Dogs bite as a way to defend themselves, and the force of their bite depends on their breed, the strength of their jaw, and why they’re biting. This doesn’t mean the dog is dangerous, only that they’ve been pushed to their limit and it’s their final way of saying, “back off.”
Depending on the breed, the force and subsequent damage that your dog can cause varies. The Dogo Argentino is a breed often listed among other dogs with strong bites. Considering their origin story as Argentinian hunting dogs, this isn’t surprising.
This guide will tell you everything that you need to know about the bite strength of a Dogo Argentino and why they need such powerful jaws. A Dogo Argentino’s bite force is a whopping 500 PSI.
What Is a Dogo Argentino?
The Dogo Argentino is recognizable by their signature short white coat and solid, muscular build. They were introduced in Argentina in 1928 by a doctor. A mixture of Mastiffs, Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, and the fighting dogs of Cordoba, the breed was primarily a hunting dog and bred to have a powerful nose and an impressive lung capacity alongside their obvious muscle.
Although they’re a large dog breed, the Dogo Argentino is also highly athletic so they can properly chase down their prey.
How Strong Is a Dogo Argentino’s Bite Force?
Bred to be a powerful dog, the Dogo Argentino will track the chosen prey, attack it, and then hold it for their human hunting companion. Therefore, their jaw and bite force needs to be quite strong among dog breeds.
The bite force of a Dogo Argentino is 500 PSI. Their bite, partnered with their impressive stature, makes it easy to understand why they’re an intimidating breed.
What Is PSI?
“Pound per square inch” (PSI) is a way to measure the amount of pressure exerted on a single square inch of space. As it is impossible to accurately measure the force of a dog’s bite on such a tiny area, the results for their PSI are usually averaged.
Are Dogo Argentinos Aggressive?
In general, dogs that have the force of their bite measured are considered the more aggressive breeds, and the Dogo Argentino is no exception. As their original intention was to take down wild boar, they must be aggressive enough to subdue their prey.
Breed fanatics who are more familiar with the dogs in the Dogo Argentino’s bloodline will know that they’re all well-known fighting dogs. This doesn’t give this Argentinian breed the friendliest of faces, even beyond their intimidating presence.
Like with other dog breeds, however, an ancestry filled with fighting and taking down wild boar doesn’t make the Dogo Argentino any more dangerous than other canines. These dogs can be just as sweet as other beloved hounds and make good family dogs, provided that they’re socialized and trained well.
For this reason and the challenges faced by trainers of the breed, though, the Dogo Argentino isn’t recommended as companions for new, inexperienced dog owners.
Why Are Dog’s Bite Forces Measured?
The dogs that have the forces of their bites measured generally come from different backgrounds. They’re also the breeds known to be more aggressive. More often than not, the dogs whose bite forces are measured are:
- Police dogs, like the German Shepherd and the Belgian Malinois
- Guard dogs, like Rottweilers and Dobermans
- Fighting dogs, like Mastiffs and Bulldogs
What Dog Has the Strongest Bite?
While the Dogo Argentino has a bite force of 500 PSI, the Kangal, a guard breed from Turkey, is one of the strongest dogs in the world and has a bite strength of 750 PSI.
Bred to protect sheep from wolves, jackals, and bears, the Kangal is incredibly loyal to those that they consider family, other animals, and even children. Due to their protective natures, though, they’re often aggressive toward strangers, and it’s important to properly socialize Kangal puppies.
Wrapping Up
All dog breeds make wonderful companion animals for all sorts of people. But even their friendly, loving natures don’t mean they don’t bite on occasion. Measuring the bite forces of dogs with aggressive tendencies enables us to properly understand the risks when we take on the responsibility for taking care of these animals.
The Dogo Argentino, with a bite force of 500 PSI, has a bloodline filled with fighting dogs. As a result of this and their intimidating appearance, it’s easy to see them as a threatening breed. But with proper socialization and a careful training regime, these dogs make great companions for families.
Featured Image Credit: muroPhotographer, Shutterstock
