The contentious topic of dog attacks is mired in a sea of misconceptions and false facts. It’s been said that Chihuahuas are the most prone to bite (an impossible statement to make) or that Pit Bulls have jaws that lock. Both of these statements are false (absolutely not true).
This falsehood persists even with regard to the biting power of certain dog breeds. You may have heard that a certain dog breed has the strongest bite, such as Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, or Rottweilers, or that a certain number represents how hard a dog of that type can bite.
This article examines which breeds have the strongest bites and how hard those bites are (in psi, or pounds per square inch).
How Is the Power of the Bite Measured?
There are a number of various approaches to determining the severity of a dog bite, but the most frequent one is to use a formula that takes into account the dog’s body mass and the dimensions of its jaw.
Using a scientific measuring tool known as a “bite sleeve” is the most reliable method for determining the severity of dog bites. It is a piece of apparatus that is intended to be a bit, and it is able to provide precise readings of the amount of pressure that is applied by a dog.
The majority of individuals, however, do not have the ability or the practicality to evaluate their bite strength using a bite sleeve. It is quite unlikely that the majority of dog owners could coax their pets into biting down on a piece of apparatus, and even if they did manage to do so, it would be difficult to obtain an accurate reading on the amount of pressure that was being applied.
While determining the bite force of the typical dog, it is necessary to take the following factors into consideration:
- The whole amount of the dog’s weight.
- The width of the canine’s lower jaw.
- The kind of ground that the dog is gnawing away at with its teeth.
- The direction in which the dog is biting its victim.
- The degree of abrasion that the surface has.
Strongest Dog Bite By PSI
Rottweiler (328 psi)
Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, and German Shepherds are the three dog breeds that are most frequently thought to have the strongest bites in the canine world. But, the Rottweiler is the breed that truly has the ability to put the greatest force behind each bite it takes. They still very narrowly made it into the top 10 in the overall rankings.
If they are not properly taught and socialized, Rottweilers, who are large and imposing creatures, have the potential to be harmful, particularly against people they do not know. But, this is also a breed known for its clinginess, and keeping a Rottie as a pet might seem a lot like being responsible for a 100-pound baby that screams every time you leave the room.
Leonberger (399 psi)
It may come as a surprise that even shaggy, goofy giants are capable of packing a punch with each bite considering that they are not the most well-known breed, but given their size (they often reach more than 150 pounds), it is not surprising at all. Nevertheless, in contrast to a significant number of the other breeds included on this list, Leonbergers are used mostly in the field of search and rescue rather than in the security or law enforcement industries.
They were actually initially developed to protect cattle, which would have required them to fend off dangerous animals like bears, wolves, and other predators (hence their massive size). Yet, in modern times, they are often utilized as water rescue animals, and all of that strength comes in good when you need to pull a person who is drowning out of a lake.
Dogo Argentino (500 psi)
This South American dog is often mistaken for Pit Bulls and American Bulldogs, despite the fact that they have very few characteristics in common with either breed. The now-extinct Cordoba Fighting Dog was initially used in the breeding of these dogs, along with other huge breeds such as Great Danes, Dogues de Bordeaux, Irish Wolfhounds, and Pyrenean Mastiffs. This led to the creation of a new breed.
A physician called Antonio Nores Martinez was the one who first developed the breed in 1928. Martinez desired an animal that could not only aid him on large game hunts but also guard his house and be a trustworthy and loving friend all at the same time. Martinez wanted an animal that could do all three. As a direct consequence of this, a very sociable breed was created, which is currently often used in the role of therapy dog (although they also do police work on the side).
Presa Canario (540 psi)
The imposing appearance of the Presa Canario, also known as the Spanish Mastiff, has made it a popular breed for centuries. The average weight of these canines is above 150 pounds, and throughout their lengthy history, they have served as guard dogs, war dogs, and even fighting dogs due to their large size. These dogs have the potential to be docile, affectionate, and obedient, but they require a significant amount of training and socialization to maintain those characteristics.
Mastiff de l’Angleterre (English) (552 psi)
Since most kennel groups refer to the English Mastiff as simply “the Mastiff,” this breed is often regarded as the standard for what a dog of the Mastiff type should look like. Yet, this is more likely attributable to the fact that kennel clubs were first established in England than it is to any kind of historical claim to dominance by the breed itself.
While English Mastiffs are capable of inflicting significant pain on a person with their powerful jaws, the majority of the time they choose not to use that ability since they are affectionate and even-tempered dogs. Hence, you won’t see these dogs utilized by armies or police enforcement very often, despite the fact that their imposing size alone makes them potential candidates for the role of excellent security dogs.
Tosa Inu (556 psi)
The Tosa Inu, also known as the Japanese Mastiff, is as massive and menacing as any of its other canine relatives. On the other hand, these dogs have the propensity to be quiet and attentive, in contrast to the comical and lively nature of many other Mastiff-type dogs.
Although Tosa Inus tend to have even temperaments, they nevertheless need a significant amount of socialization and obedience training nonetheless. You should pay special attention to how they behave with other dogs since they have the potential to be aggressive and short-tempered with other dogs that they perceive to be a danger to themselves, their family, or their property.
Dogue de Bordeaux (556 psi)
The Dogue de Bordeaux, often known as the French Mastiff, is a breed of dog that has been around since the 14th century at the very least. On farms, these enormous canines were put to work executing a variety of tasks, including hauling carts and protecting cattle from predators.
This is one of the oldest Mastiff-type breeds on the planet, and many believe they descended directly from the Greek Molossus. The Greek Molossus was a giant war dog that is thought to be the forebear of all modern Mastiffs. This breed is one of the oldest Mastiff-type breeds on the planet.
Cane Corso canine (700 psi)
The next stop on our journey across the Mastiff population of the globe is Italy, home of the Cane Corso, also known as the Italian Mastiff. These dogs used to be quite numerous throughout the nation, but today you can only find them in the southern province of Puglia. In the past, they were much more widespread.
While they typically weigh “only” about 110 pounds, Cane Corsos aren’t nearly as huge as some of the other breeds that belong to the Mastiff subfamily. On the other hand, they often have a great deal greater muscle mass than their relatives, which helps to explain how they are able to put so much power into their bites.
Bandog (730 psi)
It is thought that the Pit Bull Terrier and the Neapolitan Mastiff contributed to the development of this breed, which may also be referred to as the Bandog Mastiff. This breed originated in England probably around the 13th century. Yet, it is quite probable that there is also DNA from other species present, with Bullenbeissers being one of the options that have been suggested the most often.
This breed is very uncommon, and as a result, kennel organizations and other regulatory bodies often do not recognize it. The term derives from the fact that they were “banded up,” which literally means chained, until they were required as guards or war dogs, thus they have a past that is pretty terrifying. In spite of that horrific history, though, this may be an emotionally demanding species; thus, you shouldn’t be astonished if you find yourself with a 125-pound lapdog in your possession.
Kangal (743 psi)
The Kangal, also known as the Kangal Shepherd, is the only breed in the top seven that is not a Mastiff of any kind; instead, this is a Turkish dog whose ancestry is said to have originated in central Asia. It should come as no surprise that their jaws are lethal weapons considering how long they have been employed as herding dogs and how long they have been expected to fend off lions, wolves, bears, and jackals, among other predators.
While they may make fine companions, these dogs have been bred specifically for the purpose of working, and they will never be off duty. They are reserved with outsiders and tend to be overly protective of their family, but if you take the time to properly socialize them, they may become devoted and loving guardians.