The breeds on this list of supposedly worst dog breeds are those that other dog owners and enthusiasts have found problematic for a variety of reasons.
It’s an exciting journey to choose the right dog, but not every owner is a good fit for every breed. Although there is no such thing as a truly “bad” dog, some breeds have characteristics that can make them challenging for families with young children, first-time owners, or people seeking a low-maintenance companion. These breeds demand more patience, training, and dedication due to their high energy levels, stubborn personalities, and occasionally even a reputation for aggression.
Understanding what you’re getting into before bringing a new pet home is crucial. In this post, we will examine some of the most difficult dog breeds, not to deter you, but to assist you in making an informed choice. After all, having the wrong dog in the wrong house can annoy both the owner and the pet. Let’s get started!
(Note: Each dog is unique, and even “difficult” breeds can make excellent companions with the right socialization and training.)
Breed Characteristics
There are dog breeds that are inherently good with children and breeds that struggle with children. Although general behavioral tendencies are common among all dog breeds, temperament is not solely determined by breed. Parentage, surroundings, and any prior training or socialization are additional factors. Young children may be treated differently by dogs than by adults, particularly if they were not raised around children. Dogs respond best to the people who train and bond with them.
Some dogs can handle these things better than others, but most dogs dislike high-pitched noises, screaming, people staring into their eyes, and sudden, awkward movements. Some dog breeds are more independent, more difficult to train, more fearful, or less understanding of young children who enjoy roughhousing or who don’t pay attention to where they step or what they grab.
When it comes to training, spitz breeds such as huskies and Akitas are notoriously uncooperative. Bullmastiffs and other lumbering giant breeds have the potential to topple anything in their path, including young children. Other dogs, like toy breeds, may become defensive around children out of concern for their safety.
Chihuahua
Many people believe that Chihuahuas are suitable for households with small children due to their diminutive size, but this is not the case. When these small animals feel the need to defend themselves, they respond with barks and occasionally bites, using their mouths to protect them where their size cannot. A lot of Chihuahuas require privacy. If someone outside of their primary caregiver enters their zone and causes them discomfort, they will give plenty of social cues. The issue is that children struggle to read cues, and a child may start acting aggressively.
Breed overview: 6 to 9 inches tall. 2 to 6 pounds in weight. Coat and Color: Long or smooth coats; solid or a combination of two colors, such as black, tan, fawn, cream, white, blue, silver, chocolate, and red. Life Expectancy: 12 to 20 years
Akita
Akitas are naturally sweet and devoted, but they have also been bred for years to be guard dogs, and the instincts that result from this breed can be hard to overcome and can cause issues during playdates and other times when strangers come to your house. Akitas want to protect their families, including your children, and may see other children coming over and squealing or roughhousing as a threat. If you don’t have young children at home but invite them over, your dog may become defensive.
Breed overview: Male height: 26 to 28 inches; female height: 24 to 26 inches. Male weight: 100–130 pounds; female weight: 70–100 pounds. Coat and Color: Brindle and pinto (both with white markings) are common colors for this short, thick double coat. Expected lifespan: 10–13 years
Pekingese
Similar to Chihuahuas, Pekingese are small dogs that use other techniques, such as yipping and biting, to appear large and intimidating when they feel threatened. It might not take much to bring out these behaviors. Pekingese do not respond well to prodding, poking, and tail pulling. They may be possessive over food, toys, and even their primary caregivers. A dog will compete for your attention, and this dog does not want to lose. You might want to avoid a situation where your child can get hurt by running over to hug you or trying to play (even nicely) with the dog. That’s a lot of stress on all of you and a good reason to seek out a different breed.
Breed overview: 6 to 9 inches tall. Weight: 14 pounds or more. Coat and Color: Gold, sable, red, gray, black, tan, and cream, with a long, thick double coat and a lion-like mane. Expected lifespan: 12–14 years
Siberian Husky
Siberian huskies enjoy rough play and are very active dogs. Even with the best of intentions, these powerful dogs could unintentionally hurt a child. Due to their independence and somewhat stubborn nature, this breed is also challenging to train. Children who act like “prey”—for instance, by running around or crying aloud—may set them off. In addition, they have retained some wolf characteristics beyond appearance. They react quickly to perceived threats and are naturally protective. It’s best to wait until your children are older and more capable of managing their own conduct before bringing a husky into the house.
Breed overview: 35 to 60 pounds in weight. Color and Coat: Black, gray, red, brown, tan, or white double-layered coat. Expected lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Alaskan Malamute
This breed resembles Siberian huskies in appearance and behavior, but it is larger. Like many of the dogs on this list, Alaskan Malamutes like rough play, and if they don’t get enough exercise, they become even rougher. They can also be very stubborn and challenging to train, much like huskies. They are also typically not excellent leash dogs, which makes them less than ideal for households with young children. On walks, they might strain, pull, and jump. Given this behavior, it would be extremely unsafe for your child to walk dangerously next to the leash while holding it.
Breed overview: 23 to 25 inches tall
75 to 85 pounds in weight
Shades of gray, black, sable, and red are among the colors of the extremely thick double coat.
Expected lifespan: 10–12 years
Shih Tzu
Many respectable Shih Tzu breeders won’t sell their puppies to households with young children. This breed enjoys zipping around and getting under your feet, which can trip up both adults and kids if they’re not looking closely enough. Both people and the dog could be harmed by this possible trip hazard. You must exercise extreme caution when playing with a Shih Tzu puppy. Children should only play with the breed while seated on the floor, according to experts. Since older shih tzus tend to relax after puppyhood, they might be suitable.
Breed overview: 8 to 11 inches tall.9 to 16 pounds in weight. Coat and Color: Long, double coat, usually in black, white, blue, gold, or liver, but available in many other colors. Expected lifespan: 10–16 years
Australian Shepherd
Since Australian shepherds are naturally herders, it is reasonable to assume that they occasionally wish to reprimand small children or even nip at their heels to get them to obey. Because of their intelligence, this breed is more difficult to train. Additionally, this active powerhouse needs a lot of exercise and one-on-one time, which can be difficult for a family with young children who frequently take up the majority of the attention. This breed would be a far better fit for older kids who can play with it in a respectful manner for hours on end.
Breed overview: 18 to 23 inches tall. 40 to 65 pounds in weight. Coat and Color: Thick coats come in a range of hues and designs, such as merle, splotches, and spots. 13 to 15 years is the average lifespan.
Bullmastiff
Although these enormous dogs are amiable and have a sweet disposition, their size alters the dynamics of a home where small children are present. An enthusiastic toddler can easily be overpowered by a 100-pound bullmastiff. It’s all inadvertent; they are unaware of their own size and mistakenly believe they are lapdogs. Before considering this breed, it is best to wait until the kids are older and more confident.
Breed overview: 24 to 27 inches tall. 100 to 130 pounds in weight. Color and Coat: Brindle, red, or fawn short coat. Life Expectancy: 8–10 years
Chow Chow
The purpose of chow chow breeding was to produce guardian dogs. They are not the most cuddly breeds, despite having the appearance of large, inviting, fluffy teddy bears. Generally speaking, hugs are not very welcome. It may even become aggressive if children run past it or scream or squeal. Another intelligent breed that struggles with training is this one. This dog needs a lot of socialization, intense training, and consistent praise for good behavior.
Breed overview: 17 to 20 inches tall. 40 to 70 pounds in weight. Coat and Color: Black, blue, cinnamon, cream, or red coats can be smooth or rough. Expected lifespan: 10–12 years
Rottweiler
Rottweilers are guard dogs that are protective. They keep an eye out for active targets that could endanger their house. Children that the dog perceives are running away from it or making a disturbance may also be subject to the reaction. Even though those kids are just playing nearby, the dog may find it hard to tell the difference between a home invasion and harmless children’s play.
Breed overview: Height: shoulder to shoulder, 22 to 27 inches. 80–130 pounds in weight. Coat and Color: Black short double coat with mahogany, rust, or tan coloring. Life Expectancy: 8–10 years
Conclusion
Even though all dogs can be devoted companions, some breeds have special difficulties that make them inappropriate for owners who lack the necessary skills or preparation. If not properly trained and socialized, aggressive, stubborn, or energetic breeds like the pit bull, chow chow, and Dalmatian can be very dangerous. But it’s important to keep in mind that a dog’s behavior is mostly influenced by its environment, training, and upbringing. Instead of calling any breed “the worst,” the secret to a happy, well-adjusted pet is responsible ownership, careful research, and dedication. Temperament, lifestyle fit, and your capacity to provide for the needs of the dog should always be your top priorities when thinking about getting one, as even the most difficult breeds can flourish in the right hands.