Top 10 Worst Dog Breeds

I work in a shelter, and most of the small dogs there are Chihuahuas. There are only a couple of sweet ones there. The rest are very skittish and mean. I've seen them go at people for no reason. They bark non-stop and just aren't smart. They're the hardest dogs for me to handle at the shelter, and I've actually been bitten by several of them.

I feel bad for the breed since I guess people get them thinking they're going to be just this little thing that sits in your purse and doesn't do anything. But oh man, do these dogs require work. Like any dog, you have to train and properly socialize them. However, Chihuahuas aren't smart dogs by nature, so they need to be trained when they're real babies. The Chihuahuas in shelters are often the result of an owner who did not want anything to do with properly training them, so the dog isn't house-trained or friendly.

It's sad, but not surprising, given that the breed is sort of a "pamper" dog. Regardless, I wouldn't recommend the breed at all unless you have the time to diligently train one, as they definitely require a lot of extra time and are infamous for their behavioral issues. Besides, there are much better, cuter dogs out there.

I understand this is an empathetic way of looking at empirical data. However, a logical question arises: if Pit Bulls are not the most likely to be violent, have the strongest jaws, and so forth, then why are they overwhelmingly chosen for dog fighting? This breed was trained to kill and be violent by the same people who created it specifically for that purpose.

People are tired of rationalizations claiming that Pit Bulls won't act according to their nature when triggered. Hunters hunt, shepherds herd, hounds dig, etc. Mathematically, as a percentage of the population, the stereotype might not be supported. However, claiming that Pits aren't genetically predisposed to attack and kill is untrue. This is supported by their primary use for this specific purpose in comparison to their worldwide population.

Consider this: people tend to have dogs that reflect their personalities. This isn't a rule, just a norm. People who are mean or aggressive often choose mean dogs, usually Pits or those in the Pit mix group. Friendly, family-oriented individuals choose Lab breeds based on personality, while hunters opt for hounds, and farmers for working dogs. For instance, police choose shepherds for their genetic disposition to work, be active, and their intelligence. If all dogs were created equal, people wouldn't feel the need to own a pet that makes a statement about who they are. The type of person who owns a Pit Bull often does so to make the point that they will attack if provoked. The same goes for people who buy Dobermans and crop their ears - they want to instill fear.

My issue isn't with the breed itself but with people who defend it as if it were like any other dog. They're not. They were bred specifically to fight and kill. This is their genetic legacy, and it can't be ignored. They have a predisposition to attack and kill. While this behavior might be mitigable, it is never dormant, just as hunting instincts in domestic cats are always... more

The important thing to realize with Rottweilers is that you need to train them young. We've had Rottweilers at work who are just the sweetest things. One likes to lay her head on my lap to demand pets, and she and her brother are baby-faced little angels who would cuddle you for hours, and I love them. However, when we do get an aggressive one, it's incredibly dangerous because they're so big. And no, it's not about them growing up in a crappy environment. It's just about socialization and training.

We have one regular, Rocco, who we've known since he was a puppy. The owner is nice but an idiot, and didn't train him as a puppy. Now, Rocco is three years old and can be sweet sometimes, but then he's snarling and aggressive at completely random moments. He is the most dog-aggressive dog we've ever had. He has to be walked with a muzzle on and with a can of dog pepper spray in hand, just in case. The owner is trying to train him now, but it's hard to train Rottweilers once they're older.

If you're going to get such a huge and muscular dog who is capable of causing a lot of damage, it is your responsibility to train them effectively. If you don't have the know-how, and aren't a commanding person they will listen to, don't get this dog. You're doing the dog a disservice, and you're putting people and dogs around you at risk. This is true of any large, muscular dog breed. Be a responsible owner, or find that dog a better home. Because if they ever hurt someone, it'll be your fault.

At work, chows are some of the meanest dogs we encounter. They're even worse in grooming, where basically all the groomers agree they're universally dreaded. We just had a chow in last weekend who had to wear a muzzle, and it still took three groomers to handle it.

They can be very cute, but they're often incredibly aggressive and awful. For some reason, people rarely bother to train them, or maybe they just don't successfully train them. I think we've had only one good chow, and she lived in a house with a small dog and was clearly well-trained and socialized.

We have a couple of Canary Mastiffs who stay with us - one is a sweetheart who will let you literally nap on her, and the other is so aggressive that none of us will go near it without a large male tech helping us. They have the same owner too, so I don't think it comes down to only training. I think it's partly just personality too.

People only buy Presa Canarios because they're good "guard dogs." However, they often don't bother training them in basic things and just go straight to the more difficult tasks. As a result, they're awfully behaved and must be kept on leashes at all times.

We had a Doberman, and it was very cute when young. Then, when she got older, she would non-stop smell people's groins.

Then one day, when the gas inspector came to measure the line, she went off sniffing and then bit down hard and would not let go of his pubic area. It was horrible, absolutely horrible.

Yes, they are smart, loyal, and lovable, but make sure you get one from a good line, or they may be too much to handle.

I had two Dobermans attack me when I was a kid, and the owner didn't do anything to stop them. That experience was pretty traumatic for me, so I haven't really dealt with them since then.

I wouldn't write off the entire breed. I'm sure they can be great with the right owner. But personally, I can't bring myself to own one or interact with them.

I live in base housing, where 90% of everyone owns a German Shepherd, Malamute, or Husky. I haven't met a single person yet - with a few exceptions for the German Shepherds - that hasn't regretted getting these dog breeds. Malamutes and Huskies are not good house pets.

Having a big yard isn't the answer either. You need to have a profession that involves spending time with them and working them hard in order to get them to behave somewhat docile.

Alaskan Malamutes are nice dogs, but many of them have a tendency to hunt and kill smaller animals, which means your cats and toy breed canines are at risk.

Honestly, like any dog, Dalmatians have their limits. They aren't bad dogs. They can be very good dogs based on how they are treated, cared for, and properly trained.

As with any dog, you should socialize them as puppies. Dalmatians can make great companions for the right people. If you can't handle a dog with a high energy level, don't get one. They were originally bred to run alongside carriages to ward off bandits and predators during travel. Their protective and guarding instincts are often the cause of potential aggression and biting.

So again, if you can't handle this dog, don't get it.

I don't know much about Afghans, but they are pretty stubborn yet smart. They come in beautiful colors. They may be high-maintenance, but they are very beautiful dogs. With the proper care, they can be great pets.

They might be good dogs at heart. I don't know anything about them, so I can't judge. I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but the way they look just creeps me out.

I don't like Afghan Hounds at all. They're extremely hard to train and can easily bite you, unlike Chihuahuas. In my opinion, they should be ranked #1 on this list!

I agree with people saying these are funny, but this is not cute. Shark-headed, elongated face, tiny-eyed mess of a dog.

Dumb, ugly, egg-headed dogs with no brain other than to threaten stronger dogs.

I don't hate them, but their temperaments seem to be very unpredictable. Some are very friendly and calm, while others are very irritable and snappy.

It's hard to believe that they're from the same family of dogs (Chinese toy breeds) as Pugs, since I've never met an unpleasant Pug. However, Shih Tzus are sometimes very "mean and nasty," like my grandma's dog.

I can't stand them. Almost all the Shih Tzus we get at work are aggressive biters, who are never trained because people, for some reason, think they don't need to train small dogs, and they never shut up for a single second.

I'm sure if you trained the dog, they could be good. Honestly, most of the time, a bad dog just means they have a lazy owner.

We get a lot of Boxers at work. I don't usually have much of an issue with them. The only real problem is that they don't tend to realize how big they are, which can sometimes lead to accidental injury. Also, they're usually not very bright. But still, they're generally pretty sweet.

Every Boxer I've come across has been extremely annoying, and they never seem to learn anything. They slobber all over the place and are uglier than snot.

I feel bad for them and their hideous snouts.

I have a Boxer, and she is the sweetest thing ever, but I do have to say my Boxer is really stupid most of the time. So I don't know if that's just my dog, or if others have the same kind of situation.

To be honest, I really don't like the look of these dogs.

Komondors are so darn ugly when I look at them. My heart falls down to my feet and then explodes.

I imagine this dog in a nightmare chasing you down. This is the type of dog people say "he won't bite," but then it chomps your fingers.

Along with the Pug, these are one of the worst dogs ever!

A big dog you do not want to be around when it's snarling!

I have a phobia of poodles. They're so mean and bite. I have childhood trauma thanks to poodles. I remember being around 4 or 5 years old, and my aunt's poodle would scare me so much that I'd be afraid to get off the couch.

To this day, whenever I go bike riding, poodles in the neighborhood chase me while I'm on my bike. I pedal as fast as I can to get away. I look back and see them chasing me and trying to bite my feet while I'm pedaling. It's super scary.

They also bark so much. I get panic attacks when I see pictures of poodles, and it's not just poodles either. Maltese and Yorkies scare me too. They all have similar characteristics. I'm still trying to heal and resolve my childhood trauma.

I read most of the comments, particularly the negative ones, and I came to a conclusion. I own a pug too, and I don't think it is animal cruelty whatsoever. You can't really shape the way your dog will come out, plus, everyone has preferences and came here to justify themselves. My pug does not disturb me and my studies, since I am mostly busy with school projects. I come home and play with him and train him. The first time I tried to train him into food waiting, it took him 10 tries, but then he was good. One week later, he was mastering it.

Yes, pugs have major health problems, but it also depends on the owner. The owner has to take good care of their conditions as they can be avoided (never say it is impossible) with proper hygiene and cooling it down. So, if you want to get a pug, accept that you are going to need good conditions before you get one.

It looks pretty big and mean, but don't judge it by its looks. It can't help that.

Huh? I've never seen one, but from what I've heard, they aren't very good.

These people aren't lying. It should be a law that these things come with a "Buyer beware" sign around their necks. Listen when people say these dogs stink. You must bathe them every week. The Catch-22 here is that if you give them a bath more than once every two or three weeks, their skin dries out and they start to scratch and lick themselves.

Their hair doesn't dry either, so before you know it, you've got a smelly, wet dog covered in slobber that needs a bath again. Good luck.

These dogs are ugly as sin and are one of the most high-maintenance breeds. They also stink to high heaven. My friend's wife got one as a puppy because she thought it was cute then... Big mistake.

They literally cannot find anyone who will take it off their hands. Unless you have lots of spare time and money to burn on one of these ugly rats, don't get one.

Everybody has their different opinions on Yorkshire Terriers, but I have to say, Yorkshires are probably my least favorite dog breed. A couple of months ago, when a friend of mine hosted a Halloween party, they allowed me to feed their Yorkshire, Lola. It was going fine until she suddenly snapped at me and started growling.

I could have lost a finger from that experience! Plus, I didn't even do anything to deserve that. For those of you who are thinking of buying a Yorkshire Terrier, I'm warning you that they usually aren't good with kids.

I have a Dachshund myself, and they can be sweet, but they can also be crazy mean. They are terrible with other people if they weren't raised around many others.

And don't even think about letting little children near them. They are very sweet to you if you are sweet to them, but they will bite anyone who walks through your door. If you are considering a Dachshund as a pet but have never had a dog before, I would not recommend this breed.

I've never come across a smart or exciting Dachshund. My mom has had many throughout my life, from various previous owners too, but they've all acted the same. They never come on command, never seem capable of learning, and bark until the sun goes down. In my opinion, it's a horrible breed and quite unattractive.

Anybody who supports the continued breeding of bulldogs is either completely uninformed or just awful. We've messed up this poor breed so badly, it shouldn't exist as a purebred anymore. If you MUST get a bulldog, get a mixed one from a breeder who's trying to introduce new blood into this incredibly inbred breed. Nobody should even be ALLOWED to continue breeding pure English bulldogs. It should be considered animal cruelty at this point.

When you've bred a dog to the point where they're so disfigured that the mothers can't even give birth on their own anymore, and where they have so many health issues, it's inexcusable to continue trying to keep them "pure". Disgusting, what we've done to them.

My Akita is extremely friendly with children, but she hates most black people and Mexicans. She also just acts like a giant stubborn toddler. She refuses to move off the neighbor's lawn when their dog is out.

I'm surprised that this is 30 on the list. They are stubborn, annoying, and extremely jealous around other dogs. Akitas are sweet and cute, though...

Yep, probably the worst breed we've ever had. A neighbor bred them and gave us one as a gift. The parents were both aggressive little dogs that hated other dogs.

The puppy they gave us, at about 12 weeks old (pretty much straight after getting him), latched onto my little sister's bottom lip when she petted his stomach and must have woken him. The bite, even from a puppy, was quite bad and required stitches. My parents quickly gave the dog back to the neighbors.

We've had Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Blue cattle dogs, and even bits from pig hunting dog litters, and none of these breeds was as aggressive as the Basenjis we've seen. This is an African hunting dog and isn't good with people.

My parents have a French Bulldog named Lucy, and I do not seem to get along with her that much. Here are some reasons why:

1. She's a bully toward my Shih Tzu, Peaches.

2. She barks at me whenever I wake up every morning and whenever I go into the bathroom and shut the door.

3. Other people can show her affection when they want to, but I'm not doing it myself.

4. Her barking is too loud. It makes me sad, depressed, and even angry. (I'm sorry, everyone. I just wanted to share my point of view.)

5. She sometimes goes into my room, and I have tried to kick her out a few times.

I apologize if I offended anyone, but this is just too much for me.