by Chrystina Trulove-Reyes

Created on: November 21, 2008   Last Updated: August 27, 2009

People tend to base safety on size. People think that bigger equals more dangerous, which is especially true when it comes to dogs. Many people fear the larger breeds because of their size. However, the most aggressive dogs tend to be the smallest ones.

The University of Pennsylvania did a study that involved over 60,000 dog owners. In that study, they learned that owners with small dogs did not report dog bites as often as the owners of large dogs, because the bites were not as 'serious'. The study's findings were that the three most aggressive dogs are Dachshunds, Chihuahuas, and Jack Russell Terriers. The study also revealed that children were the most likely to be bitten.

The younger the child, the more dangerous they are to small animals. This includes little dogs. Many children see a small animal and immediately are attracted to that animal. They want to hold and cuddle it, which often leads to improper handling and squeezing too hard. No small animal, dog or otherwise, likes this. Many small animals will consider rough handling a form of attack.

Children should be taught at an early age to respect animals. A child who learns to respect an animal's space is less likely to be hurt by that animal. Teaching children the correct way to hold and pet an animal also reduces those chances.

Similarly, dogs that are trained with the basic commands and watched when around children can greatly reduce the chance of a dog bite. Training your dog has a three-fold benefit. First, your dog becomes much easier to manage. Second, potential problems can be averted with a simple command such as "sit" or "no". Third, training helps maintain the bond between owner and companion.

When looking for a new dog to bring into your family, you should keep in mind that the breed of a dog will have an affect its temperament. However, breeding is not the only thing that will cause a dog to bite. Many factors contribute to whether a dog is more likely to bite. The handling and environment from birth can affect a dog's character. If the dog was raised in an environment that had no children, they are less likely to be open to children.

Other things can cause dogs to bite. How well and often the dog is one such thing that could cause problems. Dogs who are in pain, feel intimidated or frightened are much more likely to bite. Sudden changes in a dog's home-life can be upsetting. An addition to the home, in the form of a baby, spouse, roommate, or new pet will distress a dog. Moving can also be stressful and aggravating.

Size is something that today's society uses to complicate matters. Size does not change whether something is dangerous or safe. Small dogs are just as dangerous as large dogs. The only difference is the amount of damage that a dog can inflict.

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