What Dog Has the Strongest Bite?

When a dog attacks, the physical and emotional aftermath can be devastating, especially when the dog in question has a powerful bite. Understanding which breeds are capable of inflicting the most damage is critical for victims seeking justice and accountability.

This article explores which dog breed has the strongest bite and why that matters in holding owners responsible for dog attacks. If you or your child has been injured by a dog, contact our Shreveport dog bite lawyers immediately for a free case evaluation and discover how we can secure the justice you deserve.

What Is Dog Bite Force?

Dog bite force is the pressure exerted by a dog's jaw muscles when biting, measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). Higher PSI indicates stronger bite force, which correlates directly with more severe injuries, especially for vulnerable individuals like children and the elderly. This measurement helps assess potential injury severity in dog bite cases.

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Factors Influencing a Dog’s Bite Strength

Several key elements determine a dog's bite force, from physical attributes like weight and jaw structure to situational factors such as bite angle and surface characteristics.

• Weight of the dog: Larger dog breeds have a bite force that is higher due to increased muscle mass. Powerful breeds like Mastiffs or Kangals use their body weight to enhance jaw pressure.
• Jaw size: Breeds with broader skulls and developed jaw muscles gain biomechanical advantages, making certain breeds particularly dangerous because of the bite strength.
• Surface type: Dogs use different bite techniques for different materials. Attacks on humans typically employ "prey grip" techniques for soft targets, causing deeper tissue damage than lab measurements show.
• Surface hardness: Yielding properties affect injury severity. Soft-but-resistant surfaces trigger sustained crushing bites, while easily-punctured surfaces prompt quick, repeated bites, creating different trauma patterns.
• Bite angle: Attack angle impacts force distribution and resulting injuries. Dogs bite differently during play versus aggressive encounters, explaining why similar breeds cause varying injury patterns.

Additional Factors

Even dogs with average bite force can cause serious injuries. Multiple factors beyond PSI determine attack severity:

• Tooth sharpness and shape
• Bite location (e.g., face, neck, hands)
• Attack duration
• Risk of infection
• Victim’s age or physical condition

What Breed of Dogs Has the Strongest Bite?

Approximately 4.5 million Americans suffer dog bite wounds each year. Our dog bite lawyers at Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers document breed-specific bite characteristics when building cases, connecting scientific bite force data to client injuries to secure appropriate compensation for victims.

Kangal — 743 PSI

Among all dog breeds, the Kangal reigns supreme with the strongest dog bite PSI on record — 743. It can crush bones with a single bite, causing catastrophic injuries requiring reconstructive surgery and often resulting in permanent disability.

Bandog — 730 PSI

The Bandog is a powerful, athletic crossbreed of mastiff-type dogs and bull breeds. This crossbreed delivers a massive 730 PSI bite force. Their vice-like jaws crush flesh and bone, creating traumatic wounds that frequently become infected.

Cane Corso — 700 PSI

Originating from Italy, the Cane Corso is a large and muscular dog breed with an impressive bite force of 700 PSI. When provoked, they can sever tendons and crush smaller bones with their powerful jaws, potentially causing permanent damage to extremities.

Mastiff — 556 PSI

English Mastiff and French Mastiff both possess a remarkable 556 PSI bite force capable of causing severe crushing injuries that damage multiple tissue layers, often requiring emergency medical treatment.

Tosa Inu — 556 PSI

The Tosa Inu is a large, powerful breed from Japan with a strong bite force of 556 PSI. The UK government has banned them under the Dangerous Dogs Act. During attacks, they maintain their grip with extraordinary pressure, causing extensive tissue damage and potentially fatal injuries.

Presa Canario — 556 PSI

The Presa Canario is a large and muscular breed from the Canary Islands with a broad head, strong jaws, and a short coat. Presa Canario jaw strength is equal to 556 PSI. Their bite can damage several arteries and cause life-threatening blood loss.

Dogo Argentino — 500 PSI

Originally bred for big-game hunting, the Dogo Argentino is a muscular and athletic breed. The Dogo Argentino has a bite force of 500 PSI, allowing it to tear through skin and muscle, causing severe lacerations and permanent nerve damage requiring extensive rehabilitation.

Wolfdog — 406 PSI

Wolfdogs are hybrid breeds with wolf ancestry. Combining characteristics of wolves with domesticated dogs, they have a bite force of 406 PSI and deliver multiple rapid bites, creating complex wound patterns that challenge even experienced trauma surgeons.

Akita — 400 PSI

Akitas are a Japanese breed known for their loyalty and courage. With a bite force of 400 PSI, their dog's jaw strength is enough to create deep puncture wounds that require extensive surgical repair and can lead to infections if not immediately treated.

Rottweiler — 328 PSI

Rottweilers are renowned for their strength and protective instincts, with a bite force of 328 PSI. When attacking, they typically shake victims while biting, causing tissue tearing that extends far beyond the initial puncture sites, often resulting in permanent disfigurement.

American Bulldog — 305 PSI

The American Bulldog is a strong, muscular breed with a broad head, powerful jaws, and a bite force of 305 PSI. Their wide jaws can inflict crushing wounds to extremities, potentially resulting in permanent disability and requiring long-term medical treatment.

German Shepherd — 238 PSI

German Shepherd bite strength of 238 PSI. Their bite can penetrate deeply through muscle and connective tissue, causing wounds that are prone to severe infection, particularly when they target vulnerable areas like the neck and face.

American Pit Bull Terrier — 235 PSI

Pitbull bite strength equals 235 PSI despite their medium size. These tenacious dogs often refuse to release their grip during attacks, leading to extensive tissue damage. Their persistence makes defensive measures particularly difficult for victims.

Common Types of Dog Bite Injuries

Dog bite injuries can vary in severity and may include:

• Puncture wounds: Deep puncture wounds caused by a dog's teeth can lead to tissue damage and infection.
• Lacerations: Sharp teeth can cause cuts and lacerations, potentially damaging muscles, nerves, and blood vessels.
• Fractures: The force of a dog's bite can result in bone fractures, especially in vulnerable areas such as the hands and arms.
• Infections: Bacterial infections are common complications of dog bites, requiring prompt medical treatment to prevent serious consequences.
• Facial injuries: Attacks to the face can cause disfigurement requiring reconstructive surgery and affecting breathing, speaking, and self-esteem.
• Traumatic brain injuries: Being knocked down during attacks can result in concussions or more severe brain trauma, affecting cognitive function.
• Nerve damage: High-PSI bites can crush or sever nerves, causing chronic pain, numbness, or permanent loss of function in affected areas.
• Psychological trauma: A dog bite injury can not only result in severe physical injuries and deformities, but also psychological trauma. Victims may need to undergo counseling to heal from their mental wounds resulting from the attack.

In one tragic case in East Baton Rouge Parish, a 7-year-old girl was killed by a neighbor’s pit bull in 2023. The dog’s owner was charged with negligent homicide. Cases like this underscore just how dangerous dog attacks can be — and why legal accountability is so critical in high-risk bite incidents.

Compensation You May Receive After a Dog Bite Incident

Dog bite injuries can lead to lasting physical, emotional, and financial harm, and these incidents are more common than many realize. In 2023, Louisiana ranked 16th nationwide in reported dog attacks on U.S. Postal Service employees, with 113 incidents reported across the state.

These attacks reflect a broader trend. Nationwide, insurance companies paid out more than $1.6 billion in dog bite and related injury claims in 2023 — a 19% increase from the previous year. This sharp rise illustrates just how serious and financially burdensome these cases can be, especially when powerful, high-PSI breeds are involved.

If you’ve been injured in a dog attack in Louisiana, you may be entitled to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. Damages available in a dog bite case may include:

Medical Bills

This includes reimbursement for all medical treatment related to the dog bite, such as hospitalization, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation. It covers both current and future medical expenses necessary for the victim's recovery.

Lost Income

Dog bite victims may be compensated for wages lost due to time taken off work for medical treatment, recovery, or disability resulting from the injury. This includes both past and future lost income, including diminished earning capacity if the injuries affect the victim's ability to work.

Pain and Suffering

Damages for pain and suffering compensate victims for physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish resulting from the dog bite. This includes the psychological impact of the attack, such as fear, anxiety, and PTSD.

Disfigurement

If the dog bite results in permanent scarring, disfigurement, or other cosmetic defects, the victim may receive damages for the physical and emotional effects of their altered appearance. This includes compensation for any necessary cosmetic surgery or treatments to improve the appearance of scars or disfigurement.

At Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers, we understand how life-altering a serious dog bite can be. Our experienced Shreveport dog bite attorneys are committed to helping you recover full compensation, so you can focus on healing while we handle the fight for justice.

Louisiana's Dog Bite Statute of Limitations

Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations (time limit deadline) to file a lawsuit has recently changed. For dog bite incidents occurring before July 1, 2024, the statute of limitations is one year from the date of the injury. For dog bite incidents occurring on or after July 1, 2024, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the injury.

This means that if you miss this deadline, then you will most likely not be able to pursue compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering. This brief timeframe creates several urgent considerations:

• Medical documentation challenges: High-PSI breed attacks often require multiple surgeries while your legal deadline approaches.
• No exceptions for severity: Courts enforce the deadline strictly, even for catastrophic injuries from powerful breeds like Kangals.
• Permanent loss of rights: Missing the deadline by even one day typically bars you permanently from compensation.
• Investigation requirements: Cases involving high-PSI breeds need prompt investigation into breed history, verification, and bite pattern documentation.
• Evidence concerns: Critical evidence about bite force and injury patterns deteriorates quickly, including witness memories and physical evidence.

Being Attacked by a Dog Can Cause a Lifetime of Consequences

Don’t miss out on potentially thousands of dollars. Our Shreveport dog bite attorneys work to preserve bite force evidence before it disappears forever. Reach out for a free case evaluation and legal support.