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Let’s first discuss what “Risky” Dog Breed List means. We can perceive this through the eyes of home and renters insurance carriers. Each company may have a unique list, but virtually every time they include Pitbulls( of any sort, or mixes!), Rottweilers, Doberman Pinchers, and German Shepherds. Others may include Chows, Great Danes, Presa Canarios, Alaskan Malmutes, Siberian Huskies, Wolf hybrids,and Akitas. The Pitbull classification has expanded to Bully breeds in general in many instances. The concept is to cut claims for dog bites. If you do not tell them about your dog they will deny your claim.
Hopefully Breed Specific Legislation(BSL), is known to most people. BSL is up for debate in almost all states and counties in the US. These breed bans can range from a fine for the owner, to death of the dog. These laws pertain often to just OWNING a dog of a breed, not just after a bite circumstance, but in general. Of course the issues that need to be clarified is NOT the biggest or most frequent biters, but the damage or “killing” bite of the dog. One can naturally see that a bigger dog, or one that man bred to hunt or work with kill ability, will be highlighted. Following is a list to visually present a more realistic dog bite record. The breed is followed by how many dogs were reported, percentage of biting a human stranger, then percent that bit the owner, next other dogs (for no particular reason), then dog rivalry. The last two columns are average of that breed are biters, then biting people.
This Risky Dog Breed List graph was found in Indigo Rescue…http://indigorescue.org/?page_id=83
|
Breed |
# of Dogs |
Human – Stranger |
Owners |
Other Dogs |
Dog Rivalry |
Ave All |
Ave People |
| Dachshund |
68 |
21% |
6% |
18% |
7% |
10% |
14% |
| Chihuahua |
56 |
16% |
5% |
18% |
4% |
9% |
11% |
| Beagle |
63 |
8% |
8% |
10% |
6% |
6% |
8% |
| Jack Russell Terrier |
78 |
8% |
4% |
22% |
9% |
9% |
6% |
| Australian Cattle Dog |
136 |
10% |
1% |
21% |
4% |
7% |
6% |
| Cocker Spaniel |
107 |
5% |
6% |
7% |
4% |
4% |
6% |
| Border Collie |
163 |
8% |
2% |
13% |
4% |
5% |
5% |
| Pit Bull |
132 |
7% |
2% |
22% |
8% |
8% |
5% |
| Great Dane |
53 |
6% |
2% |
25% |
6% |
8% |
4% |
| English Springer Spaniel |
57 |
4% |
4% |
18% |
7% |
7% |
4% |
| Shetland Sheepdog |
57 |
4% |
4% |
4% |
4% |
3% |
4% |
| Airedale Terrier |
66 |
5% |
2% |
9% |
3% |
4% |
4% |
| Bichon Frise |
65 |
5% |
2% |
5% |
3% |
3% |
4% |
| Doberman Pinscher |
144 |
6% |
1% |
11% |
3% |
4% |
4% |
| Rottweiler |
210 |
5% |
1% |
8% |
1% |
3% |
3% |
| Boxer |
70 |
6% |
0% |
16% |
4% |
5% |
3% |
| German Shepherd |
292 |
4% |
2% |
16% |
4% |
5% |
3% |
| Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier |
216 |
4% |
2% |
16% |
4% |
5% |
3% |
| Akita |
99 |
3% |
3% |
1% |
5% |
2% |
3% |
| Collie |
132 |
2% |
2% |
7% |
2% |
3% |
2% |
| Bernese Mntn Dog |
67 |
1% |
3% |
4% |
1% |
2% |
2% |
| Mastiff (English) |
126 |
2% |
1% |
6% |
4% |
3% |
2% |
| Portuguese Water Dog |
75 |
3% |
0% |
7% |
3% |
3% |
2% |
| Havanese |
73 |
3% |
0% |
4% |
1% |
2% |
2% |
| Golden Retriever |
181 |
1% |
1% |
7% |
2% |
2% |
1% |
| Siberian Husky |
54 |
0% |
2% |
6% |
2% |
2% |
1% |
| Brittany Spaniel |
66 |
0% |
2% |
5% |
2% |
2% |
1% |
| Whippet |
59 |
0% |
2% |
3% |
2% |
1% |
1% |
| Greyhound |
62 |
2% |
0% |
2% |
0% |
1% |
1% |
| Poodle |
169 |
1% |
0% |
8% |
1% |
2% |
1% |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback |
69 |
1% |
0% |
6% |
1% |
2% |
1% |
| Labrador Retriever |
349 |
1% |
0% |
2% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
One thing you will notice is that many on the Dog Breed List have a higher percentage of dog-dog aggression. For dogs, being territorial, this is not a great surprise. I would have to say the most important percentages are those that show aggression toward people; Humans/Stranger and Owners .http://indigorescue.org/?page_id=83
It is obvious that looking at a chart of dog breeds, the dogs with more bite tendencies are Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, Beagles and Jack Russels.
People will argue, and with cause, the larger breeds have more power, thus a stronger and lethal bite. This year there has been a baby killed by a Pomeranian, another by a husky, and one with a Golden/Labrador retriever mix. What does that prove to the statisticians?
The point is that being prejudice whether it be man or dog is wrong. The “evil” pit bull was ,and still is(Staffordshire), nanny dogs. They are dependable, gentle, and protective. The first dog to win a medal in the US forces was a pitbull name Stubby. Through out our wars, best friends and working breeds, German Shepherds, Pitbulls, Doberman Pinchers, Rottweilers, and American Bulldogs, have been on duty to protect our freedom.
Apparently, the public’s appreciation for those we created to work, are no longer looked at with pride but with fear.
Keep in mind that when you get a dog that belongs to the ” dangerous dog” list, you may run into difficulties getting a house or apartment to allow the dog to remain. But also remember, for your own choices, keep in mind the dogs that bite people frequently, with no apparent reason.
Bringing a dog into your life is a commitment, not a game. There are many groups determined to remove the stigma placed on these proud breeds, by owners who through training of bad intentions, cruelty to these dogs, and owners who do not research breeds predisposition. This means every breed, large or small.Insurance companies, landlords, and even county and state laws determine what dog you may possess. It would be equal to refuse to insure or allow a person of a religion, color, or where they were raised to rent a home or apartment. So please consider all and review the “Risky” Dog Breed List
