15 Scariest Looking Dog Breeds

The Scariest, Mean-Looking Dog Breeds

Dogs are our ancient companions, and they have proven their loyalty and devotion through the ages. All dogs have their own specialty—some are good as companions, and some are good for protection or are good guard dogs. Some dogs were developed for the protection of humans and livestock from large wild animals. Others were also developed to participate in dog fighting or big games, such as bull baiting and wolf hunting.

All the dogs behave for the purposes for which they were developed, and their personalities match their work. Dogs that were developed for the purpose of hunting, protection, or participating in big games generally look intimidating. In this article, you will learn about 15 dogs that look dangerous and scary.

1. Cane Corso
2. Pit Bull Terrier
3. Tibetan Mastiff
4. Kangal Hound
5. Persian Sharabi Dog
6. Caucasian Mountain Dog
7. Wolfdog
8. Bandogge
9. Presa Canario
10. Mid-Atlantic Boerboel
11. Bully Kutta
12. Tamotsu Akitas
13. American Bully
14. Sarplaninac
15. Rottweiler

1. Cane Corso

The Cane Corso is a giant mastiff dog descended from Molossian war dogs of ancient Rome, also known as Italian Cane Corso or Italian Mastiff. This dog was bred in Italy to be a guard dog to protect livestock and is usually kept as a companion dog. This is a muscular, powerful, fearless dog that was also used to herd cattle and hunt large game. It's an assertive and willful dog that can be dominant and stubborn.

2. Pit Bull Terrier

A Pit Bull Terrier is a hybrid dog breed that was developed in the United States in the late nineteenth century by mixing an English Bull and Terrier dog (a mix between Old English Terriers and Old English Bulldogs) with an American Bully dog. It's recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA) but is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

3. Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan Mastiffs are large, powerful mountain dogs whose traditional purpose was to protect livestock and help with herding. Today, they're one of the most popular dogs in Asian and European countries and have become a trending fashion and status symbol in China, which makes their price quite high.

They are courageous, fearless, tempered, and intelligent dogs and are very loyal to their family and owners but not always very friendly to other pets and strangers. Tibetan Mastiffs are not well adapted to apartment living, but they are excellent door guards.

4. Kangal Hound

The Kangal dog is a giant, powerful, heavy-boned, athletic, muscular build, tall dog that was bred to protect livestock in the Sivas province of Turkey, and it has a very powerful bite. It is alert, territorial, protective, and reserved. There is some controversy about Anatolian Shepherds and Kangals, as many people claim that Kangal Dogs are actually the same as Anatolian Shepherds.

5. Persian Sharabi Dog

Sarabi or Persian Mastiff dogs are giant, powerful, and ferocious dogs native to Iran. They were bred for dog fighting, to protect livestock, and to guard. It’s commonly believed that the Kangal dog is related to Perita’s Persian Mastiff, and they are associated with Alexander’s lion-killer dogs, which were developed from the bloodline of Himalayan Mastiffs. Sarabi dogs are appreciated for their fearless, aggressive nature, powerful muzzle, and sturdiness.

6. Caucasian Mountain Dog

These dogs originate from a Russian region called the Caucasus. They were commonly used to protect flocks as well as premises against wolves, other wild animals, and strangers in the mountains of the Caucasus, which is how they got their name. They are also known by other names like zhaul zhali (Chechen, Ingush).

While they're protective of their families and owners, these dogs can develop challenging behavioral problems and need an experienced owner willing and able to provide consistent, early training. These mountain dogs have powerful muzzles and are courageous, strong, and active.

Often territorial, they are well known for dog fights and wolf hunting. These dogs are strictly not recommended for apartment life, as they need a lot of exercise and early socialization.

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7. Wolfdog

Wolfdogs are the hybrids between domestic dogs and wolves that can be described as a “wolf like a dog” or “dog like a wolf.” Though the dogs are descendants of wolves that were domesticated thousands of years ago, wolves and dogs are not exactly comparable now, and wolves are much smarter and bigger than dogs. Also, they have very powerful bites and better senses of smell.

But wolves have a very high prey drive, and they are not loyal and obedient like dogs. There are many examples of these domesticated wolfdogs or hybrid dogs attacking other pets and small children. Wolf hybrid dogs are not predictable and not reliable with kids and other pets, and they are banned in many countries.

8. Bandogge

The American Bandogs, also known as Bandogge, are strong, muscular, fearless mastiff dogs that were developed in Britain to participate in big games like boar hunting and dog fights.

This breed was developed by mixing a couple of terriers, English Mastiffs, and English Bulldogs. American Bandogs are a further extension of English Bandog. They were developed by American veterinarian John Swinford by mixing English Mastiffs (a Neapolitan Mastiff) with Pitbull Terrier and other American Mastiff Dogs.

9. Presa Canario

The Presa Canario is a large, powerful mastiff-type dog native to Spain that has powerful muzzle and brindle coat. They look very similar to Brazilian Mastiffs (Fila Brasileiro) and are also known as Canary Mastiffs, Canary Dogs, or Dogo Canario.

The Presa Canario was bred to participate in dog fights, guard, and herd in Spain's Canary Islands. This breed was almost extinct, and modern Presa Canario dogs were developed after the 1950s by mixing the existing mix breed Presa Canario dogs with mastiffs and other dog breeds.

10. Mid-Atlantic Boerboel

The Boerboel is a big, strong, and intelligent working dog from South Africa. This is a strong, well-balanced, and muscular dog with short, broad, square, and muscular cheeks. It has a wide, strong black muzzle. Though it has a ferocious look, it is a very reliable, obedient, loving, and intelligent dog that always tries to keep his master happy. The dogs were also used for dog fighting games, for which backdoor breeders developed an aggressive bloodline.

The Mid-Atlantic Boerboels are a variety of Boerboel dogs. The first pup of this variety was born in 2008. These Boerboel dogs are also available in jet black, but Mid-Atlantic Boerboels are not recognized as a separate breed or variety by any major kennel.

11. Bully Kutta

Bully or Bulli Kutta is popular for dog fights because of its giant size and muscular appearance. They are tall, strong, fearless, loyal, protective, and aloof. They are also known as Bulli Mastiff, Sindh Mastiff, Pakistani Mastiff, and Alangu Mastiff.

They got their name from the Hindi/Urdu word bulli, which means "heavily wrinkled," and kutta, which means "dog." Thus, the original name of this breed is Bulli, not Bully. But they are popular as Bully Kutta because, during British colonization, English people found it more convenient to call them bully.

The Bulli Kutta was developed in the Sindh region of India and Pakistan during British rule. They were created by mixing native mastiff-type dogs with English mastiff dogs, which were bought to India by the English.

12. Tamotsu Akitas

Akita Inu dogs are the most popular dogs originating from the mountainous northern regions of Japan. They are also known as Akita Ken, Japanese Akita, Akita, and Great Japanese Dog.

They are well recognized for their loyalty, aggression, and courage. Though the Akita dogs are intelligent, loyal, and devoted dogs, they are aloof and dog-aggressive, which is why they were also used for dogfights. They are dominant and courageous dogs that need early training and a firm owner; otherwise, they may be willful and aggressive.

Akita dogs are available in two different variants: the original Japanese Akita and the American Standard Akita. But in many countries, like America and Canada, both are considered a single breed with variances in type rather than two separate breeds.

13. American Bully

The American Bully is a relatively new dog breed, native to America. This dog is not recognized by AKC (American Kennel Club) but has been recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club since 2004 and by the United Kennel Club since July 15, 2013.

The American Bully Dog was developed as a companion dog by mixing between an American Staffordshire Terrier and other bully and terrier dog breeds. It's basically a wonderful family dog with a laid-back personality, but it's also an aloof and reserved dog, and if not well trained and socialized at an early stage, it can be aggressive and dominant.

14. Sarplaninac

The Sarplaninac, or Sharplanina, is an ancient, large-sized, mastiff-type dog breed that originated from the Sar Mountains or Sar Planina range in the Balkans (formerly known as Yugoslavia). They are intelligent, devoted, stubborn, independent, and protective dogs that were developed to guard livestock in Sarplaninac's mountainous terrain.

15. Rottweiler

The Rottweiler is a medium-to-large or large-sized dog native to Germany, which was known in German as Rottweiler Metzgerhund, meaning "Rottweil butchers' dogs" because it was bred to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat to market.

The Rottweiler is a powerful, courageous, and dominant dog breed that is one of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. and all over the world. But Rottweilers are aloof and reserved dogs that must be well trained and socialized at an early stage; otherwise, they can be aggressive toward other dogs and strangers.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2023 S RAI