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Worst Dog Breeds for Families

Dog might be man's best friend, but they aren't always good for whole families.

By Riley Raul ReesePublished 7 years ago 6 min read
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I'm a firm believer that dogs are truly the best friends that humans can have. However, not all dogs are the same — and some are definitely not a good match for families with small children, cats, or owners who aren't really adept at training animals.

Some dog breeds have way worse reps than others, even if they are not necessarily deserved. Though these dogs could be a perfect match for the right person, many experts consider them the worst dog breeds for families.

Chihuahuas

Although they might be good for parents with teenagers, or families that live in small apartments, Chihuahuas are definitely not good dogs for families with small kids.

In many cases, Chihuahuas can be aggressive and, if they feel threatened, will bite. With small kids, this may mean a lot of biting, a wailing child, and at worst, a child who ends up seriously injuring a fragile-bodied puppy due to a bite.

Chihuahuas are also known for having loud, yowling wails — and that bodes poorly for families that have newborns. These tiny dogs have a pretty bad reputation when it comes to house training, or really, being trained to do anything at all, too.

Though they can be tiny angels, it's easy to see why some may consider both furry and hairless Chihuahuas to be the worst dog breeds for families.

Weimaraners

Weimaraners are known for being one of the few dog breeds that managed to inspire artists and photographers — and for being one of the few breeds with hauntingly bright eyes. Unfortunately, these large, elegant dogs also have a rep for being one of the worst dogs for families with small kids.

The problem with Weimaraners is that they're bred to hunt large game and be protective. This means that they really enjoy rough housing, and unfortunately, often end up getting too carried away with it.

Though they may do alright with older kids, a Weimaraner is not a good choice for small children due to their rough idea of playtime. Additionally, these dogs don't fare well with families on the go, primarily because they're prone to separation anxiety and require routine to stay calm.

Rottweilers

A couple of decades ago, Rottweilers became famous for being vicious attack dogs and top quality police dogs. This much is still true — if they are trained to be that way. Most Rottweilers you'll see are actually very calm, friendly, and easy to train.

Due to their breeding, they are still prone to lash out if they are made to feel uncomfortable. Children who accidentally encroach on their territory or make the mistake of angering them can likely find themselves on the receiving end of a pretty bad dog bite.

Though many Rottweilers get along with kids, they still have a pretty bad reputation — and thus end up being called one of the worst dog breeds for families with small children to have.

American Pitbulls

The most well-known bully breed around, American Pitbulls are the epitome of dogs with a bad rep. These dogs are regularly cited as the worst of the worst dog breeds for families to own, and have even been banned in several countries.

The problem with Pitbulls, at least by reputation, is that they are prone to violent attacks — and honestly, it's not their fault. We were the ones who bred them to be this way.

The reason why Pitties are prone to violence deals with their lineage. Pitbulls are a mix of the now-extinct Dogo Argentino, a fighting dog that was so violent that it actually fought its own breed into extinction, along with a number of other species.

In many parts of the US, dog fighters breed Pitbulls to be as aggressive and dangerous as possible. Among dog fighting circles, it's also very common for these dogs to be drugged, abused, and trained to tear small animals apart before they ever enter the ring.

Though many families have found American Pitbull Terriers (also known as Staffordshire Terriers) to be excellent family additions, the numbers definitely suggest that there is some truth to their bad reputation. Around 50% of all hospital visits involving dog attacks are from Pitbulls.

Even the U.S. Army has cited Pitbulls as a dangerous breed. That being said, many swear it's all about how you train them. Even so, their reputation as the worst dogs for families stands pretty strongly.

Akitas

Akitas may have won the hearts of many for their many cameos in anime shows, the truth is that they aren't exactly the best dogs for new owners. They are fiercely independent, and fiercely dominant in their ways — and to a point, tend to be very hard to train.

When you consider their dominant personality, their territorial nature, and the fact that they tend to be very strong for their already-large size, you might be able to figure out why they're one of the worst dogs for families with very young children.

There have been times where Akitas have not reacted well to young kids, so if you aren't sure whether to bring them around your toddler, it's a good idea to avoid them.

Alaskan Malamutes

These beautiful dogs are known for being able to brave harsh winters, pull luggage-loaded sleds with ease, and also hunt for prey alongside their owners. They are Alaskan dogs that are meant to be used in the wilderness — and to a point, that makes their almost wolf-like instincts way stronger than most other breeds.

Malamutes do very well with teenagers and experienced dog owners. Unfortunately, parents who have toddlers and babies should not consider these dogs for their families. Due to their exceptional prey instinct, it's possible that they may mistake small kids as prey and attack them.

Additionally, Malamutes are extremely dominant and difficult to train. Some even may revert to their "inner wolf," and cause total havoc if left to their own devices. So, if you're a new owner or have kids who aren't willing to put their feet down with a dog, it could be a very bad life decision.

Siberian Huskies

Siberian Huskies may be smaller than their Malamute brothers, but in most cases, their traits are almost identical. They are sled dogs that love to run, but they are exceedingly difficult for new dog owners to train.

Much like Malamutes, Siberian Huskies are known for reverting to their inner wolf. With that wolf-like mentality comes a higher chance towards attacking loud (read: crying) children and a need to hunt prey.

If you aren't experienced with dogs, or if you're the parent to small children, Huskies are not a good idea. That's why they are one of the worst dog breeds for families with small, loud, or otherwise boisterous kids to own.

Chinese Shar-Peis

These wrinkly ol' mush-faced puppies are calm, mellow companions that are dignified pets. They also make top quality guard dogs and are known for being affectionate towards their owners.

However, Shar-Peis are also difficult to train and may stubbornly resist even the most basic training. If they aren't socialized properly, they also can get somewhat mean with strangers.

The biggest issue, though, is not their training problems. Rather, it's the fact that they don't take abuse and cruelty well — even if the abuse is not intentional, such as the child pulling a dog's ear or slapping it.

Because they may attack a small child that tugs its tail too hard, these dogs are one of the worst dog breeds for families with toddlers.

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About the Creator

Riley Raul Reese

Riley Reese is comic book fanatic who loves anything that has to do with science-fiction, anime, action movies, and Monster Energy drink.

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