Why Are Some Dog Breeds More Likely to Cause Serious Bite Injuries?

 Posted on March 03, 2022 in Dog Bite Injuries

More Illinois families buy dogs every year, and while most dogs never bite or injure anyone, more dogs mean more dog bites. Every year, approximately 4.5 million dog bites are estimated to occur in the U.S. and around half of these bites happen to children. The vast majority of these bites cause no or very minor injuries and do not need medical treatment. But certain dog breeds are notorious for biting aggressively and, once having bitten, not letting go—which is when the most serious injuries occur. Here are the breeds most commonly responsible for serious and fatal dog bites in the United States. 

Pit Bulls

Despite making up only six percent of the U.S. dog population, pit bulls are responsible for about 65 percent of fatal dog bites. Pit bull attacks in particular cause serious injuries because they tend to bite in more than one location, to attack without provocation, and to attack strangers. While many pit bull advocates say that when a pit bull is properly raised and trained, they can make great family dogs, pit bulls are often bred and purchased by people who intend to use these dogs as guard and attack animals. 

Rottweilers

Like pit bulls, Rottweilers, which are often bred to act as guard dogs, have a powerful bite force of 328 psi (pounds per square inch) that can deliver dangerous injuries in an instant. Rottweilers follow immediately behind pit bulls for most deaths, although they are responsible for only 10 percent of fatal bites.  In general, dogs with shorter, wider heads bite more often and the strength of their jaw muscles and their unwillingness to relinquish after a bite is part of what makes their bites so dangerous. 

German Shepherds

While German shepherds were originally bred to be fearless livestock herders, they are now often used as military, police, and guard dogs. While German shepherds can also make great family dogs, they are very high-energy, aggressive, alert, and have strong protective instincts. Like any dog, a German Shepherd can be easily and accidentally provoked by an unknowing child who pulls its ears or tail. Because Shepherds are very territorial, parents of young children need to keep a close eye on their dogs and never leave them alone with children. 

Other Large Dog Breeds

Huskies, Doberman Pinschers, various bull terriers, mastiffs, and Kangal shepherds are all large dog breeds who do not make the news for biting people often. But while bites are rare in these dogs, they have powerful bites and large mouths, giving them the ability to quickly cause severe physical damage, especially in young children. Kangal shepherds in particular have an astonishingly strong bite force of 735 psi, the strongest of any dog, and while they do not bite often, when they do the results can be severe. 

Talk to an Experienced DuPage County Dog Bite Injury Lawyer

No matter the breed responsible for injuring you or your loved one, the consequences of a dog bite can be serious and long-lasting. For help determining whether you can pursue damages, schedule a free meeting with an experienced Naperville dog bite injuries attorney with Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices. You can call us today at 630-552-6860. 

Source: 

https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2019-06/new-study-identifies-most-damaging-dog-bites-by-breed/