When most people choose a particular breed of dog for a family pet, they do not usually consider the dog's bite force. Usually, people are more concerned with the dog's temperament, size, and how it behaves in a family setting.
While these are all very important factors to consider, experienced dog owners know that the bite force of a particular dog breed can be the difference between minor and very serious injuries.
The average dog bite force ranges from around 230 - 250 psi, but some dog breeds are capable of much stronger bites than that. Such dogs are capable of inflicting serious damage with just one bite, and owners of these breeds need to be very experienced otherwise they will be putting the public at risk.
However, before we discuss dog breeds with the strongest bite forces, it is important to note that even a very small dog can inflict substantial injuries if it bites someone. Therefore, knowing the breed of dog and how it behaves is a lot more important than how strong its bite is.
In Texas, dog bites are very common, and in most cases, the dog breeds responsible for these bites are nowhere close to having the strongest bite force.
Law enforcement organizations usually deal with dog bite cases involving pit bulls more than any other breeds of dogs. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys has more information on the dog breeds insurance blacklist.
Victims of dog bites are entitled to receive damages for the injuries sustained, medical bills, lost wages, and any other losses associated with the dog bite. An experienced personal injury dog bite law firm can help victims fight for the compensation they deserve.
How the Strongest Bite Force Is Measured
The bite force of a dog breed is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). This is a unit of measurement used to determine the pressure exerted at any point. A device called a bite sleeve is used to measure bite strength by allowing the animal to bite down on the sleeve and then measuring the pressure.
However, certain considerations need to be made when judging dogs based on their bite force.
Firstly, dogs are intelligent animals that are capable of deciding how strong they will bite.
Even the breed known to have the strongest bite force can also be gentle and playful in the right circumstances. This means any measurement of bite force needs to consider the dog's level of aggression at that time.
Another important factor is the angle of the bite. Usually, accurate measurement requires the dog to bite down directly onto the sleeve rather than at an angle.
Other factors to consider include the size of the jaws, the weight of the animal, and the hardness of the surface the dog is biting on.
10 Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Forces
Over the years, various organizations, such as the American Kennel Club have conducted many tests on various dog breeds to provide useful data to dog owners looking for family pets, guard dogs, or rescue dogs.
One of the tests measured the bite forces of different breeds. The results of these tests were very interesting in that the breed of dog considered to be the most dangerous in the country does not have the strongest bite force.
The following are 10 popular breeds of dogs arranged in ascending order from the breed with the weakest bite force to the one with an unbelievably strong bite force:
American Pit Bull Terrier - 235 psi
The first dog breed on the list is the biggest surprise of all. The American pit bull terrier is responsible for at least 25% of dog bite cases in America and is generally regarded as a very dangerous dog breed.
However, in terms of bite force, pit bulls are ranked tenth on this list, with a force of just 235 psi. This is well within the expected range when looking at the average bite force of various dog breeds.
Why, then, do pit bulls have such a bad reputation in the US and various countries around the world? Well, two things may be key factors in this.
The first is that pit bulls were traditionally bred specifically as fighting dogs, meaning they are inherently aggressive by nature.
The second factor has to do with the dog owners themselves. Irresponsible, negligent, and inexperienced dog owners are partly to blame for the majority of pit bull attacks.
German Shepherd - 238 psi
The German Shepherd is one of the most popular breeds on the planet. Ever since being bred during the World War, German Shepherds have proved to be highly intelligent dogs with the ability to function as guard dogs, search and rescue dogs, or family pets.
However, a bite force of 238 psi makes German Shepherd breeds that are capable of inflicting serious damage on their victims.
As such, even though they are loved across the world for their loving nature, care needs to be taken when training them to avoid raising an aggressive dog.
American Bulldog - 305 psi
If ever there was a dog whose menacing appearance is nothing like its gentle temperament, it is the American bulldog. With a bite force of 305 psi, the American bulldog is the larger cousin of the American pit bull terrier and the British bulldog.
One of the reasons why the American bulldog bite force is so high is the size of the animal. This is considered a large dog with a very powerful bite thanks to its strong jaws.
American bulldogs make great family pets if they are trained properly and socialized from the time they are pups. However, poorly trained bulldog breeds can be stubborn and disobedient.
Rottweiler - 328 psi
The Rottweiler is one of the most well-known dog breeds in the world and is popular among dog owners looking for a reliable guard dog. This dog's bite force of 328 psi and its territorial instincts make it a nightmare for any would-be burglars or trespassers.
Similar to German Shepherd dogs in terms of heritage, the Rottweiler is a very big and intelligent breed of dog that has found a lot of use in the security industry.
However, as frightening as it may seem, the Rottweiler is a loving companion that will do anything to protect its family.
Dogo Argentino - 500 psi
To the untrained eye, the Dogo Argentino looks a lot like the American Bulldog breed, but there is very little in common between the two. Dogo Argentinos are the result of crossing the Cordoba Fighting Dog (now extinct) with various breeds, such as the Irish Wolfhound, Great Dane, and Dogue de Bordeaux.
The result was a fearsome breed with a bite force of 500 psi and a bad reputation for being aggressive and stubborn.
However, when properly trained and socialized, this breed can be used as a therapy dog, which goes to show why an experienced dog owner is so important.
English Mastiff - 552 psi
The English Mastiff is a gentle, even-tempered, and loving dog breed that is also capable of breaking bones with a bite force of 552 psi. This breed is generally regarded as the gold standard of what Mastiff breeds need to look like.
Although these dogs were bred as war dogs and featured in many arena fights during the dominance of the Roman Empire, they have found a home with many American families, where they are used as large and cuddly family guardians.
Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff)- 556 psi
A bite force of 556 psi means the Dogue de Bordeaux, popularly known as the French Mastiff, only just edges its English cousin on this list. The fact that this dog was bred for pulling carts and guarding livestock is a testament to what a large breed it is.
It is one of the strongest and oldest types of Mastiffs in the world, and with such a bite force, it should only be handled by experienced dog owners.
Tosa Inu - 556 psi
The Tosa Inu is a Japanese dog breed that is also regarded as a type of Mastiff. Although it is large and intimidating, the Tosa Inu is also playful on one hand, and reserved and watchful on the other.
It has a bite force of 556 psi and requires a lot of socialization and obedience training if it is to grow to be a well-behaved animal.
Cane Corso - 700 psi
The Cane Corso is the pride and joy of Italy, which is not surprising considering that this Italian Mastiff has a bite strength of up to 700 pounds per square inch. The Cane Corso is not as large as other Mastiffs but is still large enough to be considered a gentle giant.
This breed is a very muscular dog, which requires socialization with other animals at an early age to become a reliable domestic dog.
Kangal - 743 psi
At the top of the list is the Kangal dog breed, or Kangal shepherd dog. Despite being smaller than other breeds on the top half of this list, a powerful bite force of 743 psi makes this dog's bite very dangerous.
Bred as herding dogs in Turkey, with the expectation that they may have to fight off lions, bears, and wolves, this dog has one of the strongest jaws in the dog kingdom.
Other Dog Breeds With a Strong Bite Force
Other dogs with strong bite forces failed to make the list because they are rare breeds or not very popular in the US. These include:
Bandog - 730 psi
Presa Canario - 540 psi
Leonberger - 399 psi
Alano Espanol - 227 psi
Dutch Shepherd - 224 psi
Chow Chow - 220 psi
Does a Strong Bite Force Make a Dog Breed Dangerous?
Not all the breeds mentioned on this dog bite force list should necessarily be considered dangerous breeds.
This is because, while having the strongest bite force means that a lot of damage can be done if the dog were to attack, it is the temperament, socialization, and training of the animal that makes it dangerous.
Fighting breeds, such as Pitbull terriers, need a firmer and more experienced hand during training to enable them to grow well-behaved and obedient dogs.
Much of the fault, when it comes to dog bites, lies with owners who have failed to train their pets properly.
Steps To Take After Being Bitten by Guard Dogs
A dog bit can cause a very serious injury. In some cases, victims have been mauled to death by dogs, so it is very important to know what to do after being bitten. The following steps may be helpful:
Seek medical attention immediately.
Get the details of the owner, including the dog's vaccination record.
Report the incident to the local police station.
Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss what steps to take to receive fair compensation.
What Does Texas Law Say About Dog Bites?
In Texas, the law allows victims to claim damages from the owner of a dog responsible for biting them.
However, victims must remember that Texas is a "one bite rule" state. This means that while the owner is liable for damages caused by a dog known to be dangerous, if it is the first time the dog has bitten someone, the victim must prove that the dog was already dangerous before the attack occurred.
Dog Bite Victims Are Entitled to Fair Compensation
Texas dog laws, such as the one-bite rule, make dog bite cases very complicated to deal with. However, with the right lawyer fighting for their rights, dog bite victims can walk away with damages for:
Medical expenses
Lost wages
Permanent disability
Pain and suffering
Wrongful death
An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
While some of the dogs mentioned in this article make great guard dogs and excellent family pets, in the wrong hands, their strong bite forces make them dangerous animals to own. When such dogs are involved in dog attacks, the victims are likely to suffer serious injuries.
That is why Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is here to help dog bite victims in Houston, Texas. Anyone who has suffered a dog bite and wants fair compensation can visit the law offices of Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys and request a free consultation.