Are you a cat person or just simply uncomfortable or scared of dogs? Do you also think these pups are way too intimidating and risky to bring into your peaceful abode? If it’s true, then you’re not alone.
Many people relate to your feelings of fear and uncertainty regarding certain breeds, like the American pit bull terrier, rottweiler, fila brasilerio (Brazilian mastiff), Tibetan mastiff, cane corso, and German shepherd dog.
Many breeds also face breed-specific legislation and bans for just being defensive and aggressive. But have you ever wondered what underlying factors make these dogs’ behavior unstable to the point that they lash out?
Yes, scary dog breeds exist and are quite dangerous in looks and temperament, but why they exist and what made them scary is the real question we need to contemplate and ponder.
7 Most Intimidating Dog Breeds
These muscular and intimidating dogs make even the strongest person waver in their steps, and will make you sweat with trepidation with just their confident eye contact. Their challenging gaze conveys their emotions in the blink of an eye, silently warning you to stay away or bear the consequences.
1. Rottweiler
This black and tan butcher’s dog is a versatile fella, with strong guarding instincts, incredible strength, muscular build, thick double coats that make them weather resistant, a nonchalant nature, an independent attitude, and sleek style.
VCA Animal Hospitals reports these pooches are expensive, known to be among the most popular pups and the most dangerous, have a bucket load of protective instincts, and a constant intimidating reputation.
If someone talks about sturdy dogs, they make the list; loyal companions, they still make the list, dangerous and daunting pups, and you’ll see the Rottweiler present here, and that too on a higher rank. These pooches are the reason for all the hate and all the love for canines. But this controversial love-hate relationship makes these pooches all the more special.
Now you must be wondering why rottweilers are deserving of all the notoriety? And it’s because of a lack of responsible ownership, neglect, and little to non-existent understanding of their high energy and emotional needs. These pups are aloof yet attention-seeking, physically powerful yet emotionally sensitive, confident yet unsure, and intimidating yet adorable.
Just make sure your rotties receive adequate attention, care, positive reinforcement in training, early socialization, proper grooming, and healthy food at the right time and in the right way, preferably from an early age. These pups have a bite force of 328 PSI and can easily take down an adult person without breaking a sweat.
2. Tosa Inu
Do you know this Japanese Tosa or Tosa Inu is the only dog that still participates legally in the vicious sport of dog fighting to this day? Shocking, isn’t it? You must feel like being transported back in time to the Roman era, where gladiator-style dog fights were held in the colosseum, where two dogs were pitted against each other to fight till death, and ended when one dog killed the other.
But then came a time when dog fighting was banned and deemed illegal because of its brutal and harmful nature. More ethical and productive canine sports and activities were introduced as dogs left the fighting arena and started living in loving and respectable homes.
Although nowadays the tosa inu still suffers the brutal fate of animal abuse in Japan. More animal preservation initiatives and efforts will soon bring an end to animal abuse for the sake of entertainment. This unique, majestic, and downright intriguing pup is a symbol of strength, devotion, and love.
These pups are incredibly protective of their owners and courageous to another level. You’ll rarely encounter a tosa inu cowering away from a challenge.
However, you would be amazed at how such a dog with a massive bite force of 556 PSI can make an obedient, calm, and quiet family pet that can also be utilized as guard dogs and big game hunting dogs.
3. Bullmastiff
Have you ever looked at the size of this huge fella? And why wouldn’t it be a large doggo when its ancestors consist of the now extinct ferocious old English and the strong old English mastiff? But this pup is not just massive, it is also daunting and aggressive even without intention.
A Bullmastiff is known as the “gamekeeper’s night dog”. This muscular dog was originally bred to track, catch, and pounce on poachers who were a bane for every aristocrat and large estate owner in the 18th century in Britain.
Purina says these pups have the agility and strength of the bulldog and mastiff, making them a deadly combination. They are confident, fearless, and courageous dogs who will do anything to protect their owners.
Moreover, if a bullmastiff feels threatened, they can show their territorial and protective instincts. It is crucial to get them properly trained and properly socialized, or else these pups with a strong bite force of 250-300 PSI can be massively destructive.
If you ever encounter a wrinkly Bullmastiff, then try to be calm and composed, because these intelligent pooches are incredibly perceptive and will sense fear from afar. These independent-natured dogs also need proper care along with consistent training that especially includes positive reinforcement methods.
These pups don’t appreciate a negative attitude or harsh treatment. Hence, it’s advised to stay patient and persistent when training your pups. Preferably, start from a young age to transform them into well-behaved personalities.
4. Boxer
Did you know that a boxer is the descendant of the now extinct mighty bullenbaiser from Germany, who was used for hunting large game with the bulldog. Resulting in a pooch that has the strength and agility required for a hunting dog and the ferociousness coupled with the aggressive nature of the fighting dog.
The boxer’s ancestry also includes other dogs like the Great Dane, which is a massive sighthound and hunting dog originally used for hunting big game like wild boar and deer. The English bulldog is also listed as a contributor to the careful development of the German boxers.
Pawlicy Advisor says this medium-sized pup with a broad head and powerful jaws, a muscular body, and sparring forepaws matches the style of a human boxer and is a quite intimidating dog that hates strangers. If they perceive someone is going to harm their owners, they swiftly attack the person in question and are known to be extremely attached and protective of their owners.
Boxers will show aggressive behavior if they haven’t exerted or spent their high energy throughout the day, in exercise, training, or at a demanding job. These pooches work well in an active environment and like to play outdoors.
These scary-looking dogs are intimidating because of their strength and muscular stature, and bite force of 250 PSI, which is proof that they can cause a massive amount of harm to a person.
5. Alaskan Malamute
This extra fluffy and furry cousin of the Siberian husky has a bite force of 400 PSI. If it attacks a human, it’s pretty difficult to salvage or save what’s left behind. These pups are the closest in DNA to wolves and are the descendants of wolf hybrids and wolf dogs. Although these sled dogs seem quite adorable, they are a perfect mixture of beauty and a beast.
Hence, if you ever encounter a snaring Alaskan malamute in your way, make sure to say a prayer, calmly back off, and then leave the place as soon as possible, cause this wild pup will take you down.
Moreover, if you are thinking these pups can be a great hunting companion, then you are heavily mistaken, because even though these pooches were bred for hauling heavy freight for long distances, and to hunting companions.
Omlet says the modern-day Alaskan Malamutes have become way more independent and strong-willed, due to which they are less likely to follow instructions, and more likely to hunt for their own and disregard your opinion by giving an iconic side eye. Because these loyal pups can sometimes show indifference and are very likely to ignore you like you don’t exist.
Only a few dog breeds can give them a run for their money, like a fearless German Shepherd or a Great Pyrenees. Alaskan Malamutes can have a gentle temperament if trained and cared for with proper guidance and socialization from a young age.
But if their high energy drive isn’t utilized properly and they aren’t exercised daily, they will turn into an aggressive dog, which will be uncontrollable and extremely difficult to handle.
6. Pit Bull
The notorious bad boy of the canine world, the pit bull is not just a single dog breed but a collection of originally bred fighting dogs that were used for the brutal sport of bull baiting and bear baiting for several centuries.
Continental Kennel Club says these medium-sized pups have a bite force of 235 to 328 PSI and are the cause of severe injuries, fatalities, and deaths of humans. This notorious mob boss and mafia guy has a whole gang of pitties, which consists of deadly dog breeds.
That either have an unstable behaviour and temperament due to their genetic predispositions, history, or irresponsible ownership, or have turned aggressive due to being confined and leashed.
Many reported fatal incidents that were caused by the pitties happened without provocation or threatening, which is quite scary and bizarre. Many people say the breeding of such aggressive dogs should be stopped, and they should be banned due to the risk they pose.
Many states and countries have also imposed breed-specific legislations and bans on pit bulls due to the lives they have cost and deem them as an irreparable and impossible breed that cannot be trained, tamed, or socialized.
People carry the presumption that this aggressive dog breed has gone way beyond fixing and mending. Yet many breeders still breed these dogs because of their sensitive, emotional, and overly affectionate nature. Nowadays, these pooches are seen constantly looking for approval and validation because they are labeled as stereotypical bastards.
But it is to be considered that we cannot judge a huge variety of bull and terrier breeds by an individual dog’s behavior. Modern pit bulls are mixed breeds or mutts that cannot be evaluated or judged by any single dog’s behavior. Hence should be given a fair chance of survival, with proper training, socialization, and care.
7. Chow Chow
You will definitely be shocked and stunned if you approach this fluffy pooch just to pet its bulky teddy bear body. Beware, never approach the chow chow without precaution because this chow chow might chow down on your hand or simply huff, turn around, and leave your vicinity after causing a huge disappointment and heartbreak on your part. These dogs might look like fluffy and cozy pups, but they hate being touched or cuddled by strangers.
Orvis says training and early exposure are necessary for these Asian-Chinese dogs to make them sociable and friendly. But it’s better not to adopt this demanding and challenging pup who just wants to be left alone and wants to roam independently around the world.
Their dense double coat and lion-like mane protect them from the harsh climate of northern China. These pups were originally hunting companions and guard dogs of Chinese emperors and nobility in ancient China and would have been perfect soldiers for fighting alongside Mulan to defeat the Huns because they are also presumed to be bred for wars and were referred to as the dogs of the barbarians.
The bite force of a chow chow is quite strong, standing at 220 PSI. Modern-day chow chows are known for their hunting prowess and can be destructive and detrimental to other animals
Conclusion
In a nutshell, even the most intimidating dog breeds can be tamed and trained with consistency, persistence, and patience. Their intimidating presence is daunting; however, their protective nature is endearing and shows how much they care for us human beings. These dogs have been our hunting companions and guardians for centuries.
They have served us in ways no other creatures can, from domestic dogs that are intimidating breeds because they have to be, as we developed them for such reasons, wanting strong defenders and protectors who can look after and take care of our food supply with determination and dedication.
These gentle giants have proven their mettle; such breeds have turned into family members in modern families and are honored for their contribution to the perseverance of human society. It isn’t necessary that certain dog breeds, like wolf hybrids or wild dogs, are dangerous dog breeds. Because if we look at these scary dogs, most of them have a painful back story or a valid reason for behaving aggressively.
These intimidating breeds of dogs are often misunderstood due to their history of dog attacks or aggression, but most dogs react defensively due to fear or neglect, or especially when they feel threatened. But proper training, mental stimulation, and proper socialization can transform these pooches into caring and well-mannered companions.
