Around 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs every year — and half of the victims are children. 

That’s a lot of bitting from an animal widely viewed as man’s best friend. And it’s not just the big dog breeds. When people think about dogs that bite, they often conjure up frightening images of Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and other canine breeds that can be aggressive.

But some of the biggest offenders are smaller dog breeds. For some of these smaller canines, biting and barking are common. Chihuahuas, Beagles, and Pomeranians, while often considered harmless lap dogs, aren’t shy about biting humans. So, any dog — big or small.