What dog breeds are most likely to bite someone?

Any breed of dog can potentially attack and seriously hurt someone. But some breeds have a more notorious reputation in Manassas. Perhaps no dog breed has a worse public reputation than pit bulls.

Are pit bulls really the most dangerous dogs out there? The New York Post seems to think so.

The three breeds that bite the most

An article in the Post cites data from the New York Department of Health that suggests pit bulls were responsible for about 30 percent of dog bite incidents in the city from 2015-17. This figure made pit bulls the most common dog cited in attacks, though they are believed to be the sixth-most popular breed for dog owners in New York City. Interestingly, the data shows that the second- and third-most likely breeds to bite were Shih Tzus and Chihuahuas — two small breeds that, while less likely to harm even a child seriously, could still leave visible scars.

Are they really pit bulls?

It is important to note that not every dog labeled as a pit bull in this data is necessarily a member of that breed. The head of a pit bull advocacy group said that authorities frequently call mixed-breed dogs “misunderstood” pit bulls. But in many cases, a DNA test would have revealed the dog had little pit bull ancestry.

Owners must take responsibility

Ultimately, it is up to every dog owner to take reasonable steps to stop their pet from biting someone else. Things like walking the dog on a leash, keeping their fence in good repair and training the dog to heel on command go a long way toward lowering the risk of a tragedy.