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Editor: Jeffrey Harlan Penneys, Esq.
Profession: Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorney

Category: Miscellaneous Dog Issues

Common dangerous dog breeds

When addressing the topic of "dangerous dogs", it is important to remember that no breed is guaranteed to be 100% bite-free or attack-free.

In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that 25 breeds of dogs were involved in 238 fatal dog bites from 1979-1998. More than 50% of the deaths for which the breed was known were caused by Pit Bull type dogs and Rottweilers.*

Due to the high cost of dog bite liability claims, some insurance companies have blacklisted certain breeds and are refusing to provide homeowners insurance to those who own these dog breeds. According to the Insurance Information Institute, liability claims have increased from $250 million in 1996 to $310 million in 2001.

"Blacklisted" breeds may include:

Pit Bulls Alaskan Malamutes
Rottweilers Akitas
Chow Chows American Staffordshire Terriers
Doberman Pinschers Boxers
German Shepherds Great Danes
Siberian Huskies Wolf-hybrids
Perro de Presa Canarios.
The Presa Canario breed came to the forefront when Diane Whipple was attacked and killed outside the door of her California apartment.
Any dog that has any of the above breeds in their lineage.

If a dog has a history of violent behavior, it is determined to be a dangerous dog no matter what its pedigree. Once a determination has been made that the dog is dangerous, the laws of the community governing dangerous dogs must be applied.