A professional dog trainer who’s worked with dogs for more than 30 years has shared the five breeds which have the most consistent “bite histories”, and some may surprise you
A professional dog trainer has revealed the five breeds with the most consistent and “shocking bite histories” – and some might come as a surprise. Across the globe, millions of families choose to bring a dog into their homes, cementing their status as man’s best friend.
However, not every breed is suited to novice or first-time pet owners, and certain owners’ habits have contributed to biting patterns among specific breeds. Casey Ray, a US-based content creator and “dog behaviour expert”, frequently posts videos on YouTube sharing insights drawn from his decades of hands-on experience with animals. In a recent clip, he revealed the top five dogs most likely to bite or nip, while stressing this is seldom the fault of the dogs themselves.
In the caption alongside his video, he wrote: “Today I’m breaking down five breeds that might surprise you – not to shame them, but to help owners understand how environment, structure, genetics, and training all play into a dog’s behaviour.
“These are the breeds that are going to surprise you with shocking bite histories.”
To the camera, the expert emphasised: “It’s none of these breeds’ fault. They’re landing on these lists for reasons that are usually man-made, unfortunately, so let’s not blame the breed.”
5. German shepherd
This “very popular” breed is recognised for its protective nature and unwavering loyalty.
German shepherds are strong, clever, self-assured, brave – and headstrong. Casey described them as a “powerful breed” that’s “becoming more and more unstable as popularity continues to grow”.
He noted this “has been happening for decades now” and when “popularity spikes”, it can lead to a decline in the dog’s overall health and temperament.
The expert stated: “That’s exactly why German shepherds consistently top three in national bite statistics.”
4. Jack Russell terrier
Next on Casey’s list was the small but mighty Jack Russell terrier. This energetic, lively and intelligent dog can be very vocal, stubborn and fearless.
Casey said: “Intense prey drive, volcanic energy, frustration turns into quick snapping. These dogs top these lists for a reason.”
He further added: “They need firm structure most homes can’t maintain.”
3. Cocker spaniel
In third place, Casey listed a “surprise” breed – the cocker spaniel. A very popular dog, they’re known for their happy, energetic nature and are beloved for how gentle and affectionate they are.
Casey explained: “This one surprises a lot of people. This is on the list for a completely different reason.
“This breed gets in trouble because they are so lovable, but they have chronic ear infections. And when these chronic ear infections go unnoticed and they get tugged on by children, guess what happens?”
He continued: “Chronic ear infections equals pain-based biting. So, it’s not their fault. It’s unfortunate.”
Casey concluded by saying “poorly bred lines” can exacerbate the issue, leading to a dog that’s more prone to snapping.
2. Border collie
A medium-sized herding dog, border collies are intelligent, energetic, loyal, athletic and tenacious.
Casey explained: “They’re getting themselves into trouble because there’s no outlet for all that energy.
“You can’t bring a border collie into your family situation, have little ones running around and you not have the proper outlet for that border collie where it understands the proper outlet.
“It’s going to hurt the whole house. Nipping heels, that’s what’s contributing to their bites. But if it breaks skin, it’s got to be reported and there’s another bite statistic.”
The expert also noted they’re “highly sensitive to unpredictable energy” which can trigger nipping and bites, while their natural herding instincts can leave them feeling unfulfilled and frustrated in certain household settings.
1. Chihuahua
Taking the top spot, Casey named the chihuahua. This tiny breed is among the smallest in the world.
They’re popular due to their assertive, lively and devoted personalities.
Casey said: “These guys are overprotected with zero boundaries. They’re fear reactive, they’re easily stressed.
“They’re being picked up instead of trained – they’re not accessories. These are still dogs. They carry the same pack mentality as a 200lb dog.”
The expert highlighted that unwanted behaviours such as nipping and reactivity in chihuahuas is frequently rewarded, which signals to the dog to carry on behaving in that way.
He further stated: “If people would just put these dogs on the ground, enrol them into some training, treat them like a dog, they’re a phenomenal breed, but until that happens, they have the highest bite rate per capita [in the US].”