No matter what kind of dog a person chooses as a pet, it is important to know that any dog can bite. Even if it has never demonstrated any aggression before, whether it is provoked or not, it is vital always to exercise caution around these animals. The strongest dog bites are listed below in a dog bite force comparison. This dog bite strength data provided by dog bite statistics reveals the dog breeds with the strongest bite. You can review dog bite laws by state and legal recourse for dog bites if you or a loved one have been bitten.
Top 20 Strongest Dog Bites
1. Kangals
At 734 PSI, Kangals, a Turkish dog breed, have the most powerful dog bite of any breed. This dog breed is commonly chosen as a guard dog, especially for protecting herds of animals, such as sheep, from predators.
The Kangal breed is strong, agile, and loyal, though proper training as a pup can make sure they don’t unnecessarily bite invited guests. When they are trained young, they are often gentle with children and even other animals. With a bite force this strong, Kangals can do serious damage to anyone they attack.
2. American Bandogge
The bite force of an American Bandogge, or Bandog Mastiff, is 730 PSI, making it the second strongest dog bite among all known breeds. Its breeding history over the centuries may provide a clue to its aggressive demeanor. Linked to Pitbull Terriers and Neapolitan Mastiffs, they have long been trained to guard and defend their owners and property. WIth the right amount of love, they can be incredible pets, but in the wrong hands, they can viciously bite and cause serious injury to anyone they perceive as a threat.
3. Cane Corso
The Cane Corso breed ranks third for strongest dog bites at 700 PSI. Hailing from Italy, this breed is famous for being intelligent, loyal, and absolutely fearless. Since it is a highly protective dog, it is often used as a guard dog. A quick learner, the Cane Corso is able to be trained quickly for this duty. When it bites, it can be incredibly aggressive in its pursuit, making it vital to exercise extreme caution in its presence.
4. Dogue De Bordeaux
You may know this breed as the French Mastiff or Bordeaux Mastiff, which is the result of an ancient lineage. The Dogue De Bordeaux has a storied history of being used for carrying heavy items, pulling carts, and protecting other animals. While it is a mostly pleasant creature, one that tends to be kind and gentle with small children, it does boast a strong bite of 560 PSI. It is more typical for the Dogue De Bordeaux to only attack when provoked, making it a safe choice to keep as a pet for families.
5. Tosa Inu
The Tosa Inu is a Japanese Mastiff breed that is distinguished from other Mastiffs by being more reserved than its playful contemporaries. The temperament of the Tosa Inu is fairly even but it is essential to socialize them while they are young. Without this key integration, they can be very aggressive, especially to other dogs. With a bite force of 555 PSI, it is critical to be cautious when owning one or while visiting anyone who keeps the Tosa Inu as a pet.
6. English Mastiff
English Mastiffs are often referred to as just a Mastiff breed, one that was often utilized by the military. They’re loyal dogs that have a kind spot in their hearts for their owners and families. Their large size certainly makes them scarier than they appear and while they are usually sweet, they can cause serious damage with their bites. The force they can exert is 550 PSI, one that can easily injure an unsuspecting friend, family member, or neighbor.
7. Dogo Canario
While the English Mastiff has a stronger bite force, it is far gentler than the Dogo Canario, also known as Perro de Presa Canario. The Dogo Canario is an extremely aggressive breed and one that should be treated with caution. The structure of its body makes it a more than capable creature for guarding property. A dog like this needs plenty of space to move around and an owner that makes sure to establish themselves as the alpha in the family to keep it from becoming overly dominant. Due to the tendencies it has for aggression, these dogs are not generally recommended as pets. Be careful if you encounter one as they have a bite force of 540 PSI.
8. Dogo Argentino
Originally bred for hunting, the Dogo Argentino is highly protective of its caretakers. The bite force of this breed measures at 500 PSI, making it strong enough to take on large game animals. It also happens to be incredibly large in size and fast on its feet. While the Dogo Argentino is a naturally aggressive breed, they don’t attack people at random. When trained and socialized early, they can become a devoted pet that is ideal for anyone who hunts or needs a strong guardian to keep the homestead safe. However, if someone comes on a property without invitation, they may find this dog can bite off much more than it can chew.
9. Leonberger
Leonbergers are a German breed with a large size and fluffy coats of fur. They can be playful and gentle creatures, making them a good choice to train as therapy dogs. Even though Leonbergers are fairly loving in nature, their large size and capacity for strong bites mean they should always be carefully supervised. A Leonberger can bite with a force of 399 PSI, making for a very painful experience if this pup feels the need to exert its strength.
10. Rottweiler
While many of the dog breeds on this list are lesser known, the Rottweiler has great notoriety for its intimidating presence. These strong dogs have a strong bite of 328 PSI. That might not be the strongest bite, but Rottweilers are capable of causing severe injuries if they feel compelled to attack. They must be properly trained and socialized to minimize the risk of owning this breed of dog.
11. American Bulldog
Most people might feel like they need to worry more about being slobbered on by an American Bulldog rather than worrying about being bitten. It’s certainly true that American Bulldogs are gentle animals, making them a prime choice as a household pet for families. However, don’t be complacent around this breed. When they aren’t properly cared for or left to their own devices, they can be destructive. With a bite force of 305 PSI, they are more than capable of causing damage if they decided to chomp on anyone or anything.
12. German Shepherd
There is a good reason why German Shepherds are often trained to serve on the police force. These dogs are incredibly smart and reserved around strangers. It is difficult to distract a German Shepherd from its tasks or the commands their owner gives. This breed isn’t exactly friendly with other dogs or animals, and when it is focused on guarding or taking down a criminal with its bite, it can exert a force of 238 PSI. It’s certainly less force than other breeds, but rest assured, it will be a painful experience for whoever is bitten by those jaws.
13. Pitbull
Even though Pitbulls can be loyal and kind dogs that are easy to train, they have earned a dangerous reputation for bites and attacks. It is important for owners of this breed to train and socialize them well early on, which isn’t difficult as Pitbulls are one of the easiest breeds to train. Pitbulls bite with a force of 235 PSI, which is plenty to cause harm. The only reason they have such a bad name is due to irresponsible breeders and owners who fail to give them the training they need.
14. Boxer
Another drool-heavy breed that is often a prized pet, Boxers usually look very formidable. These dogs are extremely gentle and loving and they easily get along with other pets and small children. The key thing to know about Boxers is that they are smart dogs that are eager to obey; however, they can become anxious or restless when not given enough attention. This may compel them to bite and with a force of 230 PSI, Boxers can easily hurt someone with their jaws.
15. Doberman
A Doberman guarding the property can be an imposing sight. This animal is as quick as it is sleek, and it’s a loyal breed of dog that is perfect for protection. While they are loving and playful, they are more ferocious than other breeds. Dobermans can become destructive when left to their own devices, and may even exhibit that with their bite force of 229 PSI. Additionally, if they’re being considered as a pet for a family, children will be much safer in their presence if they live with them from birth.
16. Alano Español
Compared to dogs with stronger bites, the bite force of this breed is only 227 PSI. However, these large dogs are always looking to be the alpha of the pack and have an aloof demeanor that is beneficial for taking assertive action. The Alano Español was historically used to bait bulls in Europe and in battles in Middle Eastern regions. Despite aggressive tendencies, they obey their owners when they are trained properly, which is encouraged to prevent them from chomping down on visitors.
17. Dutch Shepherd
Historically used for herding, Dutch Shepherds are among the smartest breeds for this task. In the absence of having livestock to manage, they’ll gladly offer their services to corral other animals, kids, and adults. The trick with these shepherds is to always provide dominant direction to help them stay focused on their job. One of the biggest concerns with Dutch Shepherds is that they have a powerful bite force of 224 PSI, which is not even the strongest on this list. Given their unpredictable nature around small children and other animals, caution is advised when owning this dog breed.
18. Chow Chow
Chow Chows are large, beautiful dogs that are incredibly powerful. They have a bite force of 220 PSI but they can exert force in other ways. They’re not recommended to keep around children as kids have a tendency to be too loud and unpredictable for this animal. Chow Chows are highly stubborn, making them a challenge to train. They can be used as guard dogs and are truly ideal when you need an extra line of defense. Their aloof personalities are a match for the task of protection but owners must beware that these dogs can be a major danger to others.
19. English Bulldog
The English Bulldog is a slobbery breed that can be friendly most of the time. They find favor with children and other animals even though they aren’t very high in energy. Even though they can be a bit lethargic, it is imperative to give them proper training. They can certainly test your patience as English Bulldogs tend to be stubborn so it is ideal to be firm. Without training, these dogs can be prone to nipping and biting; with a bite force of 210 PSI, it is the responsibility of English Bulldog owners to ensure their pet doesn’t attack.
20. Malinois
Take a quick glance at a Malinois and you may mistake it for a German Shepherd. You wouldn’t be too far off the mark as the Malinois is also called a Belgian Shepherd. Like the German Shepherd, it is smart, brave, and prone to staying focused on a task. When it is given duties, especially in an outdoor setting, it will thrive. A Malinois must be properly educated and socialized to protect others. When it has no training, it can become one of the most aggressive breeds around. Even though its bite force measures at 195 PSI, the lowest force on this list, its propensity to act out when not trained well makes it one of the most dangerous dog breeds.