It is natural for people to be more afraid of large-breed dogs. These could include Rottweilers, Pitbulls or German shepherds. People are often wary when they see an off-leash dog that they do not know, anticipating that they may be involved in a dog bite incident.
But this does not necessarily mean that those large dogs are the most aggressive breeds. Some studies have actually found that smaller breeds have higher aggression rates and more aggressive tendencies. So why is it that people tend to be afraid of large-breed dogs?
The ramifications of a bite
The issue, in many cases, is just the level of injury that the dog is able to inflict. Small breeds may be more aggressive in part because they understand their small size and believe they have to act aggressively to protect themselves. But in reality, it is difficult for a very small dog – like a Chihuahua – to inflict significant harm, even if it bites someone.
On the other side of the coin, larger breed dogs are much stronger and have a much higher bite force. There is a reason that more than two-thirds of all fatal attacks involve Pitbulls. Even though these dogs may have less aggressive personalities overall, if they do decide to attack, their size and strength make them vastly more dangerous than smaller breeds.
Exploring your legal options
Regardless of the size of the dog, if you have been bitten, you may have suffered serious injuries due to a dog owner’s negligence. As such, it is important to understand all of your legal options to seek financial compensation at this time.
