Are these the most aggressive breeds?

Dachshunds are the most aggressive breed according to a study based on interviews with 6,000 dog owners by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in the US. They have suggested that smaller breeds were more genetically predisposed towards aggressive behaviour.

Previous research into the area has generally been based on dog bite statistics. But bites from larger dogs are more likely to need medical attention and the researchers said this might have skewed results as most attacks were not being reported.

According to their study, the pit bull, rottweiler and Rhodesian ridgeback rated average or below average for hostility towards strangers. Golden retrievers, Basset hounds, Labradors, Siberian huskies and Greyhounds came low on the list for aggression. The study, published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science, said the worst offenders were Dachshunds, Chihuahuas and Jack Russells. The highest-rated large dog was the Akita, at number four, while the pit bull came sixth. Rottweilers and Rhodesian ridgebacks didn´t even make it into the top ten.

Predictably small breed owners disagreed with the research but the larger breed owners agreed!! Chris Moore, of the Northern Dachshund Association, described the findings as ´rubbish´. He said: ´It is not in the dogs´ nature. I have never been bitten in 25 years.´ Pam Bungard, of the British Chihuahua Club, said she had owned 14 and come into contact with hundreds of others over the past quarter of a century. ´I judge the breed and I have never been bitten by one. They are a bit yappy but soon they are sitting on people and jumping all over them. I think people could be confusing excitement with aggression.´

The Rottweiler Club in Britain agreed with the researchers´ findings, however. Treasurer Joyce Summers said: ´I have lived with Rottweilers for 40 years and they give nothing but love and affection. I am not surprised Jack Russells are up there near the top. They are yappy little things.´

Comments

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07 Jul 2008 14:41

Dizzy and Angel

Amazing lets hope people read this and relise its not just the breeds that are always in the papers and news that bite. My dad was biten by a Jack Russell in the park. He was walking along minding his own buisness when this dog came from nowhere it bit his ankles and torn his trousers it woulndnt lesve him alone. It draw blood and frightened him. My dad is an oap and it realy shock him up. But the thing is he felt silly that a little dog had biten him and wouldnt report it I wonder if it was the same for other people? They have been biten by a tiny dog it hasnt beeen reported so nobody knows about these tiny tearaways. I think this study is a great eye opener.

07 Jul 2008 12:01

Mary Elms

This is fantastic and interesting research...fantastic that finally,it is being recognized that it´s NOT just the same old breeds that bite and can do harm to people,and interesting that as usual,the same old breeds do not rate high,despite the media´s intention of making them out to be the most dangerous dogs on earth.

Of course it goes without saying,that a larger breed will bite harder and do more damage but then so would being hit by a 4 x 4 rather than a Mini,do more untold damage too.......we all know that ALL dogs can bite,and it´s no good Dachshund breeders/enthusiasts getting upset by this research and saying they´ve never been bitten in all the time they´ve had the breed....that is likely because the dogs have been brought up right and are owned by responsible owners...BUT that is something that WE bull´y and large dog owners have been saying for years....(I´ve never met a bad PB,Staff,Rottie or GSD),yet our breeds are always under fire for being dangerous and often deadly.

I have never met an aggressive Dachshund either but I have heard of some nasty fights between them and other dogs,BUT I do know some aggressive Jack Russells,a few towards other dogs and one other towards humans also..yet everytime,this dog kick´s off,it´s allowed to geta way with it and the owner just laugh´s it off and shrugging his shoulders say´s..."She´s just being a typical terrier,that´s what Jack Russells are like".
That make´s me mad because IF my dogs ever did anything out of order aggressively....I´d be the one in trouble and them facing the death penalty possibly.

It´s high time people understood that ALL dogs have teeth and the ability to bite and there are stories of children being put into hospital through small dog injuries,YET one rarely ever see´s them,because they are not headline stuff....Oh well,I guess,dog´s like mine will have to continue carrying the can as ´devil dogs´.

Good article Ed.....thank´s for sharing.

07 Jul 2008 09:59

Vena Goodwin

Having just come back from holiday, Was down the big park where all dog owners go, Heiko was doing very well off lead with the other dogs, suddenly this bloke appeared with 3 J R´s they made a beeline at Heiko, biting his legs ect, bless him he never retaliated (think he wondered what had hit him) owner response Laughing he said OH! that´s what JR do best.
l was fuming asked how he´d feel if my dog retaliated, he then got stroppy.
Like dog like owner !!! l still feel its down to the owners, whatever breed.