20 Dog Breeds With Strongest Bite Force (Updated 2023)

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

– The Kangal, Bandog, and Cane Corso are just some of the dog breeds that have stronger bite force than a lion.

– Most mastiffs, bulldogs, and some shepherd dogs have the strongest bite force among all canines.

– An animal's bite force is measured in psi (pound per square inch). Dogs who have higher aggression tendency often have their bite forces measured.

–  Regardless of the breed and their strength, any dog bite can be fatal if they're not trained, or they're maltreated.

Just like how they differ in size, some canine breeds also have the strongest bite force, while others, not so much.

One of the factors of a dog's strength is their bite force. And yes, it can be measured scientifically.

Are you curious yet if your furry friend's breed made it to the list?

In this article, I have listed 20 of the most known dogs with the strongest bite force among the canine species.

Let's get to it!

Jump to a section:

• 20 dogs with the strongest bite force
• How a bite force is measured
• Questions other pet owners also ask

20 Dogs with the Strongest Bite Force

Below are the different breeds of dogs with the strongest bite force sorted from the highest psi (pounds per square inch.)

If you want to learn first about how bite force is measured, go to this section: The Science Behind a Dog's Bite Force.

Spoiler alert: The higher the psi, the stronger their bite force.

Also, for your reference, a lion has a bite force of around 650 psi, while a human has an average bite force of 162 psi.

1. Kangal – 743 psi

Pictured above, this large, powerful breed was used in Turkey to guard against animal predators.

In terms of bite force, they are the strongest among other breeds.

Kangals are alert, territorial, and defensive.

They will need social training and “pack leader” training to be your everyday companion dog.

On the flip side, Kangals are actually friendly and have good self-control. They're gentle with children but always make sure that their interactions are supervised.

Generally healthy dogs, Kangals are expected to live over 15 years of age. They make excellent guard dogs.

And if you want this canine pal, it should be the only animal in the house.

 

2. Bandog – 730 psi

Pictured above, this is a breed of varied ancestry. Mixing mastiff dogs with bulldogs created the Bandog.

With a 730 psi of bite force, this unique breed is second in line among the dogs with the strongest bites.

Bandogs were mainly bred to be guard dogs, which they excelled pretty well at.

Because of that, these canines can be dangerous unless they undergo proper pack leader training at an early age.

They are wary and distrustful of strangers, so they need intense socialization training from birth.

Brave and strong, these dogs will lay down their life for their charges.

 

3. Cane Corso – 700 psi

This guard dog originated in Italy. And like most variations of Mastiff, the Cane Corso was also a war dog.

Corsos are a hardy and healthy lot. Intelligent and eager, they are easy to train. Most of these pooches are quiet and calm.

Like other guard dogs, this dog usually does not like other dogs and cats.

They usually do fine with the kids in their household, but they will need socialization training starting as a puppy to be on the safe side.

 

4. Dogue de Bordeaux – 556 psi

The Dogue de Bordeaux is the drooling giant from the movie Turner and Hooch.

With a 556 psi, lions are only slightly stronger than them in terms of bite force.

They are affectionate with members of their family.

A bit lazy, these canines don’t need a lot of exercise.

Unlike some other Mastiffs, this dog is great with kids and other animals – a true gentle giant.

Oh, and did I mention the drool? There's a lot!

While friendly with the family, they are suspicious of strangers. They need a secure fence and socialization training.

The Dogue can really pack on the pounds, so watch the diet.

 

5. Tosa Inu – 556 psi

A mastiff-type dog, this is a Japanese breed believed to have Mastiff, Great Dane, and Bulldog in its ancestry.

The Tosa Inu are large but easy to care for.

Self-assured and intimidating in appearance, the Tosa Inu makes a great watchdog. But with proper training, these canines are friendly and family-oriented.

If not trained and socialized properly, these dogs can become aggressive.

And being huge dogs with a bite force of 556 psi, we don't want them getting aggressive.

They take up a lot of space and eat a lot of food. They also need obedience training as a puppy, or they can easily break people and things.

RELATED: Top 10 Japanese Dog Breeds Everyone Adores

6. English Mastiff – 552 psi

Another gentle giant, these pups are praised by those who own them.

Mastiffs are affectionate and do great in families that have kids.

They do make excellent guard and watchdogs, but only if trained to be.

Energetic and needing daily exercise, this dog is great for an active family or a large yard.

All Mastiffs are independent and strong-willed.

They need a dedicated trainer who is willing to put in the time to be a “pack leader.”

Like some other breeds, the English Mastiff can become destructive when left alone for too long.

And with that bite force of 552 psi? Oh boy, your furniture is in danger.

 

7. Dogo Canario – 540 psi

Also known as the Perro de Presa Canario, this is one ancient war dog still known to be aggressive.

Brave and loyal, the Dogo Canario makes great guard dogs.

Great for the active family, these pooches need exercise, a large yard, and mental stimulation.

Pups in this breed are said to be friendly if raised with kids and other animals.

To have a successful relationship with strong dogs like this one, the owner needs to have the time and experience to socialize and train this animal properly.

The owner has to be experienced, too, when it comes to handling large dogs.

 

8. Dogo Argentino – 500 psi

Breed to be a big game hunter, the Dogo Argentino has great reflexes and strong stature.

These dogs are clean and shed very little, making them easy to maintain.

Active and friendly, these canines are great for a large family. They need time with their family to be the best they can be.

A strong and independent dog, this fur baby needs a strong, experienced trainer.

Socialization and obedience training must start at a young age and stay consistent. This is another breed that must have pack leader training.

RECOMMENDED: 15 Most Popular Fighting Dog Breeds

 

9. Leonberger – 399 psi

A breed created from several other breeds, including Saint Bernard, this large dog is not very well known.

Affectionate and playful, the Leonberger is great for kids.

These active fur babies enjoy being part of the family and want to do what you do. Leonbergers are active and curious.

These pups love to chew and bark and will need the training to curb those desires.

While they love kids, they are massive and can easily hurt them. They need training in manners starting in puppyhood.

RELATED: Dogs and Kids: 17 Rules to Keep Kids and Dogs Safe

 

10. Rottweiler – 328 psi

Rottweilers have a bad reputation for being ferocious attack dogs, but the truth is, if they're trained and treated properly, they are actually calm and brave.

These canines are surprisingly friendly and social and do not do well with alone time.

They can get up to 130 pounds and possibly more.

Dogs in this breed are not hyper and needy. Smart and attentive, these fur babies make great work dogs.

Training must start as soon as possible while they are still small enough to be easily handled.

Rottweilers are recommended for experienced owners because of their size. They usually don’t like other animals.

 

11. American Bulldog – 305 psi

Often confused with a Pitbull, the American Bulldog is its own breed.

These gentle, affectionate dogs do great in houses with children.

These canines are actually sensitive and need a lot of quality time with their family members. Their short hair is easy to maintain.

Dogs in this breed are known to drool quite a bit.

Strong-willed, these fur babies need strong training that begins in puppyhood.

These dogs need to get plenty of exercise and playtime. They can become destructive if bored.

 

12. German Shepherd – 238 psi

Intelligent “work” dogs, German Shepherds are used as police dogs, guide dogs, and farmhand dogs.

They are aloof with strangers and not easily distracted.

These dogs are energetic and love playtime, but they are calm and restrained as well.

Intelligent and sensitive to their owner’s needs, these fur babies are easy to train.

These pups shed a lot. It may be best if you don’t have carpet in your home.

Dogs in this breed usually do not like other dogs. You will need to have chew toys and puzzle boxes as well because these pups love to chew.

 

13. Pitbull – 235 psi

Everyone has heard the breed name Pitbull, and the majority of the time, it isn’t in a good way.

Just like Rotties, the Pitbull also has a bad rep, with about 41 countries banning or restricting this breed.

Interestingly enough, they were once known as “nanny dogs” for their love and gentleness around children. They are playful and protective of them.

Intelligent and loyal, these muscular companions are easy to train.

With short hair, the Pitbull doesn’t need a lot of time at the groomer.

The Pitbull has been recently bred as a fighting dogs. Make sure you get your Bully from a reputable breeder.

Like other strong breeds, you will need to start with socialization and obedience training early.

 

14. Boxer – 230 psi

This breed has an imposing stature that doesn’t match its personality.

Boxers are intelligent and easy to train. They are average in their desire to bark and roam.

They usually won’t hurt a fly, but they may kill furry little animals if not trained.

This affectionate dog is very friendly with the family, including kids and other dogs.

Boxers like mild climates, so care must be taken when going outside in cold or hot weather.

These pups really do not do well when left alone for long periods of time.

 

15. Doberman – 228 psi

This breed is beautiful and sleek. This brave, loyal dog is very affectionate with his family.

Dobermans grow to a large size but are still incredibly grateful to their owners, making them great watchdogs and protectors of the family.

These intelligent, sensitive canines are easy to train.

They will need socialization and “pack leader” training, but they pick it up quickly.

Energetic and playful, these dogs need to be exercised regularly to keep from being aggressive or destructive.

While this dog is friendly with kids, it is raised with, and it is not generally a “kid-friendly” breed.

INTERESTING READ: Doberman Dog Sniffs Out Organ Donor To Save Owner's Life

 

16. Alano Español – 227 psi

These large dogs are descendants of the bull-baiting dogs of Europe and, before that, the war dogs of the Middle East.

Serious and calm, these canines are not hyper, in-your-face yappers.

While these dogs like to be “top dogs,” they can also be submissive to the right owner. This breed is active and does best with an involved owner.

Wary of strangers, this Spanish bulldog needs strong “pack leader” training to keep from becoming dangerous.

These pooches are known to be difficult to housebreak. They may do better than outside dogs.

 

17. Dutch Shepherd – 224 psi

Like other herding dogs, these dogs will try to herd everything – animals, kids, cars, whatever.

The Dutch Shepherd is intelligent and active.

They will thrive in an active family that teaches them tricks and gives them “jobs.”

This alert, the athletic breed, is not as well known but can perform all the working tasks a German Shepherd can.

These canines usually are not friendly with kids or other animals. Training to teach it that ALL humans are pack leaders must be undergone.

These independent, self-willed pups need a strong, persistent trainer.

 

18. Chow Chow – 220 psi

These regal dogs are reminiscent of a lion. Their personality is described as more “cat-like” than “dog-like.”

The Chow Chow doesn’t have a lot of energy, so it needs a little exercise.

This dignified breed makes dogs that are independent and do not need a lot of human companionship. They are great for calm adult owners.

These dogs are independent and self-willed, making them harder to train.

Pooches from this breed are pretty aggressive and don’t always do well with the people and animals around them.

 

19. English Bulldog – 210 psi

These stout, large dogs want nothing more than to be your next lap dog.

Friendly and loveable, these dogs do well with kids and other animals.

They are not very clingy, so they do better with alone time than some other breeds.

Not very active, these pooches don’t need a lot of exercise.

English Bulldogs are pretty stubborn. While not known to be aggressive, they still need a strong trainer due to their desire to do things their way.

These pups need a mild climate. They don’t do well in hot or cold weather.

RELATED: 15 Most Common Myths About Dogs Debunked

 

20. Malinois – 195 psi

Also known as the Belgian Shepherd, Malinois is intelligent, confident, and hard-working.

This tough work breed is suited to all sorts of climates, both cold and hot.

Easy to care for, these pups shed very little and are not known to drool. These dogs are a healthy lot.

They were bred for the outdoors and are suited for it.

Although these fur babies are made for the outdoors, they love their human companionship and need training and socialization.

If they don’t get it, they can become aggressive and destructive.

SIMILAR: 15 Facts about Fear Aggression in Dogs

Honorable Mentions

While the above are the dog breeds with the strongest bite force, they are far from the only ones whose bite you want to be wary of.

The following are other dog breeds known for their strong bite force. 

• Labrador Retriever – 230 psi
• African Wild Dog – 317 psi
• Siberian Husky – 320 psi
• Great Dane – 238 psi
• Wolfdog – 406 psi
• Akita Inu – 350-400 psi

In fact, because of occasionally conflicting information on breeds’ bite force, some experts claim that some of these dogs have a stronger bite than those on the list.

The Science Behind a Dog's Bite Force

As you may have noticed, we have included a lot of numbers on the above list with the letters psi at the end.

The bite force of any animal is measured in pounds per square inch or psi.

This unit of pressure tells how much force is exerted on one square inch of space.

The psi that the jaws of animals will exert is usually averaged.

The pressure can differ depending on the substance being bitten, the dog's mood, and even the dog itself.

To give you a comparison, humans have an average bite force of 162 psi, and the Nile Crocodile has a bite force of 5,000 psi.

Let's focus on the dogs for now.

Even though nowhere as strong as Nile Crocodile's bite, the force of a strong dog's bite won't only rip through flesh, but it could also break bones.

If you're considering owning one of the dog breeds we have discussed above, you must work with a professional dog trainer to ensure your pooch doesn't show any signs of aggression.

Since most breeds on this list are dogs considered ‘aggressive', they are the ones that usually get their bite force measured.

What is important to remember is that any dog can become aggressive if neglected and abused. And most dogs are not loners.

Myths about dog's bite force and the scientific truth

There's a lot of misinformation about dog bite force out there, with some articles saying that certain dog breeds have a bite force strength of 2,000 pounds.

That's stronger than the bite force of a full-grown adult hippo (yes, this thing).

Obviously, this is wrong.

The only two studies measuring the bite forces of dogs are by Ellis et al. and Lindner et al.

The study results were reported in Newtons, with some of the highest numbers coming at 2,000 Newtons.

From here, many websites took the number and incorrectly interpreted it as psi, which in fact, is equivalent to around 450 pounds per square inch (and not 2,000 psi).

Why do some dog breeds have stronger bite force than others?

The majority of the bite force strength in dogs depends on the size of their body and skull and the shape of their jaw.

Dogs with the largest heads and, subsequently, the biggest jaws all had the strongest bite force, which explains why Mastiffs ranked the highest of all dog breeds.

But regardless of what breed you own, know that their bite force will always be greater than yours.

Every dog's bite is dangerous, but the above dogs could be especially brutal if they exert their full force.

RELATED: 13 Banned Dog Breeds and Tips to Prevent Aggressive Behavior

Common Questions About Dog Breeds with the Strongest Bite Force

Still have doubts about which dog breeds have the strongest bite force? Consider the following. 

Which Dog Has the Weakest Bite Force?

Chihuahua is said to have the weakest bite force among canines at around 100-180 psi.

Which Animal Had the Strongest Bite Force?

The Saltwater Crocodile has the strongest bite force.

Other leaders include Hippos, Gorillas, Jaguars, Great White Sharks, Polar Bears, Bengal Tigers, and Spotted Hyenas. 

Which Dog Can Kill a Lion?

The Rhodesian Ridgeback can kill a lion, and so can a Rottweiler. 

Which Dog Is Stronger Than a Pitbull?

The Rottweiler is stronger than a Pitbull and able to beat it in a fight.

Dog Breeds with the Strongest Bite Force: Before You Go…

While dogs also differ in their strength, including bite force, know that all dog bites can still be fatal, especially if that dog isn't trained properly, neglected, or mistreated.

If you want to read more information about dog bites, then check out our recommended articles below!

Related Articles:

• U.S. Statistics on Dog Bites (19 Breeds Compared)
  
• Why Are Dogs More Prone to Bite Nervous People?
• Dog Bites More Common on Hot and Polluted Days, New Study Suggests

Pin and share with other dog lovers: