Dogs are often hailed as man's best friend, celebrated for their unwavering loyalty, companionship, and ability to offer emotional support and physical assistance. Their innate instinct to bond with humans also makes these four-legged friends excellent protectors.

However, some dog breeds have been stigmatised due to negative portrayals in films or high-profile incidents. These animals are often wrongly perceived as dangerous, yet many can be wonderful pets if given proper training and socialisation. With these misconceptions in mind, Puppies.co.uk has revealed which breeds have been unjustly labelled as 'aggressive' and could be overlooked for adoption because of outdated or sensationalised reputations.

The research involved analysing thousands of Facebook and Reddit posts, along with Google searches like "are Rottweilers aggressive?", to determine which breeds are most misunderstood by the public.

To create this list, the data had to include both the breed's name and terms associated with aggression or danger.

While predictable breeds such as Rottweilers, Cane Corsos, and German Shepherds appeared in the top 10, it was surprising to find that even beloved breeds like Dachshunds were also considered among the most misjudged.

A spokesperson for Puppies.co.uk commented on the findings: "When buying a puppy, it's important not to let public opinion shape your understanding of certain breeds.

"Some dogs have developed a bad reputation over the years, but the truth is, any dog, regardless of its breed, has the potential to display aggressive behaviour if it hasn't been properly trained, socialised, or cared for."

"This shows that breed-specific legislation simply doesn't work. Instead of focusing on how a dog looks or what it's called, we should be looking at how it's raised and treated."

They added: "Poor breeding practices, a lack of socialisation, and irresponsible ownership are far more to blame than the breed alone. Not to mention, bans unfairly target responsible dog owners and can even lead to the misidentification of dogs.

"Stronger laws focused on individual behaviour, more support for owners, better education on dog welfare, and increased resources to tackle illegal breeders would have a greater impact on public safety. Every dog deserves the chance to be seen for who they are, not judged by the breed they belong to.

"By shifting the conversation away from fear and towards responsible ownership, we can protect both the public and our pets more effectively."