Which Dog Has The Strongest Bite? Interesting Facts You May Not Know

Supriya Jain
Sep 01, 2023 By Supriya Jain
Originally Published on Nov 24, 2021
Edited by Lara Simpson
Fact-checked by Nishtha Dixit
Rottweiler puppy having fun in a park.

Dogs could be a person's closest devoted companion, but dog bites can often be deadly.

Dogs and humans have an interesting bond that traces its origins roughly back to 15,000 years. Dogs became the first tamed animal.

As a result, dogs were utilized in various work areas by their greatest pals, humankind, across history. They might be kind and massive, tiny & aggressive.

Dog bites may occur with just about any specific breed of dogs; however, several dog breeds are resent that are more prone to attack and often deliver a powerful dog bite. It's therefore critical to understand the biting force of a specific type of dog.

Dr. Brady Barr from Nat Geo released the findings of his research, Dangerous Encounters, aimed to determine whether the trained dogs or perhaps the untamed wolf would have the strongest jaws as well as the most lethal bite. Unsurprisingly, a wolf would have the most destructive bite, registering 406 psi.

PSI is an abbreviation of pounds per square inch, a measurement used to quantify pressure applied at a particular position.

PSI is a pressure monitoring response produced per square inch across each pound. Force varies depending on the dog breed, whatever it bit, as well as the dog's mood.

After reading about which breed of dog has the strongest bite, also check out easiest dog breeds to train and fastest dogs.

List Of Dogs With The Strongest Bite

While determining which dog breed packs the strongest bite, please consider that you cannot conclude absolutely throughout the range.

The power of the dog's bite differs even within a specific breed and even across breeds; biting intensity could also vary owing to a particular dog's personality and the factors causing the bite, such as young age or lack of mental stimulation.

The ranking below is prepared from least biting force to deadliest; nonetheless, please remember that the strength of bite forces mentioned below can not always be determined because it varies on various conditions.

Belgian Malinois: The Belgian Malinois is a dog breed that is frequently used as a service dog by the security forces. This dog, nicknamed the 'malinator' by its masters, is proven to possess a hard bite as part of its mandate and in Internationale Prüfungs-Ordnung (IPO).   Interestingly, the biting strength of the Malinois was just 195 psi.

English Bulldog: Despite having smaller bodies than most dogs through this listing, these canines are known for having amazingly enormous heads. Across history, a Bulldog has served as Britain's national symbol.

Within U. S., this breed serves the role of a mascot for several sports groups, notably ones promoting Yale University. Its biting strength was discovered to be 210 psi.

Chow Chow: A Chow Chow was raised initially as a service dog and a security dog in old Chinese rulers' castles. Chows that have been well-socialized were seldom fierce or hard to control and, therefore, frequently described as kind and graceful.

They are shy with strangers yet committed to those dear to them. Chows remain placid & adaptable, unlike many breeds available, and they would thrive in the metropolis. The Chow Chow, a breed noted for being apprehensive of outsiders, has a biting force rating of 220 psi.

Dutch Shepherd: Albeit not prevalent in the United States, the Dutch Shepherd is still a reputable breed among both army personnel and police duties and search & rescue along with livestock. They're noted for needing a lot of activity, which is probably since their primary tasks were maintaining herds of sheep.

The above breed packs psi of 224, close to that of a German Shepherd.

Doberman: A Doberman is among the German breeds developed in the late 18th century. This gentle giant breed is a cross between the Weimaraner, Manchester Terrier,  the Beauceron, the German Pinscher, and the Rottweiler.

They became famous as rescue dogs around WWII, but the German Shepherd & Belgian Malinois have since surpassed them. A Doberman's strong bite strength was measured to be 228 psi. The Doberman is a high-energy dog who can be hostile to outsiders when not effectively socialized and taught.

Boxer: Boxers are quite a common family dogs possessing an outgoing nature. Owing to its playful disposition, Boxers have been among America's favorite dog breeds.

Their calm attitude & watchful personality have earned them status as excellent pet dogs. Such robust and energetic canines own a psi of 230. They fulfill their obligations as household protectors & watchdogs extremely seriously, so they will confront dangers front on.

American Pit Bull Terrier: Selectively bred as bait bulls, they evolved as all arounder farm dogs before moving into the home, becoming nanny dogs owing to their mild disposition near kids. This breed is noted for its strength and ferocity, although they may be friendly family dogs. Dr. Barr assessed the bite of this dog at 235 psi.

German Shepherd: Initially developed as just a herding canine, the German Shepherd had long been valued as guardian dogs & patrol canines. This is a strong, clever family dog breed.

There are several causes how German Shepherds have been regarded as canine monarchs, but their distinguishing feature is temperament. German Shepherds are noted for their outstanding devotion, tenacity, and bravery.

They are also known for their ability to comprehend instructions for a range of responsibilities and their willingness to sacrifice their lives in the protection of loved ones.

Dr. Barr tested the German Shepherd's biting pressure at 238 psi, only marginally greater than the American Pit Bull Terrier. German Shepherds are both faithful guard dogs and lovely family friends after proper training has been provided.

American Bulldog: In Ancient times, American Bulldogs were raised for being farmworkers' labor dogs. This dog is seen to have migrated into the United States during the 1700s.

This dog is commonly classified as a pit bull; however, breeders & owners might differ. This strong dog does have a biting force of 305 psi but, with proper training, can be extremely cordial with family members.

Siberian Husky: The Siberian Husky is an energetic breed that requires a great deal of stimulus and activity. Notwithstanding its friendliness, the Husky can nevertheless cause substantial damage with its biting strength PSI of 320.

This dog is well-known for its outgoing personality. These dogs are extremely joyful and get along well with people of all ages. They get along nicely with kids, other pets, and sometimes even outsiders.

Rottweiler: The Rottie, as it is widely referred to, has a massive head & big jaws. As a result, they are renowned as service and security dogs.

If a Rottie becomes a family member, they are a caring companion and protector who watches the external environment with an optimistic, joyful disposition. Dr. Barr's testing revealed that the Rottweiler bite with 328 psi.

Leonberger: Leos were bred to be best pals. As watchdogs & all arounder employees, they demonstrate intelligence and sound judgment. Leos had historically been known as flexible work dogs around farms, meadows, and lakefront.

Notwithstanding their height and power, these canines are considered gentle creatures. The biting power of this huge dog was recorded at 399 psi. They exhibit amazing quickness and are excellent swimmers.

Dogo Argentino: The Dogo Argentino, a hunter dog bred to pursue large animals such as a bear or cougar as part of a pack. They are known mostly for their strength, intellect, and quickness.

To discover, hunt, and capture dangerous prey, the Dogo Argentino must have a great nose, great lung capacity, as well as a robust and still nimble, toned body.

This breed could be unfamiliar to dog breeders in the United States, but it resembles a strong, white pit bull. Its strong bite force was measured to be 500 psi.

Presa Canario: Also known as Dogo Canario, is a mastiff dog who mainly arose in the Canary Islands. A Perro de Presa Canario is a powerful dog. Dogo Canario breed is well-known for its calm demeanor and self-assurance.

They are loyal, faithful, & subservient to household members yet generally wary of random people. Their biting force was comparable to that of other mastiffs, with a force of 540 psi. The main job of this type of dog is and has been the protection and herding of livestock.

English Mastiff: The English Mastiff is recognized for its kind and caring demeanor and is defined by its enormous size, big head, thin fur, and black mask. They have a long history reaching back to the 1800s; however, the present breed was formed in the mid-1800s.

After a substantial decline period, the Mastiff gradually restored appeal all over the globe. The Mastiff has impacted the creation of a variety of different breeds of dogs. This breed has a psi of 552.

Tosa Inu: The Tosa Inu, commonly referred to as the Japanese Mastiff, is a Japan-bred dog that is the biggest in the country.  Tosas are kind, polite, and devoted guard dogs.  The biting force of this dog is 556 psi, which was comparable to that of other mastiffs.

Dogue de Bordeaux: Often called French Mastiff, this dog was almost the same size as the English Mastiff. A Dogue de Bordeaux is among the earliest of the French dog breeds, traced back to before France became a nation.

The bite strength of the Dogue de Bordeaux was 556 psi. These strong guard dogs are recognized for their devotion, compassion, and protection.

Cane Corso: A huge dog with a strong and resilient physique, the Cane Corso is a mastiff race. The origins of the Corso can be rooted in ancient Rome, and the breed's moniker equates to "bodyguard hound" in Latin.

A Cane Corso was initially developed in Italy for guarding fields and cattle. The biting strength of these dogs was tested at 700 psi. Measuring in at more than 100 pounds, these are scary.

Kangal Dog: The Kangal Canine is a unique breed of dog that is seldom seen in the United States and stands first on the bite strength chart. These dogs started as farmed animals protectors in Turkey.

Historically employed to defend regional herds against foxes, coyotes, and hyenas in Turkey, the Kangal Dog has recently been transported to African nations due to its imposing stature and efficacy as a bodyguard. They effectively safeguard local livestock against native large cats.

Whereas the Kangal Dog is commonly called a sheep hound, it is primarily a herd caretaker who mostly lives with a flock to ward against predators constantly. It packs the strongest biting strength at 743 psi.

Which dog breed has the strongest bite?

The majority of the information about an average dog breed's typical bite force comes from  these three primary sources:

Dr. Donna Lindner's findings were printed in 'The journal of Veterinary Dentistry' around 1995.

Dr. Brady Barr's study measuring biting power for dogs aired as a piece of his National Geographic Wildlife tv show 'Dangerous Encounters' in 2005. Dr. Brady examined just three dogs: a German Shepherd, an American Pit Bull Terrier, and a Rottweiler.

Dr. Jennifer Ellis, lead researcher, was accepted for publication in the 'Journal of Anatomy' in 2008.

Since there are several factors to consider, determining which dog breed possesses the strongest bite is challenging. According to the American Kennel Club, a Kangal seems to provide the strongest bite among other dogs evaluated and documented scientifically. It's also important to remember that this might differ for every bite and different animal.

Although researchers can establish an overall biting force for every breed, the types may differ from research to research. A Kangal, or Kangal Shepherd, is almost the only breed in the top 7 that isn't a Mastiff of any kind; instead, it is a Turkish dog whose roots are thought to be in Central Asia.

It's no wonder that its jaws are dangerous weapons, given they've traditionally been used as livestock canines and have been trained to fend off tigers, coyotes, foxes, hyenas, and other predators.

These are service dogs at heart, and though they may make excellent companions, they will still be on call. They are possessive of their family and might be wary of outsiders, but they could be caring, faithful protectors if appropriately socialized.

In Turkey, this dog is regarded as a national gem. Even though Kangals have by far the most powerful bite, they are the least aggressive.

What is the bite force of a dog?

The technical phrase for measuring the level of pressure inside a dog's bite is biting strength. The more force a dog applies, the higher the risk of injury to anyone or anything bitten.

Various elements influence bite force; however, experts believe that the volume of a dog's head does have much to do with how much pressure their jaws could produce. The biting strength of a person is around 120 pounds per sq inch.

Any animal's biting strength is calculated in pounds per square inch (psi). The pressure measurement expresses what amount of force is applied on one sq inch of area.

The psi exerted by animal jaws is often standardized. The pressure varies according to the object being bitted, the dog's attitude, as well as the dog himself. Humans provide an average biting strength of 120-140 psi, but the Nile Crocodile seems to have a bite strength of 5,000 psi.

The biting strength of the ordinary dog is roughly 230-250 psi; however, some are stronger. Although most folks do not choose a dog solely on its bite force, it is good to be mindful of this figure.

Dog bite force might even indicate specific dog breeds among dog health coverage ban list. Understanding a dog's biting power assists owners in determining how much coaching is taken to avoid bites & nullify the dog's bite force.

Although not as powerful as a Nile Crocodile's bite, the strength of a powerful dog's bite may tear into the skin as well as shatter bones. If you've been thinking of getting either of these powerful dog breeds, you'll need to work with an experienced dog trainer to make sure your pup doesn't exhibit any symptoms of violence.

What is the bite force of the strongest dog bite?

It is crucial to remember that when discussing the biting strength of a breed or a single hound, it could only be considered in a broad sense. In other terms, because of these considerations, bite force must not be deemed precise.

The power of a breed's bite cannot be assessed with great precision since a dog cannot be taught to bite with a constant amount of pressure every time. Each time a bite is recorded, it may be somewhat distinct, and each hound would have a little different number.

The biting force will also differ based on the areas the bite occurs in the dog's jaws, like at the front or rear.

Certain dog breeds have the highest biting force statistics. Bulldog, Mastiffs, and Shepard dogs are examples.

The bulk of a dog's bite strength power is determined by the size of its physique, head, and jaw form. Dogs with the biggest skulls and, as a result, the largest jaws seemed to have the strongest biting strength; this illustrates why Mastiffs placed first among all dog breeds.

Kangal Dogs are generally employed to defend against predators in Turkey; however, they have traveled to the United States for their beauty and style. These dogs are extremely potent and huge, with a biting force of 743 PSI. This breed's dogs are good towards their household. They are excellent with youngsters.

Kangals are predicted to live for more than 15 years if they are fit. They make great security dogs. Kangals are wary, possessive, and protective creatures.

To be your daily companion family pet, they would require socialization as well as pack leader training. This dog ought to be the sole dog in the household if you really want it.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for which dog has the strongest bite, then why not take a look at bite force of a pitbull or Boxer facts.

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Written by Supriya Jain

Bachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

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Supriya JainBachelor of Commerce, Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing

As a skilled member of the Kidadl team, Shruti brings extensive experience and expertise in professional content writing. With a Bachelor's degree in Commerce from Punjab University and an MBA in Business Administration from IMT Nagpur, Shruti has worked in diverse roles such as sales intern, content writer, executive trainee, and business development consultant. Her exceptional writing skills cover a wide range of areas, including SOP, SEO, B2B/B2C, and academic content.

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Fact-checked by Nishtha Dixit

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

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Nishtha DixitBachelor of Arts specializing in English Literature

Nishtha is an experienced SEO writer and editor, with a passion for writing and self-expression. She is currently pursuing an undergraduate major in Literature and Communication and a minor in Political Science from the University of Delhi. Nishtha has completed a certificate master course in English from the British Council and has been appointed as the editor for the bi-monthly magazine of the University of Delhi.

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