Experts and vets warn behaviour of lockdown puppies is ‘down to the owner’ – with Jack Russells, Chihuahuas, chow chows and even cockapoos among most problematic
- A veterinary nurse said that ‘lockdown puppies’ tend to be the most problematic
They might be some of the most sought after dogs in the world, but these unlikely breeds can still be vicious despite their adorable visage.
The Chihuahua, the Jack Russell Terrier and the Cockapoo are among the most popular pooches in the UK but vets say they are often prone to lashing out – even at their owners.
It comes amid countless cases of horrific dog attacks by XL Bullies in recent months which have seen victims mauled to death or left with permanent scars. One tragic incident just days ago saw a 52-year-old father savagely killed by two XL Bullies after he tried to defend his mother from the animals.
Now owners of XL Bullies are asking vets to change the breed their dog is registered under and ‘inundating’ animal shelters with requests to home their pets – as the breed is set to be banned by the end of the year.
But experts and vets have warned that the behaviour of dogs is ultimately down to the owner and not necessarily about the breed.
One veterinary nurse told MailOnline pets which can behave aggressively when brought into the practice include Jack Russells, West Highland terriers, Chihuahuas, dachshund, Shar-peis, chow chows, border collies, Belgian shepherds, husky dogs, Alaskan malamutes and cockapoos.
Experts and vets have warned that the behaviour of dogs is ultimately down to the owner and not necessarily about the breed. Pictured: A Shar-Pei
She said: ‘We are increasingly finding that so-called ”lockdown puppies” tend to be the most problematic.
‘Puppies that are not well socialised are more likely to exhibit behavioural problems like aggression and fearfulness.
‘They are unable to engage in social interactions with humans so retaliate.’
They added: ‘Puppies’ socialisation and habituation is crucial and can wear off before they are six months of age, if not reinforced regularly.
‘Obviously, a negative experience can also change a dog’s behaviour.’
The veterinary nurse added that dog breeds which tend to be the most friendly include cocker spaniels, Staffordshire bull terriers, Labradoodles, pointers, Labradors, vizslas and schnauzers – but there is never a full guarantee and it will often depend on the environment in which the dog is raised and trained.
Could YOU have predicted these unlikely aggressive dog breeds?
1. Chow Chow
One of the fluffiest dog breeds in the world, the Chow Chow is popular in the UK due to its cute and expensive-looking exterior.
Originally from northern China, these dogs are known for a very dense double coat that is usually soft to touch.
But this breed has a history of vicious attacks, such as in September 2020, when a newborn baby was mauled to death by a Chow Chow Alsatian cross at his home in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
The Chow Chow is becoming increasingly popular in the UK but has been known to get violent
Elon Ellis-Joynes was 12 days old when he suffered 40 puncture wounds during the attack from a Chow Chow Alsatian cross (pictured)
Elon Ellis-Joynes was 12 days old when he suffered 40 puncture wounds during the attack, which happened when his mum Abigail Ellis nipped to the toilet.
Elon’s father Steven Joynes pleaded guilty in December 2021 to a charge of being the owner of a dog which caused death when dangerously out of control.
In another attack, a Chow Chow nipped a police officer’s hand after he was taken out from underneath a car in 2018.
2. Jack Russell Terrier
One of the smallest of dog breeds, the Jack Russell can be feisty and is known to be protective over its territory.
They were originally bred to bolt foxes from their dens during hunts so are fast and fully of energy.
Last year a dog owner died of sepsis after being nipped by his Jack Russell while feeding it.
Mark Jones, 61, from Denbighshire, was bitten on his thumb by the dog – named Lili Little Legs – in December 2022.
The retired journalist died three days later after developing severe sepsis, the BBC reported.
The Jack Russell can be feisty and is known to be protective over its territory
READ MORE: Panic over XL Bully ban: Worried owners put their pets up for sale for up £1,300 and beg vets to re-register them as ‘Staffies’ – while shelters are inundated with requests
In 2019 a Jack Russell jumped up and latched onto a postman’s groin as he delivered a parcel, leaving him needing hospital treatment.
The 10-year-old dog, called Stanley, was saved from being put down after a court heard he had never attacked anyone before, LeicestershireLive reported.
And Stephen Pollard recently reported that his beloved family Jack Russell bit his mother’s face off, warning that it is not just XL Bully’s that can be dangerous.
3. Corgi
Famous for its popularity with the late Queen Elizabeth II, the Corgi is thought to be a gentle breed but has shown aggression in the past.
Originally bred to be herding dogs, family companions and guardians of the farm, they are generally loyal and can make excellent companions.
But the late monarch’s beloved dogs reportedly bit staff and even the Queen herself – so much so that she had to receive three stitches.
Writer and historian Hannah Rose Woods took to Twitter last year after scrolling through a Wikipedia entry for the Queen’s corgis titled ‘Victims’.
‘I did not expect the Wikipedia entry for the royal corgis to become this horrifying,’ she tweeted.
Famous for its popularity with the late Queen Elizabeth II, the Corgi is thought to be a gentle breed but has lashed out in the past. Pictured: The late Queen with her corgi
The late monarch’s beloved dogs reportedly bit staff and even the Queen herself – so much so that she had to receive three stitches
According to the page, the Queen and her royal staff were nipped by the corgis on several occasions.
Another woman had to send her Corgi to dog detention camp after it bit a Collie belonging to the lady who looked after him, The Telegraph reported.
4. Border Collie
Renowned for their intelligence, one border collie was ordered to be put down in 2017 after biting a little boy who tried to cuddle it.
The toddler urgently needed plastic surgery after he was bitten on the face when he tried to stroke the dog.
The 21-month-old boy was attacked when he approached the animal in Hornsea while out walking with his grandparents in the town, HullLive reported.
This highly intelligent breed is born with an instinct to work and needs a lot of exercise – so can rebel if kept indoors without enough stimulation.
They are typically kept by farmers as herding dogs, earning the nickname ‘sheepdogs’.
They are also often used as a mountain-rescue or sniffer dog.
Renowned for their intelligence, border collies are typicaly kept by farmers as herding dogs
5. Beagle
The beagle was developed mainly for hunting hare, an act known as ‘beagling’.
They possess a great sense of smell and have superior tracking instincts to other breeds.
One woman said she was ‘scarred for life’ after she was mauled by her friend’s Beagle while visiting their house in 2019.
Amanda Busby, 42, from Corby, Northamptonshire, had only been there for a few minutes when she was attacked by the little dog.
She was left with a ravaged face that would be permanently scarred, The Sun reported.
A woman said she was ‘scarred for life’ after she was mauled by her friend’s Beagle while visiting their house in 2019 (File image)
6. Golden Retriever
Known for being one of the most placid dog breeds in the world, even Golden Retrievers have had their moments of aggression.
A man was brutally attacked by a golden retriever in a park las year as he rescued his puppy from being mauled by the big dog.
Jamie Nicholson was left in urgent need of stitches and a tetanus jab after the animal mauled chunks of flesh from his hand in the incident at the Jock Stein Centre Park in Hamilton in May 2022, GlasgowLive reported.
Known for being one of the most placid dog breeds in the world, even Golden Retrievers have had their moments of aggression
7. Chihuahua
Chihuahua’s may be tiny, but they have been known to lash out – especially at people’s ankles.
The small dogs can have an attitude and can bite when they feel threatened.
According to Petplan, they can be prickly around strangers because they like to have all of their owner’s attention for themselves.
They are seen as ‘a big dog in a small dog’s body’ and can be protective and vocal if not well socialised.
Chihuahua’s may be tiny, but they have been known to lash out – especially at people’s ankles
8. Dachshund
Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers, so it is natural to expect them to be quite aggressive.
Dachshunds who are not socially trained could lash out or be unfriendly to strangers.
The dogs have a tendency to be noisy and ‘standoffish with strangers’.
Whilst they are not aggressive by nature, Dachshunds’ feisty personalities can come across to some as unfriendly.
Dachshunds were bred to hunt badgers, so it is natural to expect them to be quite aggressive
9. Husky
There are varying breeds of husky, with the Siberian most common. The dogs have a strong prey drive so don’t always work well with other pets around the home.
They suffer from separation anxiety and can become destructive if left alone and are better suited to people with active lifestyles and who spend a lot of time outdoors.
A babysitter told how she feared she would die when her friend’s Siberian husky dog savaged her face and arms in a brutal 45 minute attack in 2019.
Mother Rachel Anderson was looking after her friend Adel Johnson’s two young children in Birmingham last Boxing Day when dog Storm attacked.
The massive animal locked its jaws on her face, before pulling her to the floor and dragging her into the kitchen.
A babysitter told how she feared she would die when her friend’s Siberian husky dog savaged her face and arms in a brutal 45 minute attack in 2019 (File image)
Rachel Anderson (pictured) was looking after her friend Adel Johnson’s two young children in Birmingham last Boxing Day when dog Storm attacked
It savaged her arm for 45 minutes while the mother-of-two screamed in agony, fearing she’d never make it out alive.
It was only when one of the children stabbed the hound with a knife on the counter that she was able to get free and call police who shot the dog dead.
10. Cockapoo
One of the cutest breeds of designer dog, the Cockapoo, is generally known to be gentle but can attack when angry.
There is a genetic condition that can affect this breed called rage syndrome – a serious behavioral problem which makes a dog act very aggressively.
Petplan warns the breed can become restless if left alone for too long, while adult cockapoos have lots of energy and will need at least 30 minutes of exercise twice daily to stay healthy and stimulated.
There is a genetic condition that can affect Cockapoos called rage syndrome
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