Dog Bite Attacks by Breed: NEW STUDIES

If you ask a Pittsburgh lawyer at our dog bite firm:  what is the most dangerous breed of dog?  We will tell you: that's a trick question, because every dog is potentially dangerous and prone to attack.

No dog is "safe."

We've previously written about how any canine having a "bad day" can't talk about its feelings; rather, when a dog's upset, it will eventually bite. Numerous things can trigger a bite: 

• • a person standing over a dog, not realizing it's menacing to the animal,
  • loud talking or other sound that's incredibly uncomfortable for the dog, such as "loud talker" neighbors, catching up in the yard, 
  • children pulling on the dog, 
  • the dog's health issue that's not diagnosed or treated, or
  • a host of other reasons. 

Hence, the breed (such as the popular golden retriever) is not often not relevant when it comes to injuries from an attack.

But is it possible to know which animal breed is most responsible for dog bites? Is it a put bull?  A Rottweiler? A Doberman Pinscher? A Mastiff? Poodle? Mixed breed? 

Under Reporting of Dog Bites

Another reason why it's difficult to know whether one canine breed causes more attacks than another is the lack of accurate reporting: many canine-caused injuries are kept private.  According to a 2023 study, a shocking eighty-one (81) percent of dog bite victims do not seek medical care. Thus, the vast majority of attacks go under-reported.  

Plus, our Pittsburgh attorneys handling dog bite cases know that most attacks involve children -- specifically, kids attacked by mixed breed or otherwise "safe" family pets. Only family members are often reluctant to make a claim against family for anything, including damages caused by a dog. 

Thus, many call a lawyer about a bitten child, but then decide against pursuing a claim. Often they (stupidly) fear making a family member's "homeowner insurance rates go up," which rarely occurs. Even if it did, obtaining compensation is whole point of having insurance. So, the amount of mixed breed -- or "safe" breed attacks (by Golden or Black Labrador Retrievers, for example) -- are likely underreported. 

But are certain breeds more often to attack? 

 

Study of Reported Attacks - The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) 

According to its website, the AAHA is "still the only organization to accredit companion animal veterinary hospitals. To become AAHA accredited, practices undergo regular, comprehensive onsite evaluations by AAHA veterinary experts who evaluate each practice on more than 900 standards of veterinary care." 

The AAHA performed a recent study regarding reported dog bites by breed, and found:

"Pit bulls were responsible for the highest percentage of reported bites across all the studies (22.5%), followed by mixed breeds (21.2%), and German shepherds (17.8%).

Mixed-breed dogs and pit bulls were found to have the highest relative risk of biting, as well as the highest average damage per bite. Breeds such as Great Dane and Akita were found to have a lower relative risk of biting; however, the average damage from these bites was high."

Interestingly, "mixed breed" attacks outnumbered those of Great Danes, German shepherds, or Rottweilers. As for pit bulls, the AAHA study was silent as to why they had engaged in the reported attacks?  Was it because the dog owners trained them to attack?  Or, was it inadequate training? Or insufficient veterinary care? 

Factors Other Than Canine Breed

Breed is not the only factor.  According to one study, 70% of dog bites are from un-neutered (male) dogs regardless of breed.  

 

Dog Bite Insurance: No Excuse for Victims to Suffer Without Compensation 

One thing is certain: Pennsylvania precludes liability insurance companies from charging more money to insure one breed of dog over another. Thus, only through abject stupidity could the owner of a "dangerous breed" in Pennsylvania risk losing his or her assets, in relation to a dog bite claim -- for failing to carry adequate homeowners or renter's insurance for a dog bite.  

Everyone owning a dog should carry liability insurance, regardless of the breed. Period.