GITNUXREPORT 2025

Dog Attack Breed Statistics

High-risk dog breeds like Pit Bulls and Rottweilers predominate in attack fatalities and injuries.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 80% of fatal dog attacks involve male dogs

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The majority of dog attack victims are children under 14 years old, with children representing about 60% of bite victims

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In the United States, the annual rate of dog bite-related injuries requiring emergency room visits is approximately 4.5 per 1,000 people

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In the U.S., school-aged children are 3 times more likely to be bitten by a dog than adults, often involving mainstream breeds like Labrador Retrievers and Beagles

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The median owner age of dogs involved in severe attacks is 35 years old, tending to be the owners of high-risk breeds

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Gender data shows male dogs are involved in over 70% of reported attacks, which correlates with higher levels of territorial behavior

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Cane Corso ownership has surged by 20% in the last five years, correlating with a slight increase in reported attacks

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In California, Pit Bulls are involved in roughly 75% of deadly dog attacks

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Approximately 35% of dog attack injuries in New Zealand involve Rottweilers and Pit Bulls, with other breeds contributing less significantly

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Among news reports of dog attacks over a decade, two-thirds involved pit bull-type dogs

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Pit Bulls accounted for approximately 65% of all dog bite fatalities in the U.S. between 2005-2019

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Rottweilers are responsible for about 25% of fatal dog attacks in the United States from 2000 to 2019

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German Shepherds are involved in approximately 18% of all reported dog attacks in North America

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Pit Bulls are reported to have caused 45% of serious injuries from dog attacks in the UK

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Labrador Retrievers are involved in less than 5% of dog bite incidents in the U.S.

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From 2000-2018, Bullmastiffs were involved in less than 0.1% of recorded dog attacks in the U.S.

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Akitas are responsible for roughly 10% of dog bite-related hospitalizations in the U.S.

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Chihuahuas are involved in about 3% of reported dog bite incidents in the U.S.

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Staffordshire Bull Terriers are responsible for around 8% of serious dog attacks in the UK

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Cane Corsos have been linked to less than 1% of dog attacks reported nationally

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The prevalence of dog bites resulting in hospitalization is highest among Rottweilers and Pit Bulls, accounting for over 70% of hospitalizations in the U.S.

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The median age of dogs involved in fatal attacks is approximately 4 years old, with Pit Bulls being most common among these cases

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Over 20% of dog attacks involving Mastiffs result in hospitalization, placing them among higher-risk breeds

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Belgian Malinois are involved in less than 2% of reported dog attacks in the U.S., despite their increased popularity as working dogs

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The likelihood of a dog bite involving a breed classified as high-risk is 2.5 times higher than with low-risk breeds

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The rate of dog bite injuries in urban homes where Pit Bulls are kept is nearly twice that of homes with other breeds

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In Canada, the breed most associated with fatal attacks is the Pit Bull, responsible for over 40% of such fatalities

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In Australia, the incidence of dog attacks involving the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has increased by 15% over the past three years

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In the Netherlands, the breed most associated with dog bites is the German Shepherd, responsible for 23% of reported incidents

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The percentage of dog attack injuries caused by small breeds like Pugs is less than 1% in the U.S., but in some urban areas, smaller breeds are involved in up to 10% of bites among children

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Studies show that breed alone does not fully determine aggression; environment and training play crucial roles, yet breeds like Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are statistically overrepresented in attack reports

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The risk of a dog bite leads to roughly $700 million annually in medical costs in the U.S., with high-risk breeds accounting for most of these costs

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Data indicates that stray dogs involved in bites are more likely to be of breeds like Pit Bulls and mixed breeds, compared to owned dogs

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The incidence rate of bites from imported or exotic breeds like Boerboels and Boerlines has risen 12% over the past five years, though they remain less common

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According to insurance claims data, dog bites involving Pit Bulls tend to result in higher payout costs, averaging around $25,000 per incident

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In 2020, dog bite incidents increased by approximately 8% compared to 2019, with high-risk breeds like Pit Bulls contributing significantly to this rise

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The majority of fatal dog attacks in the last decade involved breeds such as Pit Bull, Rottweiler, and German Shepherd, collectively responsible for over 85% of deaths

Statistic 38

Data from Zurich suggests that the ownership of high-risk breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers has increased by 10%, with a corresponding rise in bite reports

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The percentage of dog attacks resulting in emergency hospitalization is highest among breeds such as Rottweilers and American Bulldogs, with hospitalization rates over 25%

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Approximately 30% of dog attacks on children involve breeds classified as high-risk, especially Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds

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In the U.S., the most recorded dog attack fatalities are caused by non-neutered male dogs of aggressive breeds, with over 90% of attacks involving such animals

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The incidence of dog attacks involving breeds like the Presa Canario has increased slightly over recent years but remains relatively rare due to low population numbers

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A common factor in severe dog attacks is whether the dog has a history of previous aggressive behavior, which is more prevalent in high-risk breeds

Statistic 44

Data shows that in U.S. cities implementing strict breed-specific laws, there has been a 20% reduction in dog attacks involving targeted breeds, but not necessarily in other breeds

Statistic 45

Research indicates that the majority of dog attacks occur at close range, typically within 3 feet, and high-risk breeds are more likely to attack unexpectedly

Statistic 46

The majority of reported dog attacks involve male dogs and are often linked to territorial or guarding behaviors, especially in breeds like Rottweiler and German Shepherd

Statistic 47

Breeds like Dachshunds and Jack Russell Terriers are responsible for less than 1% of bites nationally, but in urban settings, small breeds constitute up to 15% of bites among children

Statistic 48

The incidence of dog bites in urban areas is approximately 1.2 per 1,000 residents annually

Statistic 49

Reports indicate that breed-specific legislation has differing outcomes; in some areas, attacks decrease, but in others, there is no significant change or increase, suggesting environmental factors are also important

Statistic 50

In countries with breed bans, reports show a decline in overall dog attacks but sometimes a rise in bites from unlisted breeds, indicating possible displacement or breed-switching

Statistic 51

The average duration of a dog attack incident involving a high-risk breed is approximately 3 minutes, according to emergency response reports

Statistic 52

Studies show that the presence of a dog’s protective or guarding instincts, often stronger in breeds like Dobermans and Belgian Malinois, increases the severity of attacks, though these breeds account for a minority of bite reports

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Key Highlights

Pit Bulls accounted for approximately 65% of all dog bite fatalities in the U.S. between 2005-2019
Rottweilers are responsible for about 25% of fatal dog attacks in the United States from 2000 to 2019
German Shepherds are involved in approximately 18% of all reported dog attacks in North America
Pit Bulls are reported to have caused 45% of serious injuries from dog attacks in the UK
Labrador Retrievers are involved in less than 5% of dog bite incidents in the U.S.
From 2000-2018, Bullmastiffs were involved in less than 0.1% of recorded dog attacks in the U.S.
Approximately 80% of fatal dog attacks involve male dogs
The majority of dog attack victims are children under 14 years old, with children representing about 60% of bite victims
Akitas are responsible for roughly 10% of dog bite-related hospitalizations in the U.S.
The incidence of dog bites in urban areas is approximately 1.2 per 1,000 residents annually
Chihuahuas are involved in about 3% of reported dog bite incidents in the U.S.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are responsible for around 8% of serious dog attacks in the UK
In the United States, the annual rate of dog bite-related injuries requiring emergency room visits is approximately 4.5 per 1,000 people

When it comes to canine dangers, certain breeds like Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds dominate the statistics, accounting for the majority of fatal attacks and serious injuries across the United States and beyond.

Demographics and Victim Profiles

Approximately 80% of fatal dog attacks involve male dogs
The majority of dog attack victims are children under 14 years old, with children representing about 60% of bite victims
In the United States, the annual rate of dog bite-related injuries requiring emergency room visits is approximately 4.5 per 1,000 people
In the U.S., school-aged children are 3 times more likely to be bitten by a dog than adults, often involving mainstream breeds like Labrador Retrievers and Beagles
The median owner age of dogs involved in severe attacks is 35 years old, tending to be the owners of high-risk breeds
Gender data shows male dogs are involved in over 70% of reported attacks, which correlates with higher levels of territorial behavior

Demographics and Victim Profiles Interpretation

While male dogs and their owners in their mid-thirties dominate the battlegrounds of canine aggression, the most tragic victims remain innocent children under 14, highlighting the urgent need for responsible ownership and targeted prevention efforts amidst a landscape where familiar breeds and youthful curiosity converge deadly.

Dog Breed Involvement in Attacks

Cane Corso ownership has surged by 20% in the last five years, correlating with a slight increase in reported attacks
In California, Pit Bulls are involved in roughly 75% of deadly dog attacks
Approximately 35% of dog attack injuries in New Zealand involve Rottweilers and Pit Bulls, with other breeds contributing less significantly
Among news reports of dog attacks over a decade, two-thirds involved pit bull-type dogs

Dog Breed Involvement in Attacks Interpretation

As ownership of formidable breeds like Cane Corsos skyrockets, man’s best friend seems increasingly to be a formidable foe, with statistics indicating that pit bulls and Rottweilers remain the most notorious players in the tragic game of dog attacks worldwide.

Dog Breed Involvement in Attacks and Incidents

Pit Bulls accounted for approximately 65% of all dog bite fatalities in the U.S. between 2005-2019
Rottweilers are responsible for about 25% of fatal dog attacks in the United States from 2000 to 2019
German Shepherds are involved in approximately 18% of all reported dog attacks in North America
Pit Bulls are reported to have caused 45% of serious injuries from dog attacks in the UK
Labrador Retrievers are involved in less than 5% of dog bite incidents in the U.S.
From 2000-2018, Bullmastiffs were involved in less than 0.1% of recorded dog attacks in the U.S.
Akitas are responsible for roughly 10% of dog bite-related hospitalizations in the U.S.
Chihuahuas are involved in about 3% of reported dog bite incidents in the U.S.
Staffordshire Bull Terriers are responsible for around 8% of serious dog attacks in the UK
Cane Corsos have been linked to less than 1% of dog attacks reported nationally
The prevalence of dog bites resulting in hospitalization is highest among Rottweilers and Pit Bulls, accounting for over 70% of hospitalizations in the U.S.
The median age of dogs involved in fatal attacks is approximately 4 years old, with Pit Bulls being most common among these cases
Over 20% of dog attacks involving Mastiffs result in hospitalization, placing them among higher-risk breeds
Belgian Malinois are involved in less than 2% of reported dog attacks in the U.S., despite their increased popularity as working dogs
The likelihood of a dog bite involving a breed classified as high-risk is 2.5 times higher than with low-risk breeds
The rate of dog bite injuries in urban homes where Pit Bulls are kept is nearly twice that of homes with other breeds
In Canada, the breed most associated with fatal attacks is the Pit Bull, responsible for over 40% of such fatalities
In Australia, the incidence of dog attacks involving the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has increased by 15% over the past three years
In the Netherlands, the breed most associated with dog bites is the German Shepherd, responsible for 23% of reported incidents
The percentage of dog attack injuries caused by small breeds like Pugs is less than 1% in the U.S., but in some urban areas, smaller breeds are involved in up to 10% of bites among children
Studies show that breed alone does not fully determine aggression; environment and training play crucial roles, yet breeds like Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are statistically overrepresented in attack reports
The risk of a dog bite leads to roughly $700 million annually in medical costs in the U.S., with high-risk breeds accounting for most of these costs
Data indicates that stray dogs involved in bites are more likely to be of breeds like Pit Bulls and mixed breeds, compared to owned dogs
The incidence rate of bites from imported or exotic breeds like Boerboels and Boerlines has risen 12% over the past five years, though they remain less common
According to insurance claims data, dog bites involving Pit Bulls tend to result in higher payout costs, averaging around $25,000 per incident
In 2020, dog bite incidents increased by approximately 8% compared to 2019, with high-risk breeds like Pit Bulls contributing significantly to this rise
The majority of fatal dog attacks in the last decade involved breeds such as Pit Bull, Rottweiler, and German Shepherd, collectively responsible for over 85% of deaths
Data from Zurich suggests that the ownership of high-risk breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers has increased by 10%, with a corresponding rise in bite reports
The percentage of dog attacks resulting in emergency hospitalization is highest among breeds such as Rottweilers and American Bulldogs, with hospitalization rates over 25%
Approximately 30% of dog attacks on children involve breeds classified as high-risk, especially Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds
In the U.S., the most recorded dog attack fatalities are caused by non-neutered male dogs of aggressive breeds, with over 90% of attacks involving such animals
The incidence of dog attacks involving breeds like the Presa Canario has increased slightly over recent years but remains relatively rare due to low population numbers
A common factor in severe dog attacks is whether the dog has a history of previous aggressive behavior, which is more prevalent in high-risk breeds
Data shows that in U.S. cities implementing strict breed-specific laws, there has been a 20% reduction in dog attacks involving targeted breeds, but not necessarily in other breeds
Research indicates that the majority of dog attacks occur at close range, typically within 3 feet, and high-risk breeds are more likely to attack unexpectedly
The majority of reported dog attacks involve male dogs and are often linked to territorial or guarding behaviors, especially in breeds like Rottweiler and German Shepherd
Breeds like Dachshunds and Jack Russell Terriers are responsible for less than 1% of bites nationally, but in urban settings, small breeds constitute up to 15% of bites among children

Dog Breed Involvement in Attacks and Incidents Interpretation

While breed statistics reveal that Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are responsible for the lion’s share of dog bite fatalities and serious injuries in North America and abroad, the nuanced reality reminds us that environment, training, and individual dog behavior often outshine breed stereotypes in determining bites—yet, until then, it seems some breeds are more "bite-worthy" headlines than others.

Geographical and Regional Data

The incidence of dog bites in urban areas is approximately 1.2 per 1,000 residents annually

Geographical and Regional Data Interpretation

While the average urban resident encounters roughly 1.2 dog bites per 1,000 people each year, it's a stark reminder that even in crowded city streets, a friendly pup's bite can become a serious headline.

Legislation, Policy, and Trends

Reports indicate that breed-specific legislation has differing outcomes; in some areas, attacks decrease, but in others, there is no significant change or increase, suggesting environmental factors are also important
In countries with breed bans, reports show a decline in overall dog attacks but sometimes a rise in bites from unlisted breeds, indicating possible displacement or breed-switching

Legislation, Policy, and Trends Interpretation

While breed-specific legislation can temporarily curb certain attacks, the shifting landscape of unlisted breeds and environmental factors remind us that managing dog safety requires more than just banning a few breeds—it demands a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of aggression.

Seriousness and Impact of Dog Attacks

The average duration of a dog attack incident involving a high-risk breed is approximately 3 minutes, according to emergency response reports
Studies show that the presence of a dog’s protective or guarding instincts, often stronger in breeds like Dobermans and Belgian Malinois, increases the severity of attacks, though these breeds account for a minority of bite reports

Seriousness and Impact of Dog Attacks Interpretation

While high-risk breeds like Dobermans and Belgian Malinois tend to attack with fierce guarding instincts, their shorter attack durations and minority report status suggest that many bite incidents are more about human oversight than breed reputation.