If you’ve ever participated in an arm wrestling contest, you know that some humans have incredible strength and others are much less powerful. The same can be said for a dog’s jaw, with a few breeds showing remarkable strength. Keep in mind that all dogs can break skin and hurt a human, especially someone vulnerable, like a child.
Additionally, bite force doesn’t necessarily correlate to the likelihood that an animal will attack, which has much more to do with individual temperament and training than innate characteristics. In case you were wondering, the pup with the weakest bite force is, unsurprisingly, the Chihuahua, but which dogs have the strongest bite force? We’ll walk you through the top 10 breeds.
Which dogs have the strongest bite force?
In order to understand what dogs have the strongest bite, we have to explain how this is measured. Bite force is calculated in pounds per square inch (PSI), and we’re looking here at the averages across the below breeds. Here are the dogs that chomp the hardest.
Chow chow (220 PSI)
This buddy can clamp down with the force just above that of the average punch (which measures 150 PSI). Since the chow chow isn’t a particularly large breed, its stats become all the more impressive.
American pit bull (235 PSI)
You may have expected this guy to wind up higher on the list, but the pit bull only comes in at number nine. However, in addition to bite force, pit bulls also have strong legs and can clamp down and stay in place once they have their target.
German shepherd (238 PSI)
German shepherds were originally bred to herd (as you might guess from their names), but now frequently work as guard dogs and for law enforcement. This breed lives by the slogan, “Work hard, play hard,” and will need to be taught how to interact gently with kids, even though they ultimately make a great family dog.
American bulldog (305 PSI)
It’s hard to imagine that this sweet face could hurt anyone at all, but you certainly don’t want to mess with an American bulldog. This four-legger can break bone if they get a solid grip, even though their mouth is set in a perpetual smile.
Rottweiler (328 PSI)
Rottweilers can become excellent pets, even for families, when properly trained. Some, however, will attack if provoked or ordered to do so — they have been used by both police and the military, though you won’t see as many of them in those professions these days.
Wolfdog (406 PSI)
Just by looking at this one, you can tell that their wolf mixed with domesticated dog. While they can be kept as pets, their bite remains formidable, and many will give them a wide berth because of the resemblance to their wild cousins.
English mastiff (556 PSI)
English mastiffs have a bite twice that of a German shepherd, and yet they’re one of the gentlest dogs on this list. When you provide a chew toy, though, all bets are off, and you should expect it to be shredded after they’re done with it.
Cane corso (700 PSI)
In the last 20 years, the cane corso has exploded in popularity in the U.S., even making it onto the list of celebrity favorites for athletes. Interestingly, many here are larger, but you’ll find only two that outdo it in chomping ability.
Bandog (730 PSI)
If you aren’t familiar with the bandog, it’s the cross of a bulldog and a mastiff. They often have the best of both, loyal and strong, with an excellent personality despite the potential for biting hard.
Kangal (743 PSI)
You may never have heard of this breed, but it has a stronger bite force than any other. Kangals live in Turkey and herd livestock. In addition to the crazy amount crushing power, they also stand 3 full feet tall.
Closing thoughts
As we said at the top, strong jaws don’t equal an aggressive personality. If you decide to bring home a bud with a good bite force, just make extra sure that you follow proper training and socialization guidelines to keep everyone in the household safe and happy (really, you should be doing this for any breed). In most cases, that will mean ensuring they get daily exercise and learn how to play carefully with the smallest members of the household to prevent accidental bites or scratches as well.
Think carefully about the personality of your dog, which also determines what their training and daily regimen should look like. With the right preparation, any of these buds will make an amazing pet.
