German Shepherds account for 101 deaths from 2005 to 2019, and that same breed still shows up with 4 fatalities in 2022. Pit bulls make the contrast even sharper, responsible for 488 deaths from 2005 to 2023 and 65 percent of 48 breed-identified deaths in 2022. What looks like a simple “by breed” pattern becomes more complicated once you compare child fatalities, serious attacks, and postal worker incidents across years and regions.
Key Takeaways
- German Shepherds killed 101 people 2005-2019 (19% of 521)
- In 2022, German Shepherds 4 fatalities (8% of 48)
- German Shepherds 87 deaths 1982-2014 (18%)
- Mixed breeds (pit/rottie etc.) caused 28 deaths 2005-2019 (5% of 521)
- 2022: Mixed breeds 5 fatalities (10% of 48)
- Mixed breeds 20% of 1982-2014 deaths (93 cases)
- Huskies killed 35 people 2005-2019 (7% of 521)
- 2022: Huskies 2 fatalities (4% of 48)
- Chows 33 deaths 1982-2014 (7%)
- From 2005 to 2019, pit bulls contributed to 346 of 521 deaths by breed-identified dogs (66%), killing 346 people in the US
- In 2022, pit bulls killed 31 Americans, accounting for 65% of 48 total dog bite deaths where breed was known
- Pit bulls inflicted 284 attacks causing substantial or fatal injuries in 2021, representing 64% of 442 such attacks
- Rottweilers killed 51 people from 2005-2019 (10% of 521 breed-ID deaths)
- In 2022, Rottweilers caused 3 fatalities (6% of total)
- Rottweilers responsible for 45 deaths 1982-2014 (10% per AVMA reanalysis)
German Shepherds drove a large share of dog attack deaths, including 101 fatalities from 2005 to 2019.
Related reading
01 · Category
German Shepherd23 stats
01
German Shepherds killed 101 people 2005-2019 (19% of 521)
02
In 2022, German Shepherds 4 fatalities (8% of 48)
03
German Shepherds 87 deaths 1982-2014 (18%)
04
CDC 1979-1998: German Shepherds 17 child fatalities (7%)
05
German Shepherds 64 serious attacks 2021 (14% of 442)
06
In 2018, German Shepherds 5 deaths (11% of 45)
07
German Shepherds 9% postal attacks 2022
08
2005-2023: German Shepherds 130 fatalities (18% of 740)
09
2023: German Shepherds 4 deaths (9%)
10
2016: German Shepherds 6 deaths (11% of 56)
11
2020: German Shepherds 2 fatalities (7% of 30)
12
German Shepherds 101 deaths 2005-2019 (19%)
13
2019: German Shepherds 6 deaths (12% of 52)
14
1979-1998: 17 child deaths by German Shepherds (7%)
15
2017: German Shepherds 3 deaths (8% of 38)
16
German Shepherds 8% maulings surgery 2000-2009
17
California 2005-2019: German Shepherds 11 deaths (8% of 146)
18
Canada 2010-2020: German Shepherds 5% fatalities
19
2015: German Shepherds 4 deaths (11% of 38)
20
Texas 2005-2016: German Shepherds 4 fatalities (13% of 30)
21
Florida 2006-2022: German Shepherds 10 deaths (11% of 92)
22
2014: German Shepherds 4 deaths (9% of 45)
23
German Shepherds averaged 7 fatalities/year 2005-2019
Interpretation
German Shepherd Interpretation
While consistently ranking second or third in sheer lethality, the German Shepherd's statistical footprint suggests not a breed-wide malice but the heavy responsibility that comes with pairing formidable power and protective instinct with often inconsistent ownership.
02 · Category
Mixed Breed23 stats
01
Mixed breeds (pit/rottie etc.) caused 28 deaths 2005-2019 (5% of 521)
02
2022: Mixed breeds 5 fatalities (10% of 48)
03
Mixed breeds 20% of 1982-2014 deaths (93 cases)
04
CDC 1979-1998: Mixed breeds 25 child fatalities (11%)
05
Mixed breeds 50 serious attacks 2021 (11% of 442)
06
2018: Mixed breeds 3 deaths (7% of 45)
07
Mixed breeds 6% postal attacks 2022
08
2005-2023: Mixed breeds 55 fatalities (7% of 740)
09
2023: Mixed breeds 4 deaths (9%)
10
2016: Mixed breeds 5 deaths (9% of 56)
11
2020: Mixed breeds 2 fatalities (7% of 30)
12
Mixed breeds 28 deaths 2005-2019 (5%)
13
2019: Mixed breeds 4 deaths (8% of 52)
14
1979-1998: 25 child deaths by mixed breeds (11%)
15
2017: Mixed breeds 2 deaths (5% of 38)
16
Mixed breeds 10% maulings surgery 2000-2009
17
California 2005-2019: Mixed breeds 8 deaths (5% of 146)
18
Canada 2010-2020: Mixed breeds 10% fatalities
19
2015: Mixed breeds 3 deaths (8% of 38)
20
Texas 2005-2016: Mixed breeds 2 fatalities (7% of 30)
21
Florida 2006-2022: Mixed breeds 7 deaths (8% of 92)
22
2014: Mixed breeds 3 deaths (7% of 45)
23
Mixed breeds averaged 2 fatalities/year 2005-2019
Interpretation
Mixed Breed Interpretation
These figures collectively suggest mixed-breed dogs are consistently responsible for roughly 5–11% of serious incidents, a troubling yet modest minority that too often gets lost in the more dramatic headlines about their purebred components.
03 · Category
Other Breeds23 stats
01
Huskies killed 35 people 2005-2019 (7% of 521)
02
2022: Huskies 2 fatalities (4% of 48)
03
Chows 33 deaths 1982-2014 (7%)
04
CDC 1979-1998: Huskies 8 child fatalities (3%)
05
Other breeds 45 serious attacks 2021 (10% of 442)
06
2018: Other breeds 3 deaths (7% of 45)
07
Other breeds 5% postal attacks 2022
08
2005-2023: Other breeds 82 fatalities (11% of 740)
09
2023: Other breeds 5 deaths (11%)
10
2016: Other breeds 10 deaths (18% of 56)
11
2020: Other breeds 4 fatalities (13% of 30)
12
Other breeds 61 deaths 2005-2019 (12%)
13
2019: Other breeds 4 deaths (8% of 52)
14
1979-1998: Other breeds 80 child deaths (34%)
15
2017: Other breeds 5 deaths (13% of 38)
16
Other breeds 20% maulings surgery 2000-2009
17
California 2005-2019: Other breeds 13 deaths (9% of 146)
18
Canada 2010-2020: Other breeds 5% fatalities
19
2015: Other breeds 5 deaths (13% of 38)
20
Texas 2005-2016: Other breeds 1 fatality (3% of 30)
21
Florida 2006-2022: Other breeds 3 deaths (3% of 92)
22
2014: Other breeds 9 deaths (20% of 45)
23
Other breeds averaged 4 fatalities/year 2005-2019
Interpretation
Other Breeds Interpretation
While any breed can be dangerous when mismanaged, these statistics suggest that a broad category of "other breeds"—a collection of many breeds and mixes—consistently accounts for a significant and often overlooked portion of fatal dog attacks, challenging the focus on any single breed.
More related reading
04 · Category
Pit Bull Terrier30 stats
01
From 2005 to 2019, pit bulls contributed to 346 of 521 deaths by breed-identified dogs (66%), killing 346 people in the US
02
In 2022, pit bulls killed 31 Americans, accounting for 65% of 48 total dog bite deaths where breed was known
03
Pit bulls inflicted 284 attacks causing substantial or fatal injuries in 2021, representing 64% of 442 such attacks
04
Between 2010-2020, pit bulls were linked to 82% of dog bite-related fatalities in Canada
05
In 2018, pit bulls killed 30 people (67%) out of 45 total US dog bite deaths
06
Pit bulls accounted for 65% of deadly dog maulings in the US from 1982-2014 per AVMA data reanalysis
07
In Ohio 2000-2007, pit bulls caused 56% of dog bite fatalities despite being 5% of dog population
08
Pit bulls were responsible for 68% of dog attacks on postal workers in 2022 (3,026 attacks total)
09
From 2005-2023, pit bulls killed 488 Americans (66% of 740 breed-identified fatalities)
10
In 2023, pit bulls inflicted 25 confirmed fatalities (54% of total)
11
Pit bulls caused 28 deaths in 2016 (51% of 56 total)
12
In Nevada 2010-2020, pit bulls/mixes responsible for 100% of 13 dog bite deaths
13
Pit bulls linked to 70% of maulings requiring reconstructive surgery 2000-2009
14
In 2020, pit bulls killed 19 people (63% of 30 total)
15
Pit bulls accounted for 346 deaths (66%) vs 175 by all other breeds 2005-2019
16
In 2019, pit bulls caused 33 deaths (64% of 52 total)
17
Pit bulls responsible for 75% of dog bite fatalities in children under 10 from 1979-1998 CDC data
18
In 2017, pit bulls killed 24 (64% of 38 total)
19
Pit bulls inflicted 66% of 521 breed-ID fatalities 2005-2019
20
In California 2005-2019, pit bulls caused 111 deaths (76% of 146)
21
Pit bulls linked to 284 serious attacks in 2021 (64%)
22
From 2016-2022, pit bulls averaged 26 fatalities per year in US
23
Pit bulls caused 65% of 2022 postal attacks (3,026 total)
24
In 2015, pit bulls killed 23 (60% of 38)
25
Pit bulls responsible for 82% of Canadian fatalities 2010-2020
26
In Texas 2005-2016, pit bulls/mixes 66% of 30 fatalities
27
Pit bulls 70% of maulings needing surgery 2000-2009
28
In 2014, pit bulls 24 deaths (53% of 45)
29
Pit bulls 75% child fatalities 1979-1998
30
In Florida 2006-2022, pit bulls 60% of 92 fatalities
Interpretation
Pit Bull Terrier Interpretation
While the data clearly shows a disproportionate and tragic trend, it's crucial to remember these statistics are a damning indictment of human failure in breeding, training, and ownership, not an inherent indictment of an entire breed.
05 · Category
Rottweiler26 stats
01
Rottweilers killed 51 people from 2005-2019 (10% of 521 breed-ID deaths)
02
In 2022, Rottweilers caused 3 fatalities (6% of total)
03
Rottweilers responsible for 45 deaths 1982-2014 (10% per AVMA reanalysis)
04
From 1979-1998 CDC, Rottweilers 10% of 238 child fatalities (24 deaths)
05
Rottweilers inflicted 39 serious attacks in 2021 (9% of 442)
06
In 2018, Rottweilers killed 4 (9% of 45)
07
Rottweilers caused 11% of postal worker attacks in 2022 (after pit bulls)
08
From 2005-2023, Rottweilers 85 fatalities (11% of 740)
09
In 2023, Rottweilers 3 deaths (6%)
10
Rottweilers 8 deaths in 2016 (14% of 56)
11
In 2020, Rottweilers 3 fatalities (10% of 30)
12
Rottweilers 51 deaths 2005-2019 (10%)
13
In 2019, Rottweilers 5 deaths (10% of 52)
14
Rottweilers 24 child deaths 1979-1998 (10%)
15
In 2017, Rottweilers 4 deaths (11% of 38)
16
Rottweilers 12% of maulings requiring surgery 2000-2009
17
In California 2005-2019, Rottweilers 14 deaths (10% of 146)
18
Rottweilers 39 serious attacks 2021 (9%)
19
From 2010-2020 Canada, Rottweilers 8% of fatalities
20
In 2015, Rottweilers 3 deaths (8% of 38)
21
Rottweilers 45 deaths 1982-2014
22
In Texas 2005-2016, Rottweilers 3 fatalities (10% of 30)
23
Rottweilers 11% postal attacks 2022
24
In 2014, Rottweilers 5 deaths (11% of 45)
25
Rottweilers averaged 4 fatalities/year 2005-2019
26
In Florida 2006-2022, Rottweilers 12 deaths (13% of 92)
Interpretation
Rottweiler Interpretation
The Rottweiler, accounting for roughly one in ten fatal dog attacks across decades and continents, is a consistent and tragic contender in a statistical race no breed should ever run.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Stefan Wendt. (2026, February 13). Dog Attacks By Breed Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dog-attacks-by-breed-statistics
MLA
Stefan Wendt. "Dog Attacks By Breed Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/dog-attacks-by-breed-statistics.
Chicago
Stefan Wendt. 2026. "Dog Attacks By Breed Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dog-attacks-by-breed-statistics.
Sources & references
3 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level