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Dog Aggression 2025: Here are the 18 breeds of dog most and least likely to become aggressive
We're officially a nations of dog owners, with the UK's most popular pet living in around one-in-three households (and rising).
Some dog breeds are far more likely to display signs of aggression than others. | Canva/Getty Images
That means that there are around three million pooches living here, with more people choosing to join the army of dog lovers every week.
Of course, if you are looking to welcome a dog into your family, there are 221 different breeds of pedigree dog to choose from, alongside numerous crossbreeds , so there's plenty of thinking to do before you select your family's latest addition .
There's even academic guidance to seek out, with Psychologist Stanley Coren's book 'The Intelligence of Dogs' ranking breeds by instincts, obedience, and the ability to adapt.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don't have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
And one thing you might like to consider is that different breeds are known for having different personality traits - including differing levels of aggression.
Before they were domesticated, dogs had to fight for everything from food to territory – so signs of aggression were essential to their survival.
Many of these has been bred out to create the perfect family dogs we know today, but other retain the wilder characteristics.
There can be good reason for this – for example for those used as service or guard dogs – but prospective owners should be aware that this is the case before choosing to welcome a certain dog into their homes.
It should also be said that individual dogs may display attributes that are unusual for their breed, and all dogs have the potential to be aggressive in certain situations.
That said, here are the 18 breeds most and least likely to show signs of aggression.
1 . Labrador Retriever
Starting with the dogs unlikely to have aggressive traits. One of the reasons that the Labrador Retriever is the world's most popular dog is its lack of aggression. Vigorous licking of faces is the main thing to look out for with this good natured breed. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales
2 . Golden Retriever
What's true of the Labrador Retriever is also usually true of close cousin the Golden Retriever. That's certainly true when it comes to levels of aggression. Other than enjoying a nibble of their owners when teething, this is a dog whose main emotion is love and devotion. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales
3 . Basset Hound
It takes serious amounts of energy to be aggressive - reserves that the notoriously lazy Basset Hound will be loath to dip into unless really needed. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales
4 . Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
As puppies, you could be forgiven for mistaking a Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for a suddly stuffed toy. If treated well they present about the same level of danger to humans. | Canva/Getty Images Photo Sales
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