The 10 Strongest Bite Force In Dogs
11.07.2020.
Dogs are the most popular house pets in the world and sometimes we forget that these animals aren’t just our fluffy best friends but they are also animals that share ancestors with wolves and have tremendous biting ability. Indeed, most of our dogs will not attack or bite us if they aren’t mistreated but it is interesting to remember what these animals are capable of.
We bring you the top 10 list of dogs with the strongest bite force but first, we need to say a few things about biting and how it is measured.
How often dogs bite?
Dogs usually don’t bite for no reason and most dog bites happen because dogs were mistreated, frightened, or threatened. Some bites might happen during play but that is what we call “soft bites” as dogs do not use their full bite force. Nevertheless, scratches or some sort of light injury can occur and dogs in the US are responsible for 1% of all emergency room visits. Most dog bites happen to children as they are most likely to approach a strange dog and try to pet them, the dog gets scared and their instinct is to defend themselves and bite.
If you are worried your dog might bite someone, why not get them a muzzle until they finish their training? You can pick different sizes and designs; plus, it is a lot better to be safe than sorry. Check out the Baskerville Ultra Dog Muzzle.
An interesting fact is that you are more likely to get killed by a dog or several dogs than you are from a shark attack.
In the United States alone, dogs are responsible for over 4 and a half million bites per year and an average of 37 deaths. Those deaths are not a direct cause of a dog bite but rather a consequence of infections or rabies.
Are some dogs more likely to bite than others?
There are over 350 dog breeds registered and accepted by various national cynology associations and we can measure and have specific data on these dogs. These breeds range from small ones like the Chihuahua to the giant ones like the Great Dane or the Mastiff. Different breeds were “created” for different purposes and some breeds might have a higher tendency to bite than others.
Guard dogs, Shepherds, or Mountain dogs have been bred for various guard duties, and biting defensively is in their genes. It can be said that those types of breeds are more likely to bite than companion breeds such as the Maltese, Havanese, or a Yorkie.
The tendency to bite can be influenced by many things such as socialization, training, genetics, upbringing, and treatment. Dogs that were mistreated, beaten, or trained for dog fights might have a higher tendency to bite. Do not make a mistake and think that just because the dog is small it won’t bite. Smaller dogs can have a strong biting tendency and luckily, they aren’t able to do as much damage as these dogs that are in the list below.
How is a dog bite measured?
There are many ways to measure a dog bite but the most common way to express how strong is a specific bite is in the PSI units.
PSI is a measuring unit that measures how many pounds of bite force is per square inch.
Top 10 dogs with the strongest bite
This is the list of 10 dog breeds that have the strongest bites according to their measured PSI.
10. Leonberger
This large German dog breed originated in the city of Leonberg in Germany and was created when a German dog breeder wanted to create a breed that would have lion-like features. A lion is the city symbol so it isn’t a huge mystery where he got the idea from.
Scientists that measure bite force managed to get a reading of 399 PSI out of this giant. Luckily for us, these dogs are extremely gentle and cuddly. Even if they do bite, it will most likely be in a game and they will do it very gently and carefully.
9. Wolf and dog hybrid
The Wolfdog shouldn’t come as a surprise on this list as wolves are wild predators with an extremely strong bite. Dogs and wolves are genetically compatible and these two different animal breeds can interbreed. This beautiful crossbreed has a measured bite force of 406 PSI.
Some countries have restricted the ownership of these animals as their nature and character can be quite unpredictable. As a general rule, you should avoid owning wild animals and let them live where nature intended them to live.
8. Dogo Argentino
This Argentinian dog breed were originally kept for hunting and guarding purposes and they had to have a strong bite that will keep the prey caught until the hunters arrived. They are direct descendants of the mighty Cordoba fighting dogs so the Dogo Argentinos 500 PSI bite force shouldn’t surprise us that much.
This breed is placed under “dangerous dog breeds” in some countries so if you are interested in getting one of these dogs make sure that your country doesn’t have any laws or ownership restrictions about these dogs.
7. Presa Canario
The mighty Presa is a famous Canarian dog breed that is the animal symbol of the island of Gran Canaria. These dogs were bred for guarding duties but owners used them for dog fights as well. The Gran Canaria has a long and bloody tradition of dogfighting that lasted until the 1950s when this bloodsport was outlawed. This impressive and beautiful dog breed has a bite force of 540 PSI.
These dogs were formerly known as Perro de Presa Canario, Canarian Mastiff, Dogo Canario, or Canary Catch Dog.
6. Mastiff
This giant English dog breed was carefully bred by English gamekeepers so they can have a canine patrol partner that is fearless and powerful. This is one of the biggest dog breeds in the world and they have a bite force that matches their size. The measured Mastiff bite force is 556 PSI.
Again, luckily, they are a very gentle breed that is great with people and especially children. They are devoted to their family and a bit of a couch potato that enjoys nothing more than to lay in a comfy bed. The only thing they love more than laying around is food.
5. Tosa Inu
This noble and significant dog breed has a rich Japanese heritage and is known as the ultimate fighting dog. They were carefully bred with the sole purpose of creating the best possible fighting dog. In their native Japan, these dogs have nearly a royal treatment and are deeply respected and even worshiped. They are considered the sumo wrestlers of the canine world. The Tosa has a bite force of 556 PSI.
The Tosa Inu is a heavily regulated dog breed whose ownership is completely forbidden or regulated in some countries and regulated in others. They are very dominant and need an experienced owner who will know how to treat and own such a dog.
4. Dogue De Bordeaux
This lovely French breed can seem pretty scary to those that aren’t familiar with the breed. They come from the French town of Bordeaux and are nearly 800 years old. They are descendants of the ancient Molossian dogs that were used as war dogs and guard dogs in the ancient Molossian kingdom.
These dogs have a bite force of 556 PSI, the same as the Tosa and the Mastiff. They have a pretty large skull and have a lot of muscles that help them bite so having such a strong bite isn’t much of a surprise.
3. Cane Corso
The mighty Cane Corso is a direct descendant of the Roman dogs of war and the ancient Molossian dogs. Those dogs were pretty huge and powerful so it is no wonder that modern Cane Corsos have an impressive bite power. These dogs measured a staggering 700 PSI of bite force.
Why not give your dog an exciting toy they can play with and train their bite safely. With the Jax and Bones Anchor Rope Toy, you get a fun toy that is not easily broken. Your strong dog will have hours and hours of fun.
This Italian breed is an excellent guard and watchdog that is devoted and loyal to their family. Owners described them as being extremely affectionate and gentle, especially towards the children.
2. American Bandogge
This breed isn’t yet recognized by many international cynology associations so don’t be surprised if you haven’t heard about them yet. They are a product of crossbreeding the American Bulldog and Mastiffs and were created in the 1960s by an American vet. His goal was to create the ultimate guard dog that is willing to protect you even if that meant dying for you.
It has an impressive bite force of 730 PSI.
1. Kangal
The absolute king and the top of this list is the famous Turkish breed called Kangal. They are the ultimate flock guardian that is used for protecting livestock from predators such as bears, wolves, leopards, and even lions. They were introduced to Africa in the 20th century where these dogs helped in preserving the remaining population of cheetahs. African shepherds started killing cheetahs because they started preying on their livestock so the cheetah preservation society bought and trained 500 Kangals to protect the livestock and drive the cheetahs away.
Our winner has a staggering bite force that measures 743 PSI. They are usually trained to use biting as a last resort but do not get close to the flock the Kangal is guarding.
World Dog Finder team
Share