First and foremost, the most important thing to remember is that any dog is capable of attacking a human and seriously injuring him.Dogs are animals. If they are raised incorrectly, if they are treated poorly, or if a stranger doesn't know how to act around them, accidents can happen and people can get hurt. However, statistics do show that there are certain dangerous dog breeds that may be more likely to bite or attack a human than others. This does not mean that you should go running for the hills every time you see one of these dogs—in fact, most that you encounter will be quite nice and well-behaved. Just be a little more on your guard and be sure to act safely around the dog. This means you should not surprise them, should not get between them and their food or toys, and should not stare directly into their eyes. According to the University of Pennsylvania's Center for the Interaction of Animals in Society, the top dangerous dog breeds include:

• Pitbull
• Rottweiler
• German Shepherd
• Dalmatian
• Chow Chow
• Akita
• Giant Schnauzer
• Papillon
• Dachshund
• Jack Russell Terrier
• Llasa Apso
• Bull Mastiff
• Miniature Pinscher
• Chihuahua
• Old English Sheepdog

The Society did not look at any mixed breeds, so if you encounter a dog that is mixed with one of these breeds, just try to remember to exercise a little more caution. Every dog has its own personality, so remember that not every pooch is going to be the same. If you were injured in a California dog attack, contact the Law Offices of John P. Rosenberg for a free consultation by calling (818) 530-1770. During your call, please request a free copy of our book, .