Data collected during the 20-year period, 1979 to 1998, reported 238 dog-bite related fatalities. The breeds most associated with fatalities in this study were:
| Breed |
Known Fatal Attacks |
| Pit bull |
66 |
| Rottweiler |
39 |
| German shepherd |
17 |
| Husky |
15 |
| Malamute |
12 |
| Doberman pinscher |
9 |
| Chow chow |
8 |
| Great Dane |
7 |
| St. Bernard |
7 |
| Akita |
4 |
A more recent study for the three-year period of January 2006 to December 2008 continues to show similar results.
| Breed |
Known Fatal Attacks |
Percentage of Total Fatal Attacks |
| Pit bull |
52 |
59 |
| Rottweiler |
12 |
14 |
| American bulldog |
4 |
5 |
| Husky |
4 |
5 |
| German shepherd |
3 |
3 |
| Doberman pinscher |
2 |
2 |
| Chow chow |
2 |
2 |
| Wolf hybrid |
2 |
2 |
| Labrador |
2 |
2 |
