This page maps how dog breed attack risk shifts across the United States—from reported bite frequency to ER-treated injuries and fatalities. You’ll see how severity differs by breed, and how geography changes exposure, including standout state and city trends like Texas, California, and New York. We also connect recent year-to-year movement (2015–2023) with long-run patterns (2000–2023), then translate breed rankings into practical takeaways about who is most affected.
Key Takeaways
- Pit Bulls top breed in US dog bite claims at 22.5% of incidents 2015-2020
- Rottweilers rank #2 in fatal attacks per capita among large breeds 2005-2023
- German Shepherds #3 in overall attack frequency per DogsBite.org data
- In 2023, Pit Bulls were responsible for 28 out of 59 dog bite fatalities in the US, representing 47% of total deaths
- Rottweilers caused 4 fatalities in 2023 dog attacks in the US, accounting for 7% of total fatal incidents
- From 2005-2023, Pit Bulls inflicted 419 fatalities in the US, comprising 66% of all dog bite deaths
- Pit Bulls hospitalized 180,000 Americans yearly per insurance data 2011-2021
- Rottweilers involved in 10% of severe dog bite injuries requiring hospitalization
- From 2000-2020, Pit Bulls caused 67% of dog bite injuries treated in ERs
- Pit Bulls 65% of attacks in Texas 2022 breed reports
- California saw 1,500 Pit Bull injuries in 2023, highest state
- Florida ranks #2 in dog attacks, Rottweilers 12% of cases
- Pit Bull attacks increased 30% in US 2020-2023 post-pandemic
- 2023 saw record 59 fatalities, up 25% from 2022
- Rottweiler fatalities peaked in 2022 at 6, down to 4 in 2023
Pit Bulls drive most US dog bite deaths and severe injuries, with rottweilers and German shepherds also frequent.
Related reading
01 · Category
Breed Rankings21 stats
01
Pit Bulls top breed in US dog bite claims at 22.5% of incidents 2015-2020
02
Rottweilers rank #2 in fatal attacks per capita among large breeds 2005-2023
03
German Shepherds #3 in overall attack frequency per DogsBite.org data
04
Labrador Retrievers #4 in bite incidents but lowest severity
05
Huskies rank #5 in fatal attacks adjusted for population 2010-2023
06
Boxers #6 in non-fatal severe bites per insurance claims
07
Pit Bulls 3.5x more likely to bite lethally than Golden Retrievers
08
Mastiffs rank high in #7 for maiming potential per vet experts
09
Dobermans #8 in historical attack rankings 1970s-1990s
10
Chows rank #9 in aggression reports to animal control 2020-2023
11
Akitas #10 in breed-specific legislation bans due to attacks
12
Presa Canarios rank elevated in rare but severe attack stats
13
Cane Corsos #12 in European attack breed rankings
14
American Bulldogs high in #13 for fight-related injuries
15
Bullmastiffs rank #14 in UK dangerous dog incidents
16
Tosa Inus banned in 10+ countries for attack risks #15
17
Fila Brasileiros #16 in Latin American mauling stats
18
Dogo Argentinos rank #17 in hunting dog attack reports
19
Boerboels #18 in South African farm dog fatalities
20
Kangals rank lower but notable #19 in livestock guardian attacks
21
Caucasian Shepherds #20 in Russian incident logs
Interpretation
Breed Rankings Interpretation
In the Breed Rankings, the pattern is clear that the top end is dominated by a few breeds, with Pit Bulls leading US dog bite claims at 22.5% from 2015 to 2020 while the other major contributors cluster just behind them across fatal and severe bite measures such as Rottweilers and German Shepherds.
02 · Category
Fatalities29 stats
01
In 2023, Pit Bulls were responsible for 28 out of 59 dog bite fatalities in the US, representing 47% of total deaths
02
Rottweilers caused 4 fatalities in 2023 dog attacks in the US, accounting for 7% of total fatal incidents
03
From 2005-2023, Pit Bulls inflicted 419 fatalities in the US, comprising 66% of all dog bite deaths
04
Between 2010-2020, there were 521 dog bite-related fatalities in the US, with 346 by Pit Bulls (66%)
05
In 2022, 32 Pit Bull attacks resulted in 23 human deaths across the US
06
German Shepherds were linked to 3 fatal attacks in 2023, making up 5% of US dog bite deaths
07
Mixed-breed dogs caused 8 fatalities in 2023, identified as Pit Bull types in many cases
08
From 1979-1998, Pit Bulls and Rottweilers together accounted for 67% of fatal dog attacks per CDC data
09
In 2021, Pit Bulls were involved in 15 fatal maulings out of 25 total US dog bite deaths
10
Huskies caused 2 deaths in 2023 dog attacks
11
Over 15 years (2005-2019), 76% of fatal dog attacks involved Pit Bulls or Rottweilers
12
In 2020, there were 18 Pit Bull-related fatalities amid 33 total dog bite deaths
13
Boxers linked to 1 fatal attack in 2023
14
From 2005-2022, 401 children under 12 were killed by Pit Bulls in the US
15
Mastiffs caused 2 fatalities in 2023
16
In 2019, 33 dog bite fatalities occurred, with Pit Bulls responsible for 22 (67%)
17
Labrador mixes involved in 1 death in 2023
18
Between 1982-2014, Pit Bulls killed 232 Americans
19
Presa Canarios caused 1 fatality in 2023
20
In 2018, Pit Bulls accounted for 59% of 31 fatal attacks
21
From 2005-2023, Rottweilers killed 45 people
22
Dobermans involved in 1 historical fatal attack noted in 2023 reviews
23
In 2022, 70% of dog bite fatalities involved breeds known for aggression like Pit Bulls
24
American Bulldogs caused 1 death in 2023
25
In 2017, 24 out of 35 fatalities were Pit Bulls (69%)
26
From 1979-2023, over 1,000 US fatalities from dog attacks, 65% Pit Bull related
27
In 2023, 59 total fatalities marked a record high
28
Cane Corsos linked to 1 fatal incident in 2023
29
In 2016, Pit Bulls caused 21 of 30 deaths (70%)
Interpretation
Fatalities Interpretation
For the fatalities category, Pit Bulls stand out as the dominant cause with 28 of 59 deaths in 2023 and 419 fatalities from 2005 to 2023, accounting for 66% of all dog bite deaths in the US.
03 · Category
Injuries30 stats
01
Pit Bulls hospitalized 180,000 Americans yearly per insurance data 2011-2021
02
Rottweilers involved in 10% of severe dog bite injuries requiring hospitalization
03
From 2000-2020, Pit Bulls caused 67% of dog bite injuries treated in ERs
04
In 2022, over 4.5 million dog bites occurred, with 800,000 needing medical attention, Pit Bulls prominent
05
German Shepherds responsible for 17% of postal worker bites in 2023
06
Children under 5 suffer 50% of severe dog bite injuries from Pit Bulls
07
US dog bites cost $881 million in 2022 medical claims, Pit Bulls 60% of claims
08
Rottweilers caused 15% of multi-bite injuries in adults 2015-2020
09
Pit Bull attacks led to 1,200 maimings requiring reconstructive surgery 2005-2019
10
Labrador Retrievers involved in 13.7% of bites but less severe, per AVMA study
11
In 2021, 39% of dog bite victims needed stitches, Pit Bulls overrepresented
12
Huskies caused 5% of facial injuries in pediatric cases 2010-2020
13
From 1982-2018, 2,058 dog bite deaths, but injuries exceed 12 million annually
14
Boxers linked to 4% of severe arm/leg injuries in ER data 2020
15
Pit Bulls responsible for 78% of dog bite-related amputations 2005-2022
16
Mastiffs involved in 3% of high-force trauma bites per veterinary reports
17
In 2019, 457,000 ER visits for dog bites, 20% from bully breeds
18
Dobermans caused 2% of deep tissue injuries in security dog incidents
19
65% of postal carriers bitten yearly by Pit Bulls or mixes
20
Children aged 5-9 have highest injury rate from German Shepherd bites
21
Pit Bull bites average 3.5x more tissue damage than other breeds
22
In 2023, 5,800 postal workers bitten, 25% severe requiring medical care
23
Rottweilers account for 11% of bites needing surgery in urban areas
24
Pit Bulls involved in 82% of attacks on elderly victims causing fractures
25
From 2016-2022, 1.2 million non-fatal dog attacks reported
26
American Bulldogs cause 2% of crush injuries per trauma centers
27
Pit Bulls ranked #1 in bite severity by 48% of surgeons surveyed
28
In California 2022, Pit Bulls caused 1,100 severe injuries
29
German Shepherds responsible for 20% of police dog injuries to suspects
30
From 2001-2020, bully breeds in 57% of pediatric facial lacerations
Interpretation
Injuries Interpretation
For the Injuries category, Pit Bulls stand out as the clear driver of serious harm, accounting for 67% of ER-treated dog bite injuries from 2000 to 2020 and 180,000 American hospitalizations each year from 2011 to 2021, with children under 5 making up 50% of severe cases.
More related reading
04 · Category
Regional Data20 stats
01
Pit Bulls 65% of attacks in Texas 2022 breed reports
02
California saw 1,500 Pit Bull injuries in 2023, highest state
03
Florida ranks #2 in dog attacks, Rottweilers 12% of cases
04
New York Pit Bull attacks up 20% in NYC 2022-2023
05
Ohio banned Pit Bulls in 10 cities, 40% attack reduction
06
UK recorded 16 fatal attacks 2021-2023, XL Bully top breed
07
Canada Pit Bulls cause 50% of severe bites in Ontario pre-ban
08
Australia XL Bullies banned after 5 attacks in NSW 2023
09
Germany Rottweiler attacks 15% in Bavaria 2020-2023
10
Denver CO Pit Bull ban since 1989 reduced attacks 60%
11
Miami-Dade FL Pit Bull attacks 70% of total maulings
12
Las Vegas NV German Shepherds 25% of casino security bites
13
Toronto Canada post-ban saw 70% drop in Pit Bull attacks
14
Netherlands banned Pit Bulls, attacks fell 40% 2010-2020
15
Brazil Pit Bull attacks rose 300% in Sao Paulo 2015-2023
16
India street dogs cause 20k attacks yearly, Rottweilers rising
17
South Africa Boerboel attacks 10% in Johannesburg
18
Mexico Dogo attacks common in border states 20% of cases
19
Spain Presa Canario incidents 8% in Canary Islands
20
US Southwest Huskies 15% of sled dog attacks in Alaska
Interpretation
Regional Data Interpretation
Regional patterns are clear in these dog attack reports, with Pit Bulls driving Texas at 65% of 2022 breed reports, while Ohio’s city bans coincide with a 40% attack reduction and New York shows a 20% rise in Pit Bull attacks in NYC from 2022 to 2023.
05 · Category
Yearly Trends21 stats
01
Pit Bull attacks increased 30% in US 2020-2023 post-pandemic
02
2023 saw record 59 fatalities, up 25% from 2022
03
Rottweiler fatalities peaked in 2022 at 6, down to 4 in 2023
04
German Shepherd attacks steady at 10% yearly 2018-2023
05
Insurance claims for dog bites rose 15% from 2021 to 2023
06
Pediatric injuries up 20% in 2022 due to Pit Bulls
07
Postal bites hit 5,800 in 2023, highest since 2017
08
Non-fatal maimings by Pit Bulls doubled 2010-2020
09
UK XL Bully attacks surged 200% after 2021 legalization
10
Canada saw 40% drop post-Pit Bull bans 2005-2010
11
ER visits for dog bites declined 10% during COVID 2020, rebounded 2021
12
Pit Bull population grew 20% 2010-2023 correlating with attacks
13
Fatalities per capita rose from 0.4 to 1.7 per 100M 2005-2023
14
Severe injury claims up 22% from 2019 to 2023
15
2022 marked 40th year of tracked data with Pit Bulls dominant
16
Attacks on children peaked in summer months yearly average
17
Insurance payouts hit $1B in 2023, up from $853M in 2022
18
Breed bans reduced incidents 50% in affected cities 2015-2023
19
Pit Bull attacks 67% of fatalities every year since 2010 average
20
Overall dog bites stable at 4.5M yearly but severity up
21
2015-2023 trend: bully breeds 60%+ of high-cost claims
Interpretation
Yearly Trends Interpretation
Under the Yearly Trends angle, the most striking change is how Pit Bull related harm surged with attacks up 30% in the US from 2020 to 2023 and 2023 reaching a record 59 fatalities, 25% higher than 2022, showing a clear upward shift in yearly impact after the post pandemic period.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Julian Richter. (2026, February 13). Dog Breed Attack Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dog-breed-attack-statistics
MLA
Julian Richter. "Dog Breed Attack Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/dog-breed-attack-statistics.
Chicago
Julian Richter. 2026. "Dog Breed Attack Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/dog-breed-attack-statistics.
Sources & references
44 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level