5 Dogs With a Bad Rep Who Are Actually Great Pets!

Certain breeds of dogs continually get a bad reputation as pets time and again. Much of this has to do with the way they are portrayed in movies, such as Cujo, and news reports of maulings. Another contributing factor is the dog fighting industry and those who train dogs to be violent. Abandoned dogs can often turn feral, resulting in a bad reputation for the whole breed as well. While there is a variety of reasons a dog can turn vicious, they are reasons that can apply to any breed at any time. Outside of an illness such as rabies, or abuse, dogs do not usually turn violent without provocation. Proper training can make even the strongest dog docile and obedient. Sadly, there are five breeds of dogs that have bad reputations but actually make loyal, loving pets. The following is a list of the five breeds of dog most often given a bad reputation.

1 - Pit Bulls

Is there anyone who hasn’t heard some pit bull horror story? Pit bulls have been villainized for years because of their wide use in dog fighting rings. The truth is, these dogs are as friendly and lovable as any breed if they are raised correctly. They are loyal and gentle with infants and children. Most pit bulls just want to curl up with their owner after a long day.

2 - Rottweiler

Rottweilers are very strong-willed dogs which is partially to blame for their bad reputation. Owners of this breed must take the time to develop a powerful bond with their dog. They can easily run roughshod over anyone who doesn’t dominate them. Their size alone can be intimidating to other people. They are another dog that have often been used in dog fighting and people associate them with biting and violence.

3 - German Shepherd

People buy these dogs to serve as watchdogs because they are intimidating and strong. They have strong personalities and need an owner who is also strong. They are energetic and like to run and play. They are highly intelligent and used in police work and border patrol for that reason. They are so easily trained many people take advantage of that and train them to attack people. Seeing these dogs in an official capacity attacking a criminal can lead to a scary reputation.

4 - Doberman Pinscher

Many people fear Dobermans because of their portrayal in movies and TV as fang-baring monsters. Their large, sleek bodies can be frightening but they are as friendly as any other breed when they aren’t mistreated. Usually timid, their bad reputation is usually based solely on their intimidating looks, especially with the tail docked and ears cropped. Many older Nazi films showed this breed as vicious attack dogs, helping to start the myth of their danger.

5 - Husky

Huskies have a strong predatory instinct and can be dangerous to some small animals. However, that’s also true of many other breeds which had a history of helping hunt rodents or small game. Instincts do live on. They are also very intelligent and if not properly trained, can become bored and destructive. Huskies need a lot of attention to keep under control. These dogs are very loyal and protective as well as being good hunters. Such strong qualities can be frightening to people who do not understand the breed.