There are many myths and a ton of misinformation surrounding the controversial issue of dog bites. You may have heard things like Chihuahuas are the breed most likely to bite (impossible to say) or that Pit Bulls have locking jaws (absolutely not true).
That misinformation continues when it comes to the force that various dog breeds can bite with. You’ll hear that one breed or another has the strongest bite — Pit Bulls, German Shepherds, and Rottweilers are the usual suspects — or you’ll hear seemingly incredible figures listed for just how hard those pups can chomp down.
Here, we look at which breeds actually bite the hardest and just how hard (measured in pounds per square inch, or psi) that they can bite.
English Mastiff
The Mastiff is an excellent family dog, but they can get quite large. Theyre passionate and are suitable for kids. One thing to note here is that theyre watchful and can be trained that way. Theres a difference between being attentive and angry or aggressive. The Mastiff does have a bite force of 552 PSI, so its important not to anger the dog or have it around strangers until it is fully trained.
1 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.
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.
FAQ
Which Mastiff has the strongest bite?
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