When it comes to powerful bites, some dogs definitely pack more force in their jaws than others. Certain dog breeds like Mastiffs and Shepherds are known for having incredibly strong bite forces that allow them to take down large prey or be used as guard dogs. But could any domestic dog actually bite harder than the king of the jungle, the mighty lion? Let’s take a look at the science behind canine bite force and see which dogs measure up against big cats like lions.
Measuring Dog Bite Force
A dog’s bite force is a measure of the pressure or strength that a dog can apply through its jaws. It is usually expressed in pounds per square inch (PSI) which is a measurement of pressure. Bite force can be tested and measured using specialized equipment by animal researchers.
There are a few key factors that impact a dog’s bite force:
- Size of dog – In general, larger dogs tend to have stronger bite force simply because they have bigger, stronger jaws and muscles.
- Breed – Some dog breeds have been selectively bred to have very powerful bites, like Mastiffs and other guard dogs.
- Individual variation – Just like people, individual dogs can vary in strength regardless of breed.
- Training – Dogs trained in protection sports like Schutzhund may develop stronger bites through targeted biting exercises.
When measuring bite force, researchers often focus on the mastiff style breeds that have been bred for guarding and protecting. These muscular dogs usually top the bite force charts, but other breeds like German Shepherds and Rottweilers also have significantly strong bites.
Dog Breeds with the Strongest Bite Force
Here are some of the dog breeds with the highest bite force according to recent studies:
- Kangal (743 PSI) – The Turkish Kangal is considered the strongest dog in the world with a bite force of 743 PSI. This massive, mastiff style breed can weigh up to 145 pounds.
- American Bandogge (731 PSI) – This mix between a Neapolitan Mastiff and American Pit Bull Terrier has an enormous bite force of 731 PSI. It is a muscular guard dog breed weighing up to 130 pounds.
- Cane Corso (700 PSI) – An Italian mastiff breed, the Cane Corso is a powerful and intelligent guard dog with bites measuring 700 PSI. It can weigh up to 110 pounds.
- Dogue de Bordeaux (556 PSI) – Also known as the French Mastiff, the Dogue de Bordeaux has a powerful bite of 556 PSI. Males can reach over 150 pounds.
- Tosa Inu (556 PSI) – The massive Japanese Tosa Inu was originally bred as a fighting dog and stands up to 130 pounds with bites of 556 PSI.
- English Mastiff (556 PSI) – One of the largest dog breeds in terms of mass, the English Mastiff has a matching powerful bite force of 556 PSI and can reach 220 pounds.
- Doberman Pinscher (600 PSI) – Though not as large as some mastiff breeds, Dobermans have an extremely strong bite estimated at 600 PSI. They are compact guard dogs up to 100 pounds.
- Rottweiler (328 PSI) – Known for being sturdy dogs with strong bites, a Rottweiler has a bite force of 328 PSI. They typically weigh 80-135 pounds.
- German Shepherd (238 PSI) – As popular working, protection and police dogs, German Shepherds have a forceful bite of 238 PSI. They weigh in around 50-90 pounds.
- American Pit Bull (235 PSI) – Despite their smaller size of 30-90 pounds, Pit Bulls have biting power rated at 235 PSI.
As shown above, the dogs with the strongest bite force come from the mastiff family or are mixed breed dogs derived from mastiffs and other powerful breeds. Their massive size and strength translates into a devastatingly strong bite.
How Does a Lion’s Bite Force Compare?
Now that we know which dogs have the strongest bites, how do they compare to the bite force of a lion? Here are some key measurements of lion bite force:
- An adult male lion’s bite force is around 650 PSI.
- A lioness has a weaker bite force of 400 PSI.
- White lions bite at 691 PSI, slightly higher than regular male lions.
- The extinct American Cave Lion is estimated to have the strongest bite of any lion at 1,000 PSI.
In comparing the top dogs to lions, we see that the Kangal dog breed actually has a stronger bite force at 743 PSI than a male lion’s 650 PSI! This makes the Turkish Kangal the clear winner against a lion in a hypothetical battle of bites. The American Bandogge, Cane Corso, and Dogue de Bordeaux may also beat out a lion bite, though their PSI ratings are close to that of a male lion.
However, a lion’s bite is still quite powerful and can cause major damage, usually targeted at vital organs or the head. Their jaws and teeth are adapted for crushing bones and tearing flesh. While the Kangal may generate a slightly stronger bite force, a lion has a myriad of other weapons including razor sharp claws, tremendous spring-like agility, and a powerful swiping paw strike. Still, if we are talking pure bite strength, the Kangal emerges as the winner.
How the Kangal Dog’s Bite Compares to Other Animals
To further put into perspective how the Kangal dog’s nearly 750 PSI bite force stacks up, here is how it compares to the bites of other powerful animals according to 2017 research:
| Animal | Bite Force PSI |
|---|---|
| Saltwater Crocodile | 7,700 |
| Nile Crocodile | 5,000 |
| American Alligator | 2,125 |
| Hippopotamus | 1,821 |
| Silverback Gorilla | 1,300 |
| Siberian Tiger | 1,050 |
| Spotted Hyena | 1,000 |
| Kangal Dog | 743 |
| Gray Wolf | 436 |
| African Lion | 650 |
As shown in the table, the Kangal has the strongest bite force of any domesticated dog but falls well below the bites of top predators like crocodiles, alligators, and sharks. However, among land mammals, the Kangal edges out other carnivores like gorillas and tigers in bite force, an impressive feat for a dog.
Key Takeaways
To summarize the data on dog and lion bite force:
- The Turkish Kangal has the strongest bite force measured of any dog at 743 PSI.
- The Mastiff family and Mastiff-type breeds dominate the top spots when it comes to dog bite force.
- Lions have a bite force ranging from 400-650 PSI depending on sex. Male lions average 650 PSI.
- The Kangal dog breed has a stronger bite force (743 PSI) than a male lion (650 PSI).
- Despite lower bite force, lions can still inflict grievous injury through claws, athleticism, and biting tactics targeting the throat.
- Among mammals on land, the Kangal’s bite tops other powerful predators like gorillas and tigers.
In summary, the Turkish Kangal emerges as the dog with the strongest bite force over all other domestic dog breeds and the big cats like lions. However, lions and other big cats remain extremely dangerous predators due to their complete package of athleticism, biting skill, and razor sharp claws. But if we isolate only bite force, the dog with the highest PSI is the impressive Kangal.
Other Dog Breeds with Strong Bites
While Kangals, Mastiffs, and other giants top the charts for dog bite strength, there are many other breeds with significantly strong bites. Here are some other dogs known for having high bite force relative to their body size:
Pit Bulls
Despite their medium-sized stature, Pit Bulls have bites measuring over 200 PSI in force. Their stocky, muscular build coupled with strong jaw muscles allows Pit Bulls to deliver powerful bites. Historically bred for bull baiting and dog fighting (though this practice is condemned today), Pit Bulls were selected for their biting and gripping tenacity. They are tenacious dogs with a strong instinct to chase and seize in their jaws, reflected in their high bite force.
Rottweilers
As a rugged working and guard breed, the Rottweiler unsurprisingly has a strong bite rated at 328 PSI. Their large size, powerful build, and instincts for protection work require a forceful bite to apprehend threats. Rotties are known for latching on firmly when biting and have the strength to hold suspects at bay.
Doberman Pinscher
Though less bulky than some other dogs on this list, Dobermans still exert an impressive amount of bite force rated around 600 PSI. Like Rotties and Pits, Dobermans were historically bred to be protection dogs with strong bites, tenacity, and a compact muscular build. Their bite force comes from a proportionate combination of size and muscular strength.
Wolfdog
Wolfdog hybrids tend to have stronger bites than either of their purebred parents due to hybrid vigor. Studies show Wolfdogs often have bite strengths of over 400 PSI, stronger than pit bulls and close to kangals. They tend to have the tenacity of a wolf coupled with the brute force of a dog like a Mastiff or Rottweiler.
Boxer
Surprisingly, the Boxer breed places high on bite force lists as well. Though medium-sized like Pit Bulls, Boxers exert bite forces over 200 PSI thanks to their stocky build and strong jaw muscles. Boxers were also historically used for baiting and dog fighting before such bloodsports were banned.
While these dogs may not have the crushing bite of a 700 PSI mastiff, they still have significantly more bite force than most other breeds. So if absolute strongest bite is not necessary, these breeds also impress with high biting power.
Bite Force and Temperament
While breeds like Mastiffs, Kangals, and Pit Bulls have tremendously strong bites, this does not mean these dogs are inherently dangerous. In fact, most individual dogs with the strongest bites are normal family pets who live peacefully with people and other animals.
Bite force is just one factor among many when it comes to predicting aggressive behavior. More important is how a dog is raised, socialized, trained, and treated. Dogs with strong bites who come from stable backgrounds and receive proper training are no more dangerous than any other breed.
However, because of their physical power, dogs with the strongest bites require extensive socialization and obedience training from a young age. With the right upbringing, strong dogs become loyal protectors and companions instead of liabilities.
Responsible ownership and good training allows high bite force breeds to use their natural strengths for appropriate tasks like police work, protection dog sports, weight pulling competitions, or guarding. Very few dogs ever exert their full bite force potential even in protection work – they merely possess the capability.
So while some breeds like Mastiffs and Kangals clearly have the strongest bites, having an extraordinarily forceful bite does not automatically make an individual dog dangerous. With proper oversight, the most powerful biting dogs can live as trusted companions and defenders.
Conclusion
When comparing the bite strength of dogs and lions, we find that the breed with the strongest bite force is the Turkish Kangal at 743 PSI. This powerful mastiff breed edges out the lion, whose bite force in adult males averages only 650 PSI. Though lions have other deadly weapons at their disposal and are still incredibly dangerous, the Kangal takes the prize when it comes to pure bite strength. Among dog breeds, mastiffs, Kangals, and other mastiff-type dogs dominate the ranks of highest bite force.
However, bite force is just one piece of the puzzle – individual temperament and training is key in managing dogs with strong bites like Kangals. With proper socialization and handling, high bite force does not necessarily translate to aggression issues. Responsible ownership allows these athletic, powerful breeds to utilize their natural bite strength safely in protection sports or police and guard dog work.
So in summary, the Kangal’s bite tops the measuring stick, beating out the king of beasts himself in bite force! But lions remain apex predators in the wild, armed with multiple weapons and tremendous strength – the Kangal just takes the win in this specific category based on scientific measurement.