In many parts of BC, dog ownership is prevalent among homeowners. Some even see their dogs as part of the family or protectors of the house, adding to the home’s security and safety. However, many do not realize that dog ownership (along with other pets) can also become a liability. Read on to learn more about how dogs can actually increase some risks for owners and what some riskier dog breeds are known to be.

Dog Bites Can Kill

Dog bites are a serious thing. Canada even has a “dangerous dog” law around dog bites and many public education websites on the topic, such as DogsBite.org and others. They may seem relatively harmless to some, but the fact is that dogs can seriously hurt or even kill humans and other animals. A study found approx. 4.5 million dog bites occur in the US annually, with 800K resulting in medical care. They not only pose some risks to other animals, but pets can also increase liability risks for owners.

Dog Bites Can Increase Home Insurance Costs

Some insurance companies consider pets on the property, but many do not. No matter what, you could be found liable if you have a dog on your property and they end up biting someone! This could result in a claim needing to be dealt with and your home insurance premiums going up.

Train Your Dog No Matter What The Breed

Before we get into what some of the riskiest dogs are known, it’s important to remember that training your dog should be a priority no matter the breed. Training your dog to sit, leave it, play gently, and heel or stay close even when distractions come around can help control the risk of someone getting hurt from your pup.

The Riskiest Dog Breeds for Home Insurance

Although there are many dog breeds and mixes, some specific dog breeds have the reputation of being more aggressive or protective and have a higher chance of biting someone.

Pit Bulls

Unfortunately for Pit Bull lovers, this is one of the breeds most known to bite, hurt, or kill others – by a long shot. An article published last year found that there were 43 total deaths from dogs in 2018, and 80% of them were by Pit Bulls.

Rottweilers

Also part of the molloser category of breeds, Rottweilers are often grouped in with Pit Bulls as one of the most dangerous. The Clifton study puts Rottweilers right below Pit Bulls and states that “pit bulls and Rottweillers are dogs who not only must be handled with special precautions but also must be regulated with special requirements” because of their risk.

German Shepherds

Taking the #3 spot for riskiest dog breeds for dog bites are German Shepherds. They are often found in the mix of dog bite stats, and one study found that there were 113 attacks by German Shepherds between 1982-2014 in the US.

Bullmastiffs

Also often in the mix of dog bite stats are “mastiffs” or Bullmastiffs. There were just about the same amount of dog bites from Bullmastiffs as there were German Shepherds, with 111 attacks tracked in the US during that same time period.

Mixed Breeds

Unfortunately for dog “rescuer” fanatics who could only ever think about adopting a dog from a kennel instead of a breeder, mixed breeds are also known to be in the mix of species that bite. This is especially true if the dog is mixed with a Pit Bull or any other dog breeds mentioned above.

Find Insurers That Do Not “Dogscriminate”

Again, many home insurance providers do not consider pets in a home when issuing home insurance. However, some do. If you have many pets or any riskier dog breeds above, you may want to avoid working with insurers who discriminate against pets. Working with an independent insurance broker like Harbord can help you choose the best provider for you.

Contact Harbord For A Quick Free Quote

If you have more questions about how pet ownership may affect home insurance or if you’re looking for home insurance providers who will not mind the pets you have, we encourage you to contact us here at Harbord today for a free no-obligation quote! We’d be happy to answer any questions you have while working with you to find the best insurance coverage that works for you and your family. Contact us at 1.844.544.4663 and see for yourself what makes us Harbord – The Home Insurance People™!