For those who don't want
their screen populated by 10 windows with tiny type,
here are the "terrible ten" all in one list.
NOTE: The first two
breeds on this list account for 60% of fatal dog
attacks. Again, this is NOT MY LIST. This
was created from a list of breeds in a report issued
by the CDC. See the
full report here.
"Pit
Bull"
is a generic term
used to categorize several breeds including:
Broken down into individual breeds, none of the above
would make the "terrible ten". However, one must keep in
mind that the above breeds were designed to fight bears, bait bulls, and
pit fighting.
While properly bred, socialized, and trained specimens of the above
named breeds can be among the finest family pets, you must
remember the purpose for which the breed was designed.
The members of the above breeds are
bred to be aggressive, powerful fighters. Their bite exerts hundreds of pounds of pressure, more than
that of the average
German Shepherd. The best bred, best socialized Am Staff, APBT or
SBT will exhibit aggressive tendencies. It is what they
were bred to do. Their enthusiasts love them passionately and would have
them no other way.
This
doesn't mean that there aren't dogs of the above breeds who are
submissive and possess no desire to fight. However, if you've
owned one of the above breeds and found your dog to be submissive and
not aggressive, be aware that your dog is the exception and not the
rule.
Rottweiler:
The
Rottweiler is a member of the AKC's "Working
Group". These magnificent, powerful and
intelligent dogs posses a calm, confident and
courageous manner with a self-assured aloofness.
This is most certainly not a dog to be bought then
chained in the back yard. These dogs need to
be a part of the family.
Properly obtained and trained, these dogs are
positively addictive for the confident, strong,
uncompromising leader. Properly bred,
trained and socialized, this breed will be fine
for households with older, confident and mature
children.
The popularity of this magnificent breed has been
it's downfall. Unscrupulous breeders,
anxious to make a quick profit are as guilty of
tarnishing this magnificent breed's name as the
reckless owners whose low self-esteem drives them
to seek the most menacing, under- socialized dog
they can find.
Finding
a reputable, knowledgeable breeder is of utmost
importance with this breed as is a commitment to
training this marvelous companion. As great
a joy as it is to own a properly bred one, one is
asking for unequalled sorrow purchasing this dog
from a less than knowledgeable breeder.
Siberian
Husky:
The original "sled dog", the
Siberian Husky's original purpose as a sled dog
was to carry a light load at a moderate speed over
great distances. Remember, a sled dog's
place was not inside at his master's feet, but
outside with the other sled dogs.
His
activity level inside is high and he is playful.
This is a large and powerful dog, so think "bull in china shop".
Huskies need a productive outlet for this high
energy level.
Yet again, the Siberian Husky's appearance on this
list is a testament to the greed and selfish
ambition of certain breeders. This breed's
high prey drive and strong willed temperament mean
it's not for everyone, especially families with
small children.
Note:
whenever you see "high prey drive"
regarding a breed, know that this is usually not a
breed suited for families with small (under 8) children.
Small children, as they run and squeal, can easily
be mistaken for prey.
Dogs
with a high prey drive are programmed to react to
the strong visual and auditory stimulus of an
object moving quickly and making high pitched
sounds.
A dog
with a high prey drive is essential for many kinds
of competition, but if your family is populated by
youngsters, it would be best to wait a few years
before adding a breed with a high prey
drive.
Saint Bernard:
Yet another breed that has been shamelessly
exploited by poor breeders.
If you have the
time, space and the commitment to properly train
and socialize your puppy (not to mention the
ability to tolerate lots of shedding and
drooling), this is a wonderful breed.
This huge, powerful
dog can be calm, sensible, gentle and patient when
bought from a careful, caring breeder and properly
trained and socialized. Bought from a pet
store, or poor breeder and you could end up with a
sickly, dominant or aggressive St. Bernard.
He's loyal and
anxious to please, but does not respond well to
harshness and jerking during training.
German
Shepherd:
Oddly enough, you'll find this breed
listed on the top ten breed for families. In
addition, you'll find this breed in the top ten of
the AKC's most popular breeds (determined by
number of registrations per year).
Part
of the "new" AKC "Herding
Group" classification, the German
Shepherd is known for its intelligence and
faithfulness. It's many roles include family
companion, guide dog, and police dog.
Once again, another magnificent breed winds up on
the "Terrible Ten" because of the
popularity of its breed.
Unscrupulous
or uneducated breeders, more worried about turning
a profit than breeding the best German Shepherd,
have introduced thousands of nervous, timid,
territorial, aggressive and dominant, GSD's into
homes across America.
This
is a breed that should never be bought then
forgotten in the back yard. A well-bred
German Shepherd with proper training is a joy
while an improperly bred and untrained GSD is
enough to turn one off of dog ownership forever.
Great Dane:
This
regal, elegant breed is usually gentle, easygoing
and mild mannered.
Great
Danes require lots of space and companionship,
so be prepared to take this gentle giant with you
and your family where ever you go. They are also
notoriously clumsy as puppies and young adults
which means adding a Dane puppy to a household
with small children could mean trouble.
A Great Dane bought
from a poor breeder or raised incorrectly is
anything but gentle. Many such dogs are
often hyperactive, nervous and aggressive, which
are less than charming traits in a 150 lb animal.
Doberman Pinscher
Known world-wide as a guard dog,
military dog and Schutzhund dog, the Doberman
Pinscher's manner is reserved and protected.
While Doberman temperament varies, (some
are sweet and mellow, while others are nervous or suspicious) early
training and socialization is a must.
Dobermans bred for show are often more
slender, elegant and less aggressive than working lines. This dog
responds to gentle correction. Hit, slap or otherwise abuse this
breed and you're asking for trouble. (Keep in mind, small children
often dole out "abuse" unintentionally.)
Chow Chow:
Under this breed's adorable "fuzzball"
appearance lies an independent, serious and
protective dog.
Ongoing exercise,
socialization and supervision are essential when
owning a Chow.
Leaving your Chow
Chow unsupervised in your fenced yard for long
periods of time can result in your dog being
overly-territorial. (Read: your Chow will be
overtly aggressive to strangers entering
"his" land.)
Chows have limited
peripheral vision because of their deep set eyes
so it's best to approach the dog within the scope
of that vision.
Alaskan
Malamute: The most wolf-like of dogs,
the Alaskan
Malamute is a true pack animal with the
natural instinct to "lead or be led".
Training
of this beautiful dog must begin much sooner than
with other breeds, as early as three to five
months of age.
This
is a powerful muscular athletic dog with a high
prey drive. (Too many owners fall in
love with this breed's appearance without
investigating the other facets of the breed.
According
to Sapir Weiss's website Digital
Dog "Forcing this breed into
submission will only result in incredible
aggressive reaction." He follows this
statement with the comment "Good luck."
Forewarned is forearmed.
Akita: The
last of the "Terrible Ten" is the Akita.
A powerfully built dog originally developed to
hunt bears in Japan, the Japanese now use the
Akita as a guard dog and police dog.
This powerful breed can be difficult to train and
will bite if threatened.
Originally bred to
fight bears and protect the owner's possessions,
this breed's personality is often described as
"bear-like".
While Japanese
mothers often left their children in the care of
the capable Akita, be warned that the breed's
tolerance of children does not usually extend
beyond the family "pack". Food for
thought for suburban families who live in close
proximity to dozens of neighborhood children: the
Akita may view as these neighborhood children as
"intruders".