Many people assume that larger dogs are more dangerous. But does the dog’s breed actually matter from a safety perspective? What does research tell us?
To begin with, research into aggressive behavior finds that it is more common in smaller dogs. This could be in part due to their size, as small dogs believe that they need to have this aggressive temperament in order to protect themselves.
Another thing to consider is that smaller dogs tend to live longer than larger breeds. Some evidence suggests that aggression increases in dogs as they grow older. This would naturally be more common for smaller breeds.
But there’s another way to look at the issue, and that’s by examining fatal attacks. For the most part, these attacks involve large breeds. Pit bulls are the most common dogs involved in deadly attacks, for example, although breeds like Rottweilers or German Shepherds are often involved, as well.
A big reason for this difference is simply that these larger breeds are stronger and more powerful, so they are able to cause more serious injuries. They may not be as aggressive or attack as often as smaller breeds, but a single attack can have far more severe ramifications.
Have you been injured by an aggressive dog? You may deserve financial compensation, so be sure you understand your legal options.
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