The AKC currently recognizes 192 dog breeds, and some of them aren’t the most family friendly. There are certain breeds that came about from fighting pits and bloodsports, but most breeds are aggressive in nature due to their job of hunting.
Some require experienced owners, and possibly some outside help from a professional trainer. Owning many of these breeds is hard work, but the reward of strong loyalty is something these amazing breeds have to offer.
Rottweiler
Between 1993 and 1996 rottweilers were the cause of half of all the dog related deaths in the United States. This breed is very loyal and becomes very attached to its family, but can be very aggressive toward strangers.
Doberman
Doberman’s share the same color pattern as the rottweiler and have similar temperaments. They require an experienced owner or it’s suggested to invest in an experienced trainer.
German Shepherd
The German Shepherd breed should be loyal, courageous, confident, and has the ability to learn to tasks with ease, but this doesn’t mean the breed doesn’t have the ability to show aggression.
Great Dane
This gentle giant can stand as tall as 32 inches at the shoulder and are mostly known for their Harlequin patchwork coat. They may seem sweet, but they are great guard dogs.
Fila Brasileiro
The Fila Brasileiro, or Brazilian Mastiff, is a large aggressive working dog. They are known for their amazing tracking abilities, and very unforgiving temperament.
Bull Terrier
This breed sticks out like a sore thumb with is bulbous egg shaped head. The bull terrier is big boned, muscular and moves with confidence. It is said that these are the ultimate personality dog.
Dalmatian
Because of the Disney movie, there aren’t many people that aren’t familiar with this breed. The breed was originally bred to guard horses and stagecoaches, so naturally it would have to be a protective dog.
Malamute
This breed looks very similar to a husky, but they are larger. They are heavy boned and have a thick waterproof coat, making them perfect for their job of being arctic sled dogs.
Husky
This dog is known for its coat and sometimes different colored eyes. They require lots of exercise, and like the Malamute, are pack animals so training is a must.
Caucasian Ovcharka
This is a serious guarding breed that shouldn’t be messed with. They normally grow to 170 lbs. They have been used to protect property and livestock from wolves and other predators.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
This is an all purpose hound with a distinctive stripe down its back. The stripe is actually hair that is growing the opposite way giving it the ridge.
Bullmastiff
These guys are quite the large breed regularly weighing 130lbs. The bullmastiff is an intelligent breed and make great family companions and guard dogs.
Cane Corso
The Cane Corso or Italian Mastiff, is one of the two mastiffs to come from Italy, the other being the neapolitan.
Dogo Argentino
This large, strong, muscular breed was developed to chase down large game so it’s important for them to be strong, agile, and have a large lung capacity.
Japanese Tosa
This large confident breed has been used for dog fighting since its creation, and in Japan fighting Tosas is still a normal practice. In the west, these animal aggressive dogs are just for companionship and protection.
Akita
This large breed has erect ears that show alertness. This thick-coated dog is very wary of strangers and usually is not tolerant of other animals.
St. Bernard
Males of this breed are larger than the females, standing 27-inches at the shoulder. They were originally used to help locate stranded alpine travelers.
Basenji
The Basenji is sometimes called Africa’s bark-less dog. These guys make great hunters. They are known to be very cat-like in nature.
American Bulldog
This utility dog was a descendant of the Old English Bulldog. They are much taller than their English Bulldog cousin, and were used by farmers to drive and catch cattle and hogs.
Bandogge
This breed is a mix between a Pitbull and a Mastiff. A loyal family dog that will be protective and aggressive towards strangers and other animals.
Wolf Hybrids
Wolf Hybrids are the combination between Huskies or Malamutes and feral wolves. They are illegal to own in some areas and for good reason.
Chow Chow
These dogs stand about 20 inches at the shoulder when full grown. They don’t produce much of an odor, and they housebreak easy. They are a breed that gets very attached to their owners, but can be aloof with strangers.
Presa Canario
This Breed is a moderately large size molosser with a boxy head and a black mask. This is a very confident breed that is wary of strangers but extremely loyal to their family.
Gull Dong
The Gull Dong is a breed that started in colonial India and was a cross between the Gull Terrier and the Bully Kutta. It is known for its speed and tenacity.
Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff also known as the Drog-Khyi, which means “nomad dog,” reflects its use to guard large herds of farm animals.
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
This breed is relatively short but don’t judge it by its size. These pups ruled England’s fighting pits back in the day.
Pharaoh Hound
About 3,000 years ago it was written “His face glows like a god” by an admirer. This sleek, aerodynamic hound has been bred for high-speed pursuit on rocky terrain.
Czechoslovakian Vlcak
This breed can trace its origins back to working for border patrol in Czechoslovakia in the 1950s. They are still used in the United States for search and rescue.
Neapolitan Mastiff
This large breed is fearless and extremely protective of its home and family. They tend to not bark or make much noise until it is necessary.
The Moscow Watchdog
This breed’s origin goes back to the Soviet Union. It is a cross between the St. Bernard, Caucasian Shepherd, and Russian Spotted Hound breeds.
Newfoundland
Due to this breed’s thick double coat, muscularity, and webbed feet these dogs are excellent for swimming and rescue.
Dogue De Bordeaux
This breed has been around for a long time. This is one of the larger breeds in existence, and proportionately it has the largest head on average of all breeds.
Bully Kutta
Also known as the Pakistani Mastiff, this breed has been used for hunting and as a guard dog. Its name translates into heavily wrinkled dog.
Russian Black Terrier
These dogs were bred in the later 1940’s to early 1950’s to be used as military working dogs. Now they are used for working, guarding, sporting and as a companion dog.
Pit Bull
The name “pit bull” brings fear to a lot of people, and for good reason. This breed has been used for dog fighting for years. The terrier breed in them makes them prone to animal aggressiveness.
Shar Pei
This breed is known for its wrinkles and its distinctive black tongue. Every Shar Pei needs to be socialized early with children, strangers, and other animals.
Bedlington Terrier
It doesn’t seem like this dog should be in a dangerous dog list but its description is a “versatile dog being good with children and fit to kill any other dog of his weight.”
Korean Jindo
This is the national breed of Korea and is described as a double coated spitz type dog. There is a big difference between the male and female appearance.
American Bully
This breed originated due to the overwhelming amount of pit bull breeders combining other dog breeds with pit bulls to make them larger and more stocky.
Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog, but that doesn’t mean it is just cute and cuddly. Due to bad breeding many Chihuahuas have dominant aggressive personalities.