Scariest Dog Breeds
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Owning a dog has been scientifically proven to have mood-boosting benefits, linking to a reduction in depression and even lower blood pressure — but not all dog breeds are created equal. In fact, some dogs invoke fear in those whose paths they cross.
So, which dog breeds scare us the most? Protect My Paws sought to find the answer to this very question. By using the NRC Lexicon way of scoring a sentence for emotional content, the pet care site analyzed 250,000 dog-themed tweets to find which dog breeds inspired the most fear.
The results? Whether it’s due to their size, behavior or even just the way they look, these are the 10 scariest dog breeds.
10. Bearded Collie
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No. of fearful words (per 1,000 in tweets about the breed): 101
Bearded collies were once bred to be herding dogs to help shepherds in the Scottish Highlands. So, like other herding breeds, this one can be a bit stubborn without the proper training.
What likely causes most people to fear the bearded collie is that they’re quite vocal, but their bark is louder than their bite. In fact, the American Kennel Club says this breed is especially good with young children and other dogs.
* Ranking comes from Protect My Paws’ 2023 analysis.
9. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
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No. of fearful words: 107
Staffordshire bull terriers are part of the pit bull terrier family, and they often get a bad rap because of their history being used in dogfight rings. Their steadfast loyalty made them easy to train for fights, but that personality trait can also make them the ultimate family dog with the right owners.
Still, their stocky build and muscular jaw can appear intimidating to those who don’t understand the breed’s history.
8. Vizsla
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No. of fearful words: 109
The vizsla is a larger-than-average dog breed, clocking in at around 55 pounds. A hunting breed, the vizsla is tightly bound to their owner and hates to be left alone.
Plus, their high energy level and need for constant mental stimulation might be a turnoff for those who meet one.
7. Bloodhound
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No. of fearful words: 110
Another hunting breed, the name “bloodhound” is perhaps the scariest thing about this breed. They enjoy human companionship and are said to be great around other dogs and even kids.
However, if they’re onto a scent, their stubbornness to stop at nothing short of finding the culprit can make them seem a bit relentless. Plus, their large size, weighing an average 100 pounds, can be intimidating for some.
6. Belgian Malinois
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No. of fearful words: 111
Like several other breeds on this list, the Belgian Malinois is a working dog, known for its history in herding. That means they, too, need a task or some form of daily mental stimulation to keep them from becoming too eager.
As such, they make good police dogs but might scare people in the process.
5. Italian Greyhound
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No. of fearful words: 114
Greyhounds have a unique look that people either love or hate, and for better or worse, the Italian version comes in a small, about 10-pound package. This toy breed is quite sleek looking, but being a hound, they are prone to hunting — i.e., chasing after anything that moves.
This can be a bit startling to some, but the proper family will find their companionship and aristocratic allure delightful.
4. Irish Wolfhound
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No. of fearful words: 117
The Irish Wolfhound has the same hunting-breed tendencies as the others on this list, paired with the intimidating look of an actual wolf.
Their gray wiry hair, more than 100-pound build and protective nature are guaranteed to scare off intruders, but they’re actually quite affectionate with family.
3. Boxer
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No. of fearful words: 126
The boxer is another dog breed that proves you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Yes, they’re muscular and stout, which can look intimidating to some. But their patience and loyalty have earned them major family-dog points in recent years.
Some would say they’re even silly in nature.
2. Japanese Chin
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No. of fearful words: 121
This dog is definitely more fluff than tough, weighing in at a mere 10 pounds on average. Often described as “distinctly feline,” the breed will instill fear in anyone who hates cats.
While their buggy eyes and lion-like mane may seem fierce-looking, this breed is quite literally fit for a king, having been popular among Chinese emperors some 500 to 1,000 years ago.
1. Akita
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No. of fearful words: 149
Akitas are known for being protective, which makes them loyal family members. In fact, they have a spiritual connection to the people of Japan, as the dog breed signifies health, happiness and a long life.
But their loyalty also means they’re on alert with any person or thing that may pose a threat. In fact, they can be quite aggressive with other dogs, and at an average of 100 pounds, that can be quite scary if one is in the wrong place at the wrong time.
For more dog breeds that are misunderstood, check out "Most Dangerous Dog Breeds That Get a Bad Rap."