Embrace Pet Insurance on Nov. 22, 2025 published a list naming seven dog breeds that experts say can pose heightened risks because of their size, strength or historical roles.

The list, assembled with input from practicing veterinarians and breed data, aims to highlight breeds whose physical power or original purposes—guarding, hunting or livestock protection—can make them more dangerous in certain situations without proper management. In fact, several key trends are shaping dog breed popularity in the United States in 2025, with mixed-breed dogs valued for their unique personalities and more diverse appearances.

Veterinarians who contributed to the piece include clinicians from Embrace Pet Insurance, Dutch and Waggel, and the article relied on breed information from the American Kennel Club. Among purebreds, the French Bulldog and Golden Retriever continue to rank highly among owners, but understanding breed-specific behaviors remains crucial.

Veterinarians quoted in the article emphasized that breed alone does not determine an individual animal’s behavior, representing one perspective in an ongoing debate about breed-specific traits. “There are going to be some members of a breed that are considered aggressive that are perfectly sweet and trustworthy dogs, and some individuals of a non-aggressive breed that can be overly aggressive,” said Chyrle Bonk, DVM of Embrace Pet Insurance. Abel Gonzalez, DVM and clinical director at Dutch, added, “Breed isn’t destiny—training, structure, and trust shape behavior far more than labels ever could.” To promote safe interactions, dog owners can take effective measures such as early socialization and structured training, starting from puppyhood, which can significantly help in guiding proper behavior.

The seven breeds listed and their expert descriptions are:

• Cane Corso — Big dogs that usually weigh 100 pounds or more, intelligent, affectionate, majestic; noted for a guard-dog history that can influence how they behave around others.
• Bullmastiff — Large breed described as gentle giants with family ties: loyal, affectionate and brave.
• Dogo Argentino — Powerful breed originally bred to hunt big game; loyal, courageous and athletic.
• American Bulldog — Strong, muscular breed characterized as loyal and self-confident.
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier — A type of breed often included under the “Pit Bull” category; described as clever, brave and tenacious.
• Rottweiler — Strong and fierce breed noted for loyalty and confidence as a guardian.
• Presa Canario — Stocky breed with a low bark; described as strong-willed, confident and calm.

Several veterinarians who spoke to Parade Pets framed the concern around the physical attributes these breeds share. “They’re powerful, confident dogs bred for farm and guard work,” Gonzalez said, noting those historical roles can affect their instincts. The report also points out that many of the breeds named have strong builds and substantial muscle, which increase the potential for harm when things go wrong. Dog bites are attributed to specific breeds, and how does this affect perceptions of safety.

The article balances those observations with reminders from clinicians that reputations are often shaped by human behavior. “There are some breeds that have been bred for certain duties that require more aggression than others, leading the breed as a whole to be considered more aggressive,” Bonk said, while also noting variability among individuals. Another perspective in the reporting stressed that a breed’s public reputation can stem from misuse by people rather than inherent aggression in the dogs themselves.

Parade Pets published the piece on Nov. 22, 2025 with contributions from veterinarians affiliated with Embrace Pet Insurance, Dutch and Waggel and with reference material from the American Kennel Club. Embrace Pet Insurance’s public materials and trend reports provided supporting context for the veterinarians’ observations. For those considering dog ownership, understanding these statistics alongside proactive training methods is essential.

The list is presented as a tool for readers to understand how breeding history and physical power factor into risk; veterinarians quoted in the story cautioned that individual behavior and human management play decisive roles in outcomes. Readers interested in the insurer’s broader findings can consult Embrace Pet Insurance’s public release.

Parade Pets’ original list remains the source of the breed-by-breed descriptions and the veterinarians’ comments published on Nov. 22, 2025.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.