What Is The Meanest Dog Breed? A Must Read - Home

Exactly what is the meanest dog breed?

Pit bulls, Rottweilers and German Shepherds can randomly come off of almost anyone's head. Their bad reputation and accounts of people who have had bad experiences with them seem to be enough to judge the aforementioned breeds. However, the American Kennel Club maintains that there is no such thing as a mean dog. They usually become mean when their owners abuse them or train them for fighting. Somehow, you can look at it in a "Nature vs. Nurture" point of view.

To expound further, Rottweilers and American Pitbulls are generally classified as working dogs. They were tasked to hunt and pull carts for their owners. They were and are still kept as house pets because they are generally good natured and loyal to their families. Their loud barks and strong jaws can also keep an intruder or a petty thief away. Then again, if they are such good dogs, one would have to ask why they were made to endure a horrible reputation.

American Pit Bulls and Rottweiler are quite famous in the dog fighting scene. The same strength and general musculature that they use to help people has caught the attention of dog fighting enthusiasts. When trained properly their big bites can be potentially lethal. Yes, dog fighting is still illegal in most countries but sadly there are still a lot of people who gets involved with this underground spectator sport.

What usually happens is that when people breed them for this purpose, they usually train them to be overly aggressive. They are taught to attack any dog with the purpose of maiming them in a "battle". After a rigid and often violent training, they more often lose their inherent trait of loyalty and gentleness. What the breeder will then have is an attack dog that purely acts on their "animal instincts". To make things worse, their bad "dog - fighting" and "spike - wearing" image can easily get stuck to almost anyone's mind.

The same scenario can be applied when a dog is abused. Generally a very patient dog will tolerate as much abuse as it can take. But when a dog is shown inhumanity all his life, he is bound to give in at one point or another and act according to his instinct to protect himself. If biting and fighting can make him keep his life, then that is what he will do.

What does this all mean?

That means that dogs are only as good as how you train them to be. Their genes and inherent traits can be easily changed based on their environment. In fact, anyone can turn the warmest and most affectionate Labrador Retriever to a monster if they want to.

So, the answer to the question posted above is none. No one has the capability to single out the "meanest breed" technically because every breed can be mean. The lesson here is that if you do not want a mean dog, then do not raise them to be that way. Treat them the way you would treat your own family. You would even be surprised to know that if given enough love, they can be the most loyal and loving companion one could ever get.