What a beautiful puppy- congratulations! I hate to say it here but I love dogs more than birds. If I had to choose between my Geronimo (chow/shep/rottie X) or Hane (IRN), I would choose Geronimo without hesitation. Not that I don't love Hane, but he doesn't love me as much as Geronimo does.
And so, because I am a dog person...
In the States the most common breed registered for bites is the Labrador Retriever.
Why? Because so many people are fed the 'they're great for kids' line and they convince themselves the dog is self-trained. Now, perhaps labs aren't known for mauling or killing humans as some other breeds are. But lets take a moment to look at "aggressive breeds" and the people that own them.
Typical aggressive breeds list:
'Pit Bull' (a misnomer as the American Pit Bull Terrier is actually a specific breed; dogs considered to be 'pit bulls' by media, legislators, and insurance companies: American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, sometimes Bull Terriers and American Bulldogs)
Wolf-dog (formerly called wolf-hybrids but dogs have been genetically recatagorized as being a sub-species of the wolf and listed as
Canis lupus familiaris)
Presa Canario
Argentine Dogo
Rottweiler
Akita
Doberman Pinscher
German Sheperd
Chow Chow
Boxer
Mastiff
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Bernese Mountain Dog
Great Dane
Siberian Husky
Alaskan Malamute
What kind of person gets these dogs in general?
1. Those who want a fighting dog.
2. Those who want a dog for protection.
3. Those who want a big, impressive dog.
4. Those who didn't do research/impulse buyer.
A very, very small number might do research beyond the size and grooming requirements of the dog they're thinking of. (by now you may realize I have a very jaded and cynical view of many dog owners, part of this comes from working at a dog shelter)
Fighting dogs are taught to kill through a regimen of physical abuse, isolation, starvation, and baiting. Puppies that aren't large or aggressive are used as bait, as are small animals such as rabbits. While a puppy may be born with an aggressive tendency, it isn't automatic for it to kill- that has to be taught. You can teach a dog to be aggressive unintentionally; usually by not socializing your puppy properly and never giving it rules to follow as a lower rank in your family. There is no such thing as a genetic defect that causes a dog to 'turn' on you or others. Just bad training and bad supervision.
Protection dogs are taught to attack only on command and to release (when properly trained) also on command. Generally they are taught only to restrain a person, not kill. Ordering a trained dog to attack is considered assault with a deadly weapon here in the States. All dogs have a protection instinct. Even your teacup poodle and golden retriever. They protect their property and pack by alerting you to potential trouble- AKA barking. Some are inborn with a more powerful instinct, such as the Akita. But they only use physical protection when they feel there is real danger to you. It is the owners reponsibility to train the dog what is and isn't dangerous. In my book, these are the most dangerous dogs in the wrong person's hands. Many get these dogs and let the dog decide what danger means on his own. That is when you get a dog attacking the neighbor when ringing your doorbell.
Big, impressive dogs are obtained only for their looks by many. They brag about how big their dog will be full grown and never give thought to the fact this dog will be bigger and stronger than me, maybe I should train it now when it's little. Any dog stronger than you means you will be totally reliant upon mental domination when it is an adult. A strong mind and perfect consistancy in training is required. Very few dog people I know can handle these breeds.
If someone is getting a dog for any of the above reasons, he/she may very likely end up with a dog that could maul or even kill.
Now, for my favourite, the impulse buyer. This person went to the pet store for a guppy or was walking to the bus stop and comes home with a puppy. This person has no idea what the dog requires for feeding, much less good mental health and training. I can't be too mean, I know many who read this may have gotten their first dog this way and now you're great dog people- but you must agree, that's not the way to do it.
I've personally wrestled with all the so-called "pit" types and a Presa Canario. The Presa had no manners and at his full grown weight of 125lbs barrelled by me so I grabbed him by his hips and swung him back into his kennel. He also had a jumping problem. When a dog that big slams into you, you take notice. If he were allowed to continue being dominant over humans, there would be a problem in the future with aggression if anyone ever stood up to him. So I became his trainer and he got the rules every dog gets from me- no jumping (this applies to ALL dogs, chihuahuas too), no stepping on me, when I say move you move, no eating till I say so, I'll tell you to sit just for the fun of it at random times, I go through doors first, walks are for me- not you- and you're just tagging along beside me, etc. Basically, I'll treat a dog like- wonder of all wonders- a dog!
Our dogs are german shep/chow/rottie mix (three of the breeds considered 'dangerous'), australian shep, sheltie mix, and mini daschund. Would they attack someone who comes into our yard? They might. Every dog bites. I've known more aggressive chihuahuas than any other breed, one even tried to attack my dog. There's a yorkie I know that will run through it's invisible fence to attack the neighbor's corgi. Is that because they are "aggressive breeds"? Or is it just bad training? There was a small dog a few years ago that tore a chunk of ear off a baby. Was that aggression or just bad training?
Bottom line is- EVERY dog can bite or kill. Breed doesn't matter.
(edited to make it a little nicer. I was in a very cynical and bad mood when originally posted...)