Background Dogs are a potential source of several health hazards for humans. Global public attention has recently focused on bites and other canine aggression, but few data in China. Our study aims to estimate the prevalence of dog-induced injuries and to identify possible risk factors in the two cities with different population and development level.

Methods A cross-sectional survey of 9380 children from middle size city, Shantou and super city, Shenzhen in Guangdong province, was conducted in 2015. A self-administered questionnaires was used to collect participant’s information on socio-demographics and injury occurrence. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the individual and family factors associated with odds of dog-induced injuries.

Results Among 9380 children, the range of age was 6–20 (12.85 ± 3.29 ), and 50.5% were male. 1413 (15.1%) children reported they had been injured by dog, In the two areas, 18.1% of children had been injured by dog in Shenzhen and 11.7% was attacked in Shantou (x² = 75.03, P < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression results for all children showed dog-induced injury was associated with middle-school age (OR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.71–2.74), living in rural area (OR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.93–3.19), being fond of animals (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.09–1.91), poor academic performance (OR:1.54, 95% CI: 1.28–1.85), both parents working outside (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.17–1.72) and dog owner (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.40–2.21). The dog-induced injury rate was no significant difference among boys and girls. Moreover, hierarchical multiple regression analysis were conducted by different city, showed increased risk of non-only child, poor academic performance and dog owner were significant only in Shantou (middle size city), while middle-school age, living in rural area and mother working outside only in Shenzhen(super city).

Conclusions Dog-induced injuries have become a pressing public health problem among Chinese children. Strategies targeting the risk factors may be effective for the prevention of injuries by dogs. We should pay more attention to left-behind children in rural areas who parents working outside to big cities.