The five most dangerous dog breeds in the UK will probably surprise you.
With a 34 percent increase of police recorded dog attacks in England and Wales over the past five years, it's easy to forget that these guys are supposed to be 'a man's best friend'.
As of 31 December 2023, it is now illegal to breed, sell, advertise, re-home, abandon or allow an American XL bully dog to stray.
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Owners must apply for certificates of exemption, take out third party liability insurance, spay and microchip their dogs and pay £92.40 in fees by the February 2024 to keep the animals.
This comes after a number of brutal American XL bully attacks that took place last year.
One of the most recent incidents ended in tragedy after a 54-year-old man in Sunderland died when he was attacked by a suspected XL bully.
Prior to this, an 11-year-old girl was savaged by an XL Bully in Bordesley Green, Birmingham.
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However, according to figures from Merseyside Police, it seems that the most dangerous dog breed in the UK is pretty unexpected.
The figures are based on number of bites suffered and here are the top five:
5. Rottweiler
Weight: Female: 35–48 kg, male: 50–60 kg
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Height: Female: 56–63 cm, male: 61–69 cm
This domestic dog is known in German as Rottweiler Metzgerhund, named after Rottweil butchers' dogs, as their main use was to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat to market.
4. German Shepherd
Weight: Male: 30–40 kg, female: 22–32 kg
Height: Male: 60–65 cm, female: 55–60 cm
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The German Shepherd was originally bred as a herding dog, for herding sheep. They can be difficult to manage if they lose their temper.
3. Pit Bull Terrier
Weight: Male: 15–27 kg, female: 13–22 kg
Height: Male: 45–53 cm, female: 43–50 cm
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The American XL Bully, many of which have allegedly come to the UK illegally, is thought to have been bred from a number of breeds, including the American Pit Bull Terrier.
This breed was banned in the UK in 1991.
2. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Weight: Female: 11–15 kg, male: 13–17 kg
Height: Female: 33–38 cm, male: 36–41 cm
Although the second dog on the list has been featured in a number of attacks over the years, many have argued that it's due to poor training from owners.
1. Jack Russell
Weight: 6–8 kg
Height: 33–36 cm
That's right, the number one most dangerous dog breed in the UK, based on number of bites suffered, is the teeny weeny Jack Russell.
For what these dogs lack in size, they certainly make up for with aggression.
Because the small terrier was brought up on fox-hunting, if they've not been walked or attended to in a while, they can get rather annoyed.
Lucy Devine