Literature Review
March 12, 2015
This peer-reviewed summary has been prepared by the American Veterinary Medical Association Animal Welfare Division. While principally a review of the scientific literature, it may also include information gleaned from proprietary data, legislative and regulatory review, market conditions, and scholarly ethical assessments. It is provided as information and its contents should not be construed as official AVMA policy. Mention of trade names, products, commercial practices or organizations does not imply endorsement by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
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Breeds Implicated in Serious Bite Injuries
In a range of studies, the breeds found to frequently appear in lists of dogs implicated in biting incidents were German Shepherd Dog,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,50 mixed breed,1,4,6,8,10,11,12,19,17,20,50pit bull-type dogs,5,9,13,16,21,20,22,23,24,25,26,27 Rottweiler,15, 18,22,24, 25,28 Jack Russell Terrier,21,25,26 and others (Chow Chow,7,23 Spaniel,14,26 Collie,3,29 Saint Bernard,20 and Labrador Retriever2). If only the cases that resulted in very severe injuries or fatalities20,22 are considered, pit bull-type dogs are more frequently identified. This may relate to the popularity of the breed in the victim’s community, reporting biases, misidentification, and the dog’s treatment by its owner (e.g., use as fighting dogs20). It is worth noting that fatal dog attacks in some areas of Canada are attributed mainly to “sled dogs” and Siberian Huskies,52 presumably due to the regional prevalence of these breeds. See Table 1 for a summary of breed data related to bite injuries.
Controlled Studies
The prevalence of particular dog breeds can also change rapidly over time, often influenced by distinct peaks of popularity for specific breeds. It seems that increased popularity is sometimes followed by increases in bite reports in some large breeds. For example there was a distinct peak in American Kennel Club registration of Rottweilers30 between 1990 and 1995, and they emerged at the top of the list of ‘biting breeds’ for the first time in studies of bites causing hospitalization in the late 1990s and early 2000s.24,25,15,54 While it must be noted that other temporarily popular breeds such as Dalmatians and Irish setters do not seem to make similar appearances, any estimate of breed-based risk must take into account the prevalence of the breed in the population at the time and place of serious biting events.17,31
For example, researchers can compare well-documented bite cases with dogs living in similar (matched control) households. Using this method, one study found that the breeds disproportionately involved in bite injuries requiring medical attention in the Denver area (where pit bull types are not permitted) were the German Shepherd Dog and Chow Chow.60
Other studies use estimates of breed prevalence that do not relate specifically to the households where the bites occurred, such as general community surveys, breed registries, dog license databases or animal shelter populations (See Table 2.). A study in Rome, Italy where molloser dogs like the Mastiff are reputed to be the most dangerous dogs, found they were not disproportionately involved in biting incidents when taking into account their prevalence in the community. 32 These prevalence referenced studies attribute somewhat higher risk to a range of breeds including theGerman Shepherd Dog and crosses56,57,58,59,60, and various other breeds (mixed breed,58,59 Cocker Spaniel,57,61 Chow Chow,60,61 Collie,57 Doberman,56 Lhasa Apso,40,61 Rottweiler,45 Springer Spaniel,39 Shih Tsu,39 and Poodle58).
Aggressive Breeds
Breeds found to be more aggressive toward people based on behavioral assessments and owner surveys includes tend to belong to small- to medium-sized breeds such as the collies, toy breeds and spaniels.33,34,35,36,37 One survey of general veterinary clientele in Canada (specifically practices in New Brunswick, Novia Scotia, and Prince Edward Island) identified Lhasa Apso, Springer Spaniel and Shih Tsu as more likely to bite.39
When dogs of small stature show aggression aggressive their relatively limited strength means they are less likely to inflict serious bite injury except on vulnerable individuals or as part of a group of dogs.38,39 Referrals for aggression problems more closely approximate the breeds implicated in serious bites , possibly because owners are more likely to seek treatment for aggression in dogs that are large enough to do serious damage or pose a significant risk of injury. Larger dogs (regardless of breed) are implicated in more publically reported injuries caused to humans40 and other dogs.41
Certain large breeds are notably under-represented in bite statistics such as large hounds and retrievers (e.g., Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers)31,39—although these breeds may have aggressive subtypes.42 Results relating to German Shepherd Dogs are mixed,32,43 suggesting there unidentified factors are causing variation in outcomes.
Pit Bull types
Owners of dogs that are identified by the community as ‘pit bull type’ may experience a strong breed stigma,44 however controlled studies have not identified this breed group as disproportionately dangerous. The pit bull type is particularly ambiguous as a “breed” encompassing a range of pedigree breeds, informal types and appearances that cannot be reliably identified.45 Visual determination of dog breed is known to be unreliable.46 As discussed witnesses may be predisposed to assume that a dog that bites is a ‘pit bull’.
The incidence of ‘pit bull-type’ dogs’ involvement in severe or fatal attacks may be associated with prevalence of at-risk dogs in neighborhoods with lots of young children. Owners of stigmatized breeds are more likely to have involvement in criminal and/or violent acts47, so apparent ‘breed correlations’ may be due to patterns in owner behavior.
Breed Bans
Most serious dog bite injuries (defined as requiring hospital treatment) in the United States involve victims who are young children,50 un-neutered dogs, and dogs familiar to the victim (belonging to the family, a family friend or neighbor).29,48,49,50Accordingly, responsible ownership and supervision is key to minimizing the risk of dog bites in communities.
Limiting ownership of specific breeds has been suggested by some to reduce injuries(e.g., pit bull type,50 German Shepherd Dog51) however there is no evidence that breed-specific bans reduce the rate or severity of bite injuries the community.8,52,53 Strategies known decrease the number of dog bites include active enforcement of dog control ordinances.54
Conclusion
Dogs who bite can seriously injure or kill people43. It is natural for those affected to seek to address what they perceive to be the immediate cause, and it is easy to blame breed. However as Duffy et al (2008) wrote of their survey based data: “The substantial within-breed variation…suggests that it is inappropriate to make predictions about a given dog’s propensity for aggressive behavior based solely on its breed.”34 Factors relating to the individual animal (eg, training method, sex and neutering status), the target (e.g. owner versus stranger), and the context in which the dog is kept (e.g. urban versus rural) have been shown to be more predictive of dogs bites than has breed. Also the nature of a breed has been shown to vary across time, geographically, and according to breed subtypes such as those raised for conformation showing versus field trials.33
Breed is a poor sole predictor of dog bites. Controlled studies reveal no increased risk for the group blamed most often for dog bites, ‘pit bull-type’ dogs. Accordingly, targeting this breed or any another as a basis for dog bite prevention is unfounded. As stated by the National Animal Control Association: “Dangerous and/or vicious animals should be labeled as such as a result of their actions or behavior and not because of their breed.”
Summary Tables
Table One
Studies of Serious Dog Bite Injury by Breed
Studies of Serious Dog Bite Injury by Breed
Period
|
Data Source
|
N
|
Country
|
Top Two Breeds Identified
|
Ref
|
1971
|
US Dept. Health
|
843
|
United States (VA)
|
mixed breed
German Shepherd Dog
|
1
|
1971-1974
|
Hospital records
|
50
|
South Africa
|
German Shepherd Dog
Labrador Retriever
|
2
|
1973-1976
|
US Dept. Health
|
2618
|
United States (AL)
|
German Shepherd Dog
Collie
|
3
|
1979-1982
|
Health Dept. Severe attacks
|
16
|
United States (SC)
|
pit bull type
Saint Bernard
|
20
|
1981-1983
|
US Reservations
|
772
|
United States
|
mixed breed
unspecified pedigree
|
19
|
1982
|
Hospital Records
|
420
|
Canada
|
German Shepherd
mixed breed
| |
1982-1989
|
Hospital records
|
146
|
United Kingdom
|
pit bull type
Jack Russell Terrier
|
21
|
1987-1988
|
HASS
|
487
|
United Kingdom
|
mixed breed
German Shepherd Dog
|
4
|
1979-1998
|
Fatalities
|
27
|
United States
|
pitt bull type
Rottweiler
|
22
|
1969-2007
|
Fatalities
|
5
|
New Zealand
|
pitt bull type
--
| |
1989
|
Hospital records
|
168
|
United States
|
German Shepherd Dog
pit bull type
|
5
|
1989
|
Hospital records
|
75
|
United Kingdom
|
German Shepherd Dog
mixed breed
|
6
|
1991
|
Animal control records
|
357
|
United States
|
German Shepherd Dog
Chow Chow
|
7
|
1991+1994
|
Hospital records
|
198
|
United Kingdom
|
German Shepherd Dog
mixed breed
|
8
|
1989-1996
|
Hospital records
|
1109
|
United States (CA)
|
pit bull type
German shepherd
|
9
|
1990-2007
|
Fatalities
|
28
|
Canada
|
mixed breed husky
“sled dog”
| |
1995
|
Patients receiving rabies post-exposure
prophylaxis
|
~8000
|
United States (PA)
|
German Shepherd Dog
mixed breed
|
10
|
1991-2000
|
Hospital records
|
654
|
Spain
|
German Shepherd Dog
mixed breed
|
11
|
1996
|
Hospital records
|
1916
|
Australia
|
German Shepherd Dog
Bull Terrier
| |
1995-1997
|
Animal control
|
?
|
United States
|
pit bull type
Chow Chow
|
23
|
1997
|
Hospital records
|
385
|
Canada
|
German Shepherd Dog
Cocker Spaniel
|
11
|
1998-2002
|
Hospital records
|
72
|
Canada
|
Rottweiler
German Shepherd Dog
| |
2002
|
Accident compensation claims
|
535
|
New Zealand
|
Mixed breed
German shepherd dog
|
17
|
1991-2004
|
Hospital records
|
25
|
South Africa
|
pit bull type
German Shepherd Dog
| |
1994-2005
|
Hospital records
|
341
|
Austria
|
mixed breed
German Shepherd Dog
|
12
|
1997-2003
|
Hospital records
|
11
|
United States
|
Rottweiler
German Shepherd Dog
|
15
|
2001-2002
|
ACC claims
|
3020
|
New Zealand
|
German Shepherd Dog
pit bull type
|
13
|
2000-2004
|
Hospital records
|
593
|
United Kingdom
|
Rottweiler
Jack Russell Terrier
|
25
|
2001-2005
|
Hospital records
|
551
|
United States
|
pit bull type
Rottweiler
|
24
|
2002-2005
|
Veterinary referral
|
111
|
United States (PA)
|
Springer Spaniel
German Shepherd Dog
|
14
|
2004-2005
|
Survey based on Dog Bite Line contacts
|
234
|
Ireland
|
Collie
Spaniel
|
26
|
2001-2011
|
Hospital records
|
436
|
United Kingdom
|
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Jack Russell Terrier
|
27
|
2000-2012
|
Hospital records
|
431
|
Switzerland
|
German Shepherd Dog
Rottweiller
|
18
|
2005-2009
|
Hospital records
|
40
|
United States (SC)
|
Pit bull type
Rottweiler
|
26
|
2006-2009
|
Hospital records
|
203
|
United States (PA)
|
Mixed breed
Pit bull type
|
20
|
Table Two
Studies of Serious Dog Bite Injury by Breed taking into Account Breed Prevalence
Period
|
Data Source
|
Prevalence estimate
|
N
|
Country
|
Breeds Identified as Higher Risk
|
Ref
|
1974-1975
|
Animal control
|
Licensed dogs
|
?
|
United States (MD)
|
German Shepherd Dog and shepherd crosses
Doberman Pinscher
| |
1976-1977
|
US Bases
|
Relative risk versus mixed breed
|
529
|
United States (IL, MO)
|
Collie
German Shepherd Dog
Cocker Spaniel
| |
1982
|
Pediatric practice
|
Non-biting pets of other patients
|
194
|
United States (MO)
|
German Shepherd Dog
and shepherd crosses
mixed breed over 30lb
Poodle
| |
1986-1987
|
Health Unit
|
Licensed dogs
|
318
|
Canada
|
German Shepherd Dog
mixed breed
| |
1991
|
Plastic surgery cases
|
Prevalence in community
|
146
|
Australia
|
German Shepherd Dog
|
46
|
1991
|
Animal control
|
Case controls
|
178
|
United States (CO)
|
German Shepherd Dog
Chow Chow
| |
1990-1993
|
Hospital records
|
Survey
|
356
|
Australia
|
Doberman Pinscher
German Shepherd Dog
Rottweiler
|
45
|
1993
|
Shelter animals quarantined for biting
|
General shelter admissions
|
170
|
United States (WI)
|
Chow Chow
Cocker Spaniel
Lhasa Apso
| |
1996
|
Owner self-report (biters)
|
Owner self-report (non-biters)
|
3226
|
Canada
|
Lhasa Apso
Springer Spaniel
Shih Tsu
|
39
|
2003-2004
|
Shelter and Veterinary Hospital records
|
Registered dogs
|
290
|
Italy
|
Shepherd breeds
|
32
|
Reference
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2 Chait LA,Spitz L. Dogbite injuries in children. S Afr Med J 1975;49:718-720.
3 Maetz, M. Animal bites, a public health problem in Jefferson County, Alabama. Public Health Rep 1979;94: 528-534.
4 Levene S. Dog bites to children. BMJ 1991;303:466.
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6 Jarrett P. Which dogs bite? Arch Emerg Med 1991;8:33–35.
7 Patrick GR, O'Rourke KM. Dog and cat bites: epidemiologic analyses suggest different prevention strategies. Public Health Rep 1998;113:252257.
8 Klaassen B, Buckley JR, Esmail A. Does the Dangerous Dogs Act protect against animal attacks: a prospective study of mammalian bites in the accident and emergency department. Injury 1996; 27: 89-91.
9 Meade, P. Police and domestic dog bite injuries: What are the differences? What are the implications about police dog use? Injury Extra 2006;37:395-401.
10 Moore DA, Sischo WM, Hunter A, et al. Animal bite epidemiology and surveillance for rabies postexposure prophylaxis. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217:190–194.
11 Mendez Gallart R, Gomez Tellado M, Somoza Argibay I, Liras Munoz J, Pais Pineiro E, Vela Nieto D. Dog bite related injuries treated in a pediatric surgery department: analysis of 654 cases in 10 years. An Esp Pediatr. 2002;56:425–429.
12 Schalamon J. Analysis of dog bites in children who are younger than 17 years. Pediatrics 2006;117:374–379.
13 Wake AF. The Aetiology of Dog Bites in New Zealand, [MSc thesis], Palmerston North: Massey University, 2005.
14 Reisner, IR. Assessment, management, and prognosis of canine dominated-related aggression. The Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice 1997;27:479–495.
15 Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, et al. Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. J Hand Surg [Am] 2006; 31: 468-473.
16 Ashby K. Dog bites. Victorian Injury Surveillance System. Hazard 1996; 26: 7-13.
17 Wake A, Minot E, Stafford K, Perry P. A survey of adult victims of dog bites in New Zealand. New Zeal Vet J 2009; 57:364-369.
18 Pfortmueller CA, Efeoglou A, Furrer H, Exadaktylos AK. Dog Bite Injuries: Primary and Secondary Emergency Department Presentations—A Retrospective Cohort Study. Sci World J 2013;2013:1-6.
19 Daniels TJ. A study of dog bites on the Navajo reservation. Public Health Rep 1986;101:50-59.
20 Reisner IR, Shofer FS, Nance NL. Behavioral assessment of child-directed canine aggression. Inj Prev 2007;13:348-351.
21 Wright JC. Severe attacks by dogs: characteristics of the dogs, the victims, and the attack settings. Public Health Rep 1985;100:55–61.
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1 Morton C. Dog bites in Norfolk, VA. Health Seru Rep, 1973;88:59-65.
2 Chait LA,Spitz L. Dogbite injuries in children. S Afr Med J 1975;49:718-720.
3 Maetz, M. Animal bites, a public health problem in Jefferson County, Alabama. Public Health Rep 1979;94: 528-534.
4 Levene S. Dog bites to children. BMJ 1991;303:466.
5 Avner JR, Baker MD. Dog bites in urban children. Pediatrics. 1991;88:55-57.
6 Jarrett P. Which dogs bite? Arch Emerg Med 1991;8:33–35.
7 Patrick GR, O'Rourke KM. Dog and cat bites: epidemiologic analyses suggest different prevention strategies. Public Health Rep 1998;113:252257.
8 Klaassen B, Buckley JR, Esmail A. Does the Dangerous Dogs Act protect against animal attacks: a prospective study of mammalian bites in the accident and emergency department. Injury 1996; 27: 89-91.
9 Meade, P. Police and domestic dog bite injuries: What are the differences? What are the implications about police dog use? Injury Extra 2006;37:395-401.
10 Moore DA, Sischo WM, Hunter A, et al. Animal bite epidemiology and surveillance for rabies postexposure prophylaxis. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000;217:190–194.
11 Mendez Gallart R, Gomez Tellado M, Somoza Argibay I, Liras Munoz J, Pais Pineiro E, Vela Nieto D. Dog bite related injuries treated in a pediatric surgery department: analysis of 654 cases in 10 years. An Esp Pediatr. 2002;56:425–429.
12 Schalamon J. Analysis of dog bites in children who are younger than 17 years. Pediatrics 2006;117:374–379.
13 Wake AF. The Aetiology of Dog Bites in New Zealand, [MSc thesis], Palmerston North: Massey University, 2005.
14 Reisner, IR. Assessment, management, and prognosis of canine dominated-related aggression. The Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice 1997;27:479–495.
15 Benson LS, Edwards SL, Schiff AP, et al. Dog and cat bites to the hand: treatment and cost assessment. J Hand Surg [Am] 2006; 31: 468-473.
16 Ashby K. Dog bites. Victorian Injury Surveillance System. Hazard 1996; 26: 7-13.
17 Wake A, Minot E, Stafford K, Perry P. A survey of adult victims of dog bites in New Zealand. New Zeal Vet J 2009; 57:364-369.
18 Pfortmueller CA, Efeoglou A, Furrer H, Exadaktylos AK. Dog Bite Injuries: Primary and Secondary Emergency Department Presentations—A Retrospective Cohort Study. Sci World J 2013;2013:1-6.
19 Daniels TJ. A study of dog bites on the Navajo reservation. Public Health Rep 1986;101:50-59.
20 Reisner IR, Shofer FS, Nance NL. Behavioral assessment of child-directed canine aggression. Inj Prev 2007;13:348-351.
21 Wright JC. Severe attacks by dogs: characteristics of the dogs, the victims, and the attack settings. Public Health Rep 1985;100:55–61.
22 Shewell PC, Nancarrow JD. Dogs that bite. BMJ 1997;303:1512–13.
23 Sacks JJ, Sinclair L, Gilchrist J, Golab GC, Lockwood R. Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the United States between 1979 and 1998. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000; 217: 836–840.
24 Blocker DE. Dog bite rates and biting dog breeds in Texas, 1995-1997. Masters Thesis 2000.
25 Kaye AE, Belz JM, Kirschner RE. Pediatric Dog Bite Injuries: A 5 Year Review of the Experience at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 2009;124:551-558.
26 Horswell BB, Chahine CJ. Dog bites of the face, head and neck in children. West Virg Med J 2010;107:24-27
27 Kasbekar AV, Garfit H, Duncan C, Mehta B, Davies K, Narasimhan G, Donne A. Dog bites to the head and neck in children; an increasing problem in the UK. Clin Otolaryngology 2013;38:259-262.
28 Thompson P. Aggression Effects - From a Human Perspective and Solutions. Urban Animal anagement Conference Proceedings 2004.
29 O'Sullivan E. Characteristics of 234 dog bite incidents in Ireland during 2004 and 2005. Vet Rec 2008;163:37-42.
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