How Strong Is a Dogo Argentino’s Bite Force? PSI Measurements & Facts

Dogs bite as a way to defend themselves, and the force of their bite depends on their size, the strength of their jaw, and why they’re biting. This doesn’t mean the dog is dangerous; it's only that they’ve been pushed to their limit, and it’s their final way of saying, “Back off.”

Depending on the size and strength of 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. Their bite force is estimated to be between 250 - 300 PSI.

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the bite strength of a Dogo Argentino and why they need such powerful jaws.

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 need to be quite strong among dog breeds.

Measuring the bite force of any dog breed is tricky, and there have been very few studies on the subject. One official study focused on police dogs—specifically German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois Dogs. The trained police dogs ran 25 meters and bit down on their trainers' sleeves, which were fitted with three force sensors, and the force measured in Newtons (N). The German Shepherds’ median bite force was recorded as 360.4 N, and the Malinois’ was 247.0 N. 

National Geographic’s Dr. Brady Barr has studied animal bites, testing humans, domestic dogs, and wild animals alike. Based on the research by Dr. Barr, the Pit Bull has a jaw power of around 242 pounds per square inch (PSI). By comparison, a wolf has a bite force of roughly 398 PSI and a shark around 600 PSI.

With this information in mind, we can estimate it to be closer to somewhere between 250 and 300 PSI, something close to that of a Pit Bull. Other pages and sites have reported much higher figures than this, but there is no scientific data to support these inflated numbers.

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?

No dog breed should be characterized as being more or less aggressive than another, and the Dogo Argentino is no exception. Although breeding and genetic history do have an influence on the temperament of a dog, it is their training, socialization, and life experience that are the main drivers of behavior. With that being said, the Dogo Argentino has been long associated with fighting and boar hunting, and their physical capacity to chase, attack, and bite is considerable. Therefore, we would consider this breed to be capable of more damage if they become aggressive but not necessarily predisposed to aggression.  

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.

Wrapping Up

All dog breeds have the potential to be wonderful companion animals for all sorts of people, and they also all have the potential to bite if they are frightened, threatened, or in pain. Measuring the bite forces of dogs does not provide us with any insight into the aggression of a particular breed, but it does allow us to properly understand the risks when we take on the responsibility for taking care of these animals.

The Dogo Argentino, with an estimated bite force of around 250–300 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 magnificent dogs can be loyal and loving companions.

• See also: How Strong Is a Chihuahua’s Bite Force? (PSI Measure & Facts)

Featured Image Credit: muroPhotographer, Shutterstock