Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers | April 30, 2025 | Personal Injury
Dogs are known as man’s best friend. They often make great companions and members of the family. However, as with any animal, dogs come with certain risks, such as bites. Dog bites can happen with any breed, but some breeds may be more likely to cause injury than others.
Dog bites can be serious injuries, leading to significant physical and emotional trauma. Here is what you need to know about these injuries and which breeds may be most prone to biting in Florida.
Are Certain Breeds More Prone to Biting Than Others?
Accurately identifying a dog’s breed, especially for mixed breeds, can be difficult. Additionally, popular breeds will naturally show up more often in bite statistics simply because there are more of them around.
Still, some studies have sought to identify these trends as accurately as possible. An American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) study found that German Shepherds, Rottweilers, pit bulls, and Jack Russell terriers were overrepresented in biting incidents — though mixed breeds were cited as one of the worst offenders too, introducing some ambiguity to the results.
Insurance companies also sometimes release data based on claims, and some home insurers have banned breed policies, meaning they’ll refuse to insure applicants based on the presence of a vicious dog, like a pit bull or Rottweiler, in the home.
Other insurance companies don’t consider breed when writing their policies. Instead, taking the stance that individual dog history and behavior are more important than breed. This is consistent with what experts say, too. The AVMA, for example, states that breed alone is a poor predictor of bite risk.
The Worst Offenders In Dog Bite Incidents
With these caveats in mind, there are some breeds that can frequently appear in reports or studies examining dog bite incidents, such as:
- Pit Bulls: This includes American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, and mixes
- Rottweilers: Large and powerful, Rottweilers are also commonly mentioned in bite statistic reviews, particularly involving severe injuries
- German Shepherds: A popular breed known for protective instincts, they also tend to appear in bite statistics
- Other breeds: Siberian Huskies, Akitas, Dobermans, and even smaller breeds like Chihuahuas or Jack Russell Terriers can also be mentioned in these reports
Remember that seeing a breed on any list or report doesn’t automatically mean every dog of that breed is aggressive. Instead, it often reflects a combination of popularity, reporting biases, and potentially, how these dogs are raised or trained.
Beyond Breed: Factors That Drive Dog Bites
So what can cause a dog to bite someone, aside from the breed?
This range of factors can be much more predictive than breed alone:
- Socialization: Did the dog have positive experiences with people and other animals early on?
- Training: Has the dog been taught bite inhibition?
- Health: Is the dog in pain, sick, or confused?
- Circumstances: Was the dog scared, startled, defending territory or puppies, or provoked?
- Owner responsibility: Is the owner managing the dog properly, using leashes, securing yards, and considering their dog’s triggers?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes preventing bites through responsible ownership, understanding dog body language, and teaching children how to interact safely with dogs.
Prevention Is Key With Dog Bites In Florida
Statistics may point to certain breeds being reported in bite incidents more often, and certain types of dogs may have reputations for being more aggressive than others. But a bite from any dog, even a small one, can be potentially serious.
Perhaps more important than breed is understanding dog behavior, respecting boundaries, and, if you’re the owner, being responsible for your pet.
Contact the New Port Richey Personal Injury Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer in New Port Richey. We have convenient locations in Florida: St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg Law Office
840 Beach Dr NE Suite 202
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Safety Harbor Law Office
202 9th Ave S Suite A-2
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
(727) 787-2500
