You might be one of many dog lovers in Colorado. Nowadays, most people who have dogs consider their pets members of their family. Some family court judges have started allowing pet issues to be litigated as custody matters rather than property division in divorce. The fact that you love dogs doesn’t necessarily mean every dog you encounter is safe to be around.
Some breeds of dogs tend to be much more aggressive than others. Dog owners are responsible for keeping visitors to their home safe and for controlling their pets when they take them to public places. The more you learn about signs of aggression in dogs, the better able to assess a particular situation you might be.
Size is not a specific determining factor of dog aggression
You might encounter a large dog who is gentle and great with people. It’s also possible for a small sized dog to become quite aggressive. The following list includes breeds of dogs that studies show have the greatest likelihood of becoming aggressive:
- Rottweilers
- American Pitbull Terriers
- Wolf-mixed breeds
- German Shepherds
- Bull Mastiffs
- Huskies
- Chow Chows
- Doberman Pinchers
In Colorado and beyond, approximately 35 deaths occur every year because of dog attacks. It’s a good idea to be aware of state and local laws that apply to dog owners. If you encounter one of the breeds of dogs mentioned in this list, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in danger. However, analyses of dog attacks in the U.S. show that these breeds tend to be the most aggressive.
Dog aggression is not just about breed
It’s important to remember that you cannot ever predict what a dog will or won’t do with 100% certainty. Any dog is capable of biting. This is why it’s imperative that dog owners use proper training methods to help reduce the risk that their pets might attack people. Sadly, some people train their dogs to be aggressive on purpose.
If you suffer an injury because of a dog attack, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. In the past, many recovering dog bite victims have wound up in court after filing personal injury claims against people whose negligence was causal factors in specific attacks. There’s no reason you should bear the full financial burden of medical bills and other expenses that may be associated with a dog bite injury if another person is liable for damages.
