With your essay in mind, here's a list compiled by 'Animal People'
http://www.dogbitelaw.com/Dog%20Atta...%20Clifton.pdf
They state that 65% of the deaths were caused by pit bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canarios and their mixes. They classify people with my particular views on dog bites as 'stubborn,' which I am, but then there are so many other circumstances that increase the potential for people getting bitten by 'strange dogs' that multiply the incidents occurring.
Having a large family-oriented dog that perceives a stranger encroaching on its territory as 'defending its home' is deemed irrelevant for the purposes of their study. Whether the poor dog who is amazing with children and bad with someone else coming into their yard without acquiescence is not taken into account.
Though only approx. 800k dog bites are reported each year it is estimated that there are around 4.7 million dog biting incidents that occur. I've personally been bitten more by small uppity dogs than by the breeds that are typically vilified, but then maybe I know better than to waltz into a yard with a dog I haven't met without permission. On the other hand, I was at a friend's house yesterday and his dog was freaking out on me no matter what I did, snapping and barking defensively despite prostrating myself on the floor and getting to his level and speaking gently. This same dog has jumped into my lap on a prior occasion and fawned for attention repeatedly. Just as dealing with anybody else you'll meet, you never know how they'll react with each encounter. Best to carry a few snausages in the car!
Good luck with your essay.