5. Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is another breed with a very dangerous reputation. These dogs are built to be powerful and can become aggressive if they are not properly trained. While the Rottweiler may look scary, it’s actually known to be obedient, devoted and is very eager to work with its owner.

The breed possesses great herding and guarding instincts. The public’s negative view generally stems from owners who were irresponsible and caused serious behavior problems in their pets. They can also be very territorial, which means they are more likely to show signs of aggression when strangers are nearby.

Rottweilers are frequently used as guard dogs in film and media, which furthers their reputation as an imposing and dangerous breed. They are quite intimidating, with a muscular build and large size. The average female weighs between 77 and 105 pounds while males can reach between 110 and 132 pounds. That’s a lot of dog coming at a person should the Rottweiler decide to attack.

Unlike Pit Bulls and other fighting dogs, the Rottweiler was actually bred for herding and protection. Their history is believed to date as far back as Ancient Rome, where they may have descended from rugged drover dogs which were prized for their intelligence and guarding instinct.

One of the most dangerous characteristics of the Rottweiler is its strong biting ability. This breed can out-bite the Pit Bull in terms of force. The average Rottweiler can manage around 328 pounds of pressure when biting. To put that into perspective, the average adult person can produce around 120 pounds of bite force.

The good news is that despite its bad reputation, the Rottweiler is generally good natured, obedient and eager to work. When properly raised as a pup, this breed can serve as a helpful, confident companion. It’s good for protection but owners should still use caution when the dog is around children or strangers.