Elspeth A. Lodge

New York last year set a record for number of dog bites. And joining the usual suspects — pit bulls, Rottweilers — among the city’s Health Department ranking of top five culprits for the most “vicious” breed were some less obviously menacing breeds: the chihuahua and the shi tzu, reports the The New York Post.

So why are these teensy breeds living up to their ankle-biting reputation?

1. “Dogs don’t know how big they are. Whether they are a 5-pound chihuahua or a 100-pound Lab, they act out of instinct,” dog trainer Anthony Jerone tells the New York paper.
2. Smaller dogs have pent-up aggression from being put in provocative situations by their owners. (While larger breeds can’t be toted around in handbags, it’s not unusual to see a smaller breed shopping with its owner, plus, you think they like wearing bows?)
3. “Napoleon complex,” one pet owner tells the NY Post: small dogs learn to be more aggressive to protect themselves from larger breeds.

In fifth place for bitiest dogs? The standard poodle.

National Post

elodge@nationalpost.com