Many dog lovers focus on one particular breed for their pets. Your circumstances can also dictate what kind of dog you adopt. For example, a small apartment might not be the best home for a large breed like a pit bull, so you might keep a smaller dog like a terrier instead.
The five most dangerous breeds
One consideration you can make when adopting a new dog is its breed’s reputation for attacking people. Unfortunately, certain breeds seem to be more aggressive and prone to biting than others. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, the five breeds most often reported to have bitten somebody are:
- Pit bull
- Mixed breed
- German shepherd
- Terrier
- Rotweiller
Some of these breeds are larger and more powerful than others, so their bite attacks are likely to be more severe.
Meanwhile, the five breeds least likely to bite are:
- Dalmatian
- Pointer
- Great Dane
- Pekingese
- Spitz
Despite genetic predispositions among some breeds, there are no banned dog breeds in Connecticut. Injuries from a dog bite attack are not the dog’s legal responsibility. Owners are liable when they negligently allow their animal to injure or kill somebody. For example, if an owner allows their dog to run free on the sidewalk and it attacks a child, the owner’s negligent failure to keep the dog on a leash likely means they are to blame. Unlike some states, dogs in Connecticut don’t get a free “first bite” before their owner can be held liable in a personal injury claim.
A successful dog bite claim can help compensate you for the physical and emotional injuries the animal caused yourself or your child.