Some breeds are known for their tendency to bite. However, it's far from certain whether this is due to the dog's genetic tendencies or to the ways the dogs are raised and handled by their owners.

A study by the Red Cross Children's Hospital shows that "guard dogs", including Pit Bull Terriers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers and Dobermans, pose the highest risk to people. But they are considered guard dogs specifically because of the way they've been raised. For example, even if a Rottweiler isn't directly trained to attack people, its owner is more likely to play rough with it - and to keep it on a chain all day - than the owner that doesn't have a reputation for being ferocious.

People may discriminate against dogs classified as being naturally aggressive even if the individual animals show no signs of aggression. For example, in certain states in the United States, dog pounds automatically put down strays like Pit Bull Terriers - whereas they send other breeds of dogs to care shelters or put them up for adoption.

Preventing Dog Bites

More often than not, it's an owner who should be held responsible when a dog bites a person. So, one of the best ways to prevent bites is to educate dog owners. A hungry or maltreated dog is far more likely to bite than a dog that's properly fed and cared for, and whose owner interacts with it in an appropriate fashion.

The majority of dog bites are suffered by young children. This is probably because young children are less sensitive to the warning signs that dogs give before biting, and of course they're more likely than adults to provoke dogs in ways that cause them to react aggressively. So it's especially important for dog owners with children to take appropriate steps to protect and teach their children.

It's also important for dog owners to maintain their positions as their dogs masters. All too often, dog owners allow their furry friends to sleep on their couches or even in their beds. This can confuse a dog in terms of the master and animal relationship, causing it to be overly territorial and disobedient.

Instead of putting a "red flag" on certain dog breeds, perhaps we should start red flagging bad dog owners. Ultimately, we need to take responsibility for our animals and treat them right so that less people get bitten.