London (PTI): Move over chow chows, bulldogs, rottweilers and papillions. The yappy little dachshunds, also known as sausage dogs, are the most aggressive breeds in the world, a new study has revealed.

Researchers have found that one in five sausage dogs have bitten or tried to bite strangers, a similar number have attacked other canines and at least one in 12 have snapped at their owners.

Dachshunds are short-legged and elongated dog breed of the hound family. The breed's name is German and means 'badger dog'. They are playful, fun dogs, known for their propensity to chase small animals and tennis balls with great ferocity.

What's interesting is the study found chihuahuas, an even smaller breed, to be the second most hostile, regularly snapping or attempting to bite strangers, family and other dogs, followed by the Jack Russell.

According to lead researcher Dr James Serpell of the University of Pennsylvania, smaller breeds might be more genetically predisposed towards aggressive behaviour than larger dogs.

"Reported levels of aggression in some cases are concerning, with rates of bites or bite attempts rising as high as 20 per cent towards strangers and 30 per cent towards unfamiliar dogs," 'The Daily Telegraph' quoted him as saying.

The researchers came to the conclusion after analysing the behaviour of 33 breeds of dogs and questioning over 6,000 canine owners.

Breeds scoring low for aggression included Basset hounds, golden retrievers, labradors, Siberian huskies and greyhounds. The rottweiler, pit bull and Rhodesian ridgeback scored average or below average marks for hostility towards strangers, the study found.

The findings have been published in the latest edition of the 'Applied Animal Behaviour Science' journal. However, the findings have angered owners of small breeds, who are refusing to buy the researchers' arguments.

"As far as breeders in the UK are concerned, this is rubbish. It is not in the dogs' nature. I have never been bitten in 25 years," Chris Moore, Secretary of the Northern Dachshund Association, said.