Top 5 Most Dangerous Dogs In South Africa

Some dogs’ bark is worse than their bite. Other times, the bite is just as bad or worse. Most owners of dangerous dogs insist that such dog breeds are only truly dangerous, if they aren’t properly trained or don’t have any healthy outlets for their energy. Whether you’re looking for a guard dog or just doing a background check on your next pet, here is our list of the most dangerous dogs in South Africa.

Rottweiler

Rottweilers seem to fall into two camps. On the one hand, these puppies can prove happy, child-friendly family protectors. On the other, they are vicious hellhounds, whose only instinct is to violently attack and destroy. The latter perception may be due to this breed’s history, which is surprisingly long and unsurprisingly brutal. Back in the days of the Roman Empire, Rottweilers either accompanied the army or guarded cattle. With their high energy, heavily-muscled bodies, and a wide jaw with a wicked bite, this dog can prove deadly.

However, a good nature seems to be the redeeming feature of many rottweilers. They are generally placid and make excellent playmates for children. This dog breed also stands out for its trainability and its calm, confident, and courageous nature. Whether Rottweilers present as gentle giants or ballistic brutes, typically comes down to genetics and individual experiences. Socialisation and training are also deciding factors.

Bull Terrier

One of the dog breeds most commonly associated with violence is the Bull Terrier. These muscular, forceful, energetic dogs are often the first choice for attack and guard dogs. This should be no surprise given they were initially bred as fighting and hunting dogs. Despite the modern Bull Terrier being much gentler than its ancestors, most regard these dogs as combative and highly aggressive with a tendency to bite. As such, training, socialisation, and a daily exercise regimen are a must.

A Bull Terrier with too much energy can quickly turn to mischief of the violent variety. Since these dogs have a reputation of being unable to play nicely with other, they must never be allowed to run free and it is best to exercise them in a fenced-off yard or walks on a leash. So, train your bull terrier from an early age and keep them away from children or anyone, who is unfamiliar with handling this breed’s rowdiness when playing.

German Shepherd

There is a reason why German Shepherds are such common features on guard dog signs. Powerful, intelligent, and vicious – you may have heard these exact words used to describe the velociraptors in Jurassic Park, but they apply just as readily to your neighbourhood Alsatian (another name for this dog breed, in case you were wondering). In the past, folks used these dogs for tracking, search and rescue as well as protection and guarding. Despite their large size and imposing physical strength, these dogs train easily and can be loyal, gentle giants. Sadly, in many cases, German Shepherds are most criticised for the things they were originally bred to do.

However, their perceived faults are often also their greatest assets. Since they were bred for the task of guarding people and property, this breed is naturally territorial and very energetic. As such, if left alone, a German Shepherd can experience separation anxiety, since they get upset about not being able to protect you when you go. This can manifest in troublesome behaviours like persistent barking and digging holes to “escape”. While these problems are very annoying and inconvenient, they do happen out of love. In a nutshell, German Shepherds are only liable to become dominant and aggressive if they are not properly trained.

Boerboel

This lekker local is a favourite among the mastiff breeds. Originally bred to protect sheep and farms, the Boerboel is a stocky, powerful, and intelligent breed, powerful enough to take down leopards. Their strength and abundance of energy seem the main cause for their bad reputation as dangerous dogs. A restless Boerboel can easily knock over a child or vulnerable adult, and such interactions should be well-supervised. Aside from that, the Boerboel is generally better known for its gentle and loyal nature, being tolerant of anyone within the family. However, as with many large dog breeds, this one prefers to be top dog in the house and this dominance can get out of hand very quickly without the proper training. Once they learn to accept members of the family and any other household pets, they are likely to guard anyone living within what they consider their domain.

Husky

Given their strong resemblance to wolves, should it come as any surprise that these charming fluff-balls make our list? A 2012 study found that Huskies are the most likely dog breed to cause death or serious injury to humans. The Siberian Husky has a naturally high prey drive. These guys are likely to make quick work of the family cat, if not raised alongside felines or other pets. It is best not to keep them around rabbits, ferrets, or birds. These dogs must be kept behind high, secure fences, and are likely to take every opportunity to escape. This breed is playful, athletic, and agile as well as powerful. Without regular exercise, mental activity, and lots of companionship, these dogs can turn highly destructive. While Huskies do benefit from stringent training, their cunning and strong-willed (see: stubborn) nature can make them incredibly difficult to bend to your will.

Caring For Your Dangerous Dogs

You may have noticed a trend in this list. No matter how aggressive or fearsome these dogs may seem, it is possible to tame them into sincerely loving and affectionate (albeit over-protective) family members. If you can start diligently training your puppy from a young age, your dog is likely to grow into a loyal friend, despite what anyone has to say about their breed. If you keep these breeds in good care and good health, you’ll find them more hairy than scary.

Take care of your “dangerous” dogs with pet insurance that covers vaccines and vet bills, giving you more time to enjoy their sloppy kisses.