You’re at the dog park when a happy pitbull walks up to you, smiling and wagging its tail. But you might think, “Could that dog bite?” You’re not the only one who wonders about that! Lots of people look for answers about pitbull bite strength, often because of scary stories and myths instead of real information.
Today, we’re here to help you understand “how strong is a pitbull’s bite?” Get ready to discover something surprising from science!
What Exactly is Bite Force?
Before we look at the numbers, let’s see what we are talking about. Bite force shows how strong a dog’s bite is, and it is measured in PSI, which means “Pounds per Square Inch.” You can think of it like how hard a dog bites down.
To measure a dog’s bite force, scientists use special bite sleeves with sensors in them. However, getting the right numbers can be tricky. A dog’s mood, size, and even what they are biting can change the results. This is why different studies might find different numbers.
The Real Numbers: How Much Bite Force Does a Pitbull Have?
American Pit Bull Terriers usually have a bite force of about 235 PSI. Some studies say it can be between 235 and 250 PSI, but 235 PSI is what people talk about the most.
For comparison, humans can bite down with a strength of about 120 PSI. So, yes, pit bulls are stronger than us, but here’s a surprise – that number isn’t as high as many people believe!
Pitbull Bite Force vs Other Dog Breeds
Want to know something interesting? Pitbull vs Other Dog Breeds: A Comparison of Bite Force:
Dogs with Similar or Weaker Bite Force:
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English Bulldog: 210 PSI
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American Bulldog: 305 PSI
Dogs with Similar Bite Force:
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German Shepherd: 238-291 PSI
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Doberman: 245 PSI
Dogs with Much Stronger Bite Force:
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Rottweiler: 328 PSI
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Cane Corso: 700 PSI
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Kangal: 743 PSI
So, who has the strongest bite? It’s the Kangal! Pitbulls don’t even make the top 10 for strongest bites among dogs. Surprised?
Busting the Biggest Pitbull Myths
Myth #1: The “Locking Jaw”
The Truth: Pitbulls do NOT have special locking jaws. This is not true at all! Scientists have studied pitbull skulls and jaws, and they found that they are just like the jaws of any other dog.
When people think of a “locking jaw,” they are really talking about how determined pitbulls can be. When a pitbull gets ahold of something, they really hang on tight! But their jaws work just like the jaws of any other dog.
Myth #2: Pitbulls Are More Aggressive
The Truth: How aggressive a dog is doesn’t depend on its breed. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says that you can’t tell how a dog will act just by knowing what breed it is.
So what really affects aggression? Here are some important things:
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Poor training or no training
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Lack of socialization
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Abuse or neglect
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Health problems
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Individual personality
Myth #3: Pitbulls Bite More Often
The Truth: There is no scientific evidence that pitbulls bite more than other dog breeds. Research shows that factors like not being neutered, not being socialized, and being mistreated are better indicators of biting than the dog’s breed.
Why Bite Force Isn’t the Whole Story
Here’s something important to remember: how much a dog can hurt someone isn’t just about how strong they are. There are other things to consider too:
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Size and weight of the dog
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Context of the situation
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Training and socialization
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Individual temperament
A well-trained pitbull can be a loving and loyal friend to families. Just like any strong dog, they need owners who take care of them and are responsible. This means:
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Meeting new people and animals early on
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Training with kindness and consistency
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Getting plenty of exercise and fun activities
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Learning to read dog body language and signs that they might be upset
Facts Over Fear
Here’s a quick summary of what we’ve learned:
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Pitbull bite force is around 235 PSI – it’s strong, but there are breeds with even stronger bites.
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Many breeds have stronger bites than pitbulls
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The “locking jaw” is completely false – it’s anatomically impossible
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Training and treatment matter more than breed when it comes to behavior
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Responsible ownership is key for all powerful dog breeds
The next time someone talks to you about pitbulls, you can tell them these facts. Remember, it’s better to know than to be scared. All dogs, including pitbulls, should be looked at as unique animals, not judged by stories or rumors.
Instead of sharing spooky stories, let’s focus on what’s important: taking care of our dogs, teaching them good habits, and giving them lots of love and kindness.
