Toughest dog breeds often feature incredible strength, powerful bites, and endurance, with top contenders including the Kangal (highest bite force), English Mastiff, and Saint Bernard (massive build/pulling power) for sheer power, while breeds like the German Shepherd, Rottweiler, and Siberian Husky are renowned for intelligence, athleticism, and resilience, making them tough in different ways. Other strong breeds include the Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Cane Corso, and Alaskan Malamute, all known for their formidable physical capabilities, requiring experienced owners.
The primary dog breed used by U.S. Navy SEALs is the Belgian Malinois, prized for their intelligence, agility, and intense drive, making them ideal for high-stakes missions like those involving parachuting and stealth infiltration, though German Shepherds and other breeds are also utilized, notes navyseals.com. These dogs, known as Combat Assault Dogs (CADs), are highly trained special ops experts, capable of performing complex tasks alongside their handlers, explains the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum.
Here are some of the most difficult dog breeds for first-time owners.
1. American Pit Bull Terrier. The American Pit Bull Terrier is considered one of the most dangerous dog breeds—both in the U.S. and internationally. It is a very aggressive breed and has been known to attack and kill people.
15 Most Dangerous Dog Breeds (Weight and Bite Force)
The "heartbreak breed" typically refers to the Great Dane, nicknamed this due to their loving nature combined with a significantly shorter lifespan (around 7-10 years) and predisposition to serious heart issues like Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). Other breeds, like the Bernese Mountain Dog, are also called "heartbreak" dogs because of high cancer risks, while some owners find giant breeds or those with specific conditions, like Cavaliers and Pugs (heart issues), or Irish Wolfhounds (DCM), heartbreaking due to their health and mortality, despite their sweet disposition.
The Border Collie is widely recognized as the dog breed with the highest "IQ," consistently ranking first in intelligence studies for their exceptional ability to learn commands quickly (under 5 repetitions) and obey them (95%+ of the time). Other top breeds include the Poodle, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, and Doberman Pinscher, all known for their trainability and problem-solving skills.
According to this study, the naughtiest dog breed is (drum roll please) the Japanese Spitz, with 86.67 hashtags or mentions noting unruly behavior. For those who haven't heard of this breed, they are tiny little white marshmallow fluff-balls who are cousins to the Pomeranians.
Dog Breeds Most Likely to Bite
SAS dog saves the lives of six elite soldiers in Syria by ripping out jihadi's throat while taking down three terrorists who ambushed British patrol. Members of Britain's Special Air Service have a highly trained Belgian Malinois to thank for turning the tables on their would-be executioners.
Own Your 3-Foot Space In Navy SEAL training, there's a simple but profound principle: Own your 3-foot space. It means focusing on what's directly within your control—your actions, your attitude, your effort—no matter how chaotic the environment around you becomes.
German Shepherds
They are intelligent and affectionate around adults and children, alike, but will stand up to threats from strangers. German Shepherds are commonly used by the police force as executive protection dogs and perform tasks such as bomb and drug detection.
Bravest Dog Breeds
18 Friendliest Dog Breeds
The Top 10 Strongest Dog Bite Forces
10 top naughty dog breeds
Some breeds are more likely than others to develop ADHD, namely terrier breeds (particularly Cairns and Jack Russells), and German Shepherds.
The Top 10 Hardest Dogs to Train
Most loyal dog breeds are good family dogs, though some might be better suited for older children.
Popular Dog Breeds That Get Along Well with Kids
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
The 12 Most Abandoned Dog Breeds: These Pups Are Most Likely To Be Found In Shelters
Dachshund: The Tenacious Sausage Dog
Bred as brave hunters, Dachshunds carry a feisty temperament. And it extends to their home life. Their jealousy is rooted in an incredible loyalty that can quickly shift into possessiveness over what they consider "theirs.” And of course, it includes their owner's time.