is compulsory for raising a well-behaved Akita Inu.
Conclusion
Complex histories, genes, and behavior make some canines unsuitable for every home. One should always be informed well before buying or adopting a breed, as it can save them from unseen troubles and heartbreak.
However, these breeds also need ample time and attention from their owners to be well-trained and well-behaved in society.
These misunderstood dogs include more breeds like the American Staffordshire Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Siberian Husky, Presa Canario, and Cane Corso. A loving and responsible pet owner can turn this controversy into confidence.
