What dog breed has the strongest bite

With National Dog Bite Prevention Week ( April 10-16) on the horizon, we thought it would be a good time to remind everyone of the dangers that dogs can pose and take a look at the bite force of some popular breeds of dog that people keep as pets.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, in 2020 dog bites and other dog-related injuries accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claims paid out in the US, totaling nearly $853 million for 16,991 dog bite and injury claims. In the UK, according to Statista, it was people aged between 50 and 59 who were the most likely victims of dog bites, with over 1,200 hospital admissions 2021. In the same period 1,100 children aged under 10 years of age were also admitted to hospital as a result of dog bites and strikes.

While all dog breeds have the potential to bite , some breeds are more likely to inflict serious damage due to their powerful jaws and large teeth.

When it comes to the world of dogs, there are many breeds that have been bred specifically for their intelligence and strength. From this list of top 7 dogs ranked with the strongest bite force in the world, you can see that these strong breeds were originally bred as guard or herding animals.

In order to be able to do their job effectively, these dogs need to have a powerful bite. And, according to recent studies, the following seven breeds do just that!

German Shepherd – 291 PSI

What dog breed has the strongest bite
German Shepherd – Bite Force = 291 PSI

The German Shepherd is a breed that is well-known for its strength and intelligence. With a bite force of 238-291 PSI, this breed is often used for law enforcement, military and protection. German Shepherds are also popular as family pets due to their loyalty and obedience.

American Bulldog – 305 PSI

What dog breed has the strongest bite
American Bulldog – Bite Force = 305 PSI

The Bulldog is a strong breed of dog that has a very powerful bite. With a bite force of 305 PSI, this dog is not to be trifled with! Often used as a guard dog or for protection, the American Bulldog is a breed that you want on your side. They are energetic and require a lot of exercise, but make great family pets.

Rottweiler – 328 PSI

What dog breed has the strongest bite
Rottweiler – Bite Force = 328 PSI

The Rottweiler is a powerful breed of dog that is known for its strength and intelligence. With a bite force of 328 PSI, this breed can definitely hold its own against other animals. Often used as a guard dog, the Rottweiler is a breed that you don’t want to mess with! They make really loveably companions with the right training. I was bitten by one once, on the ankle, through my boot. It was terrifying, but it did let go!

American Pit Bull Terrier – 330 PSI

What dog breed has the strongest bite
American Pit Bull Terrier – Bite Force = 330 PSI

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a breed that is known for its strength and determination. With a bite force of 240-330 PSI, this breed can definitely bring down larger prey. Pitbull terriers are legal in the United States. But in Canada, pit bulls are banned in many towns and cities. Puerto Rico had a two-decade ban in place until 2018, when it was once again made legal to own, sell and import the breed. They are banned in the UK.

Mastiff – 556 PSI

What dog breed has the strongest bite
Mastiff – Bite Force = 556 PSI

The Mastiff is another large breed of dog that is known for its strength and power. With a bite force of 556 PSI, this breed can easily overpower other animals. This is more than three times the bite force of an average dog. We’ve owned a bull mastiff, he was a huge dog and when he decided he’d had enough of his walkies he would just sit down. We had to ring my Dad to come and get us and pick up the dog and put him in the car to take him home!

Cane Corso – 650 PSI

What dog breed has the strongest bite
Cane Corso – Bite Force = 650 PSI

The Cane Corso is a breed that is known for its power and strength. With a bite force of 650 PSI, this breed can take down prey much larger than itself.

Meet The Dog With The Strongest Bite In The World – The Turkish Kangal – 743 PSI

What dog breed has the strongest bite
Strongest Dog Bite in the World – The Turkish Kangal – Bite Force = 743 PSI

The Kangal Shepherd is a Turkish breed of dog that is known for its large size and impressive strength. With a bite force of 743 PSI, this breed is the undisputed king of the canine world when it comes to raw power. Typically used to protect against wolves, bears, and jackals in its native Turkey due to its intimidating size and capabilities as an effective guardian.

While all of these breeds are incredibly strong, the Kangal takes the top spot as the dog with the strongest bite in the world. With a force that is more than three times that of an average dog, this breed can take down prey much larger than itself. So, if you are looking for a dog that is not only powerful but also fearless, the Kangal is the breed for you!

How is bite force measured?

Bite force is actually really hard to measure in animals as there are many factors affecting the readings, including the fact that you can’t ask an animal to bite down on a device to gauge the force exerted!

The main factors affecting the bite forces in dogs and cats are body weight and the skull’s morphology and size. In other words, jaw shape plays a huge part in how strong a bite is. Other factors such as oral pain, TMJ disorders, masticatory muscle atrophy, and malocclusion may also affect bite force.  So when measuring bite force in dogs, it is usually estimated taking these factors into account.

What dog breed has the strongest bite
Masticatory Muscles in a Dog’s Skull – Image Credit Front Vet Sci. 2018; 5: 76.

What units are bite force measured in?

The strength with which your dog can bite is measured in is pounds per square inch (PSI).

What are some uses for a dog’s bite force?

There are many different reasons that a dog’s bite force knowledge might be used. Some of the most common reasons include Knowledge of bite forces in dogs and cats is essential for various clinical and research fields such as the development of implants, materials, and surgical techniques as well as for forensic medicine. 

Wrapping up

Dogs are incredibly powerful animals and their bite force should not be taken lightly. Whether you are looking for a guard dog or just a pet that is known for its strength, one of the breeds on our list would make an excellent choice. While all of these dogs have impressive bite forces, the Turkish Kangal takes the top spot as the strongest canine in the world. With a bite that is more than three times that of an average dog, this breed is sure to make any intruder think twice before crossing its path.

The strongest dog breeds with the highest bite forces in the world all have one thing in common: they’re not scared! These are some of the most fearless, powerful, and intelligent breeds on Earth.

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What dog breed has the strongest bite

What dog breed has the strongest bite

What dog breed has the strongest bite

Before you go…. did you want to know this…

What is the Strongest Animal Bite in the World?

It is widely accepted that the strongest animal bite in the world is currently held by the Nile Crocodile. However, there are many other animals that possess a powerful bite force as well.

The Nile crocodile is a large reptile that can be found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. It is the largest crocodile species currently in existence and can grow to lengths of up to 20 feet (6 meters). The Nile crocodile has a reputation for being a man-eater and is responsible for hundreds of human deaths each year.

The Nile crocodile can generate a bite force of up to 2,868 PSI. This is more than twice the bite force of a tiger, which is currently the second strongest predator on land.

A bite from a Nile crocodile is so powerful that it can easily crush bones and pierce through flesh. The only known predator of the Nile crocodile is the hippopotamus, which is also one of the most dangerous animals in Africa.

The land animal with the strongest canine teeth belongs to the hyena. The spotted hyena has a bite force of up to 1,100 PSI. This is nearly double the bite force of a large dog, such as a mastiff!

Fun Facts

  • The Nile Crocodile has the strongest bite of any living animal.
  • The gorilla has the strongest bite force of any primate.
  • The hippopotamus has the strongest recorded bite force of any land mammal.
  • The spotted hyena has the strongest canine teeth of any land mammal.
  • The walrus has the second strongest bite of any mammal, after the hippopotamus.

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References

Kim SE, Arzi B, Garcia TC, Verstraete FJM. Bite Forces and Their Measurement in Dogs and Cats. Front Vet Sci. 2018;5:76. Published 2018 Apr 13. doi:10.3389/fvets.2018.00076

Colline Brassard, Marilaine Merlin, Claude Guintard, Elodie Monchâtre-Leroy, Jacques Barrat, Nathalie Bausmayer, Stéphane Bausmayer, Adrien Bausmayer, Michel Beyer, André Varlet, Céline Houssin, Cécile Callou, Raphaël Cornette, Anthony Herrel; Bite force and its relationship to jaw shape in domestic dogs. J Exp Biol 15 August 2020; 223 (16): jeb224352. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.224352

Ellis JL, Thomason J, Kebreab E, Zubair K, France J. Cranial dimensions and forces of biting in the domestic dog. J Anat. 2009;214(3):362-373. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.01042.x

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National Dog Bite Prevention Week

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