Ever wondered how strong the bite of your Goldendoodle actually is? Whilst not a breed known as a guard dog, they are still a dog which means they still have the ability to bite. Their jaws will be strong, and, in this article, we will take a look at just how strong they really are.
There are no direct, peer-reviewed studies that have been carried out to conclude the average bite force of the Goldendoodle. Based on their size and lineage, their bite strength will be similar to that of a Golden Retriever which is 190 PSI. The bite force is stronger when the back of the jaw is used.
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What is Bite Force?
Bite force is something you are most likely to hear about when discussing guard dog or fighting dog breeds, however, all dogs (indeed all creatures with teeth, including humans) can bite. Bite force means how hard can they bite.
Bite force is generated by the interaction of the masticatory muscles, the mandibles and maxillae, the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), and the teeth. The main factors affecting bite force are the size and shape of the skull and the bodyweight of the dog so it stands to reason that a larger dog will have a stronger bite force than a smaller one.
How is Bite Force Measured?
We measure bite force in PSI which is an abbreviation for pounds per square inch. In layman’s terms, this means how much pressure would you feel if you were to be bitten by a dog. There has not been a great deal of research carried out in this area so most of the figures we may hear bandied about are theory logical and based on indirect and laboratory measures.
A team of scientists based in Canada carried out a study using two separate methods, one involving live dogs that were anesthetized and had their jaws electrically stimulated and another that was theory-based, using computer images of the skulls of dogs and skulls of deceased dogs.
One point that was consistent in both studies was that the strength of the bite varied hugely depending on which part of the dogs’ mouth was tested. For example, when looking at a German Shepherd the bite force when measured towards the front of the mouth was 170 PSI compared to the back of the jaw (the part the dog would use to crunch through bones) which was measured at 568 PSI, a huge difference!
What Impacts Bite Force?
We have already briefly touched on the different factors that impact bite force – the size and shape of the head, the weight of the dog, and which part of the jaw is being used to bite. Luckily for us, if a dog were to snap or nip at us he would be using the front part of his mouth so whilst this could still be very painful and cause damage, it would be much less so than if he were to have our limb right in his mouth as he would when chomping on his favorite bone.
So how do our beloved and sweet-tempered Goldendoodles measure up when talking about bite force?
First, we must consider their size. If we are looking at a Standard Goldendoodle he is a large dog and as such has quite a large head with big jaws. However, his muzzle is quite long compared to his skull size (as opposed to a mastiff or bull breed which are breeds known for having a very strong bite) so he is more likely to use the front of his jaw. With a short-muzzled breed, as soon as anything goes into his mouth he is pretty much using the back of the jaw so it stands to reason he will bite harder.
As far as I am aware no one has actually attempted to measure the PSI of a Goldendoodle so the closest measurement we have is that of the Golden Retriever which is reported to be 190 PSI. This is actually very similar to the German Shepherd who is known throughout the world for his role as a police dog and guard dog. Somewhat surprising when you consider that the Golden Retriever was bred as a gun dog and needs to have a ‘soft mouth’ in order to bring shot game back to his handler undamaged.
Which Breed of Dog has the Strongest Bite Force?
Let’s take a look at the PSI of some well-known breeds to put things into perspective. It may surprise you to learn that the American Pit Bull Terrier, perhaps the dog you would automatically think of when talking about PSI comes in at number 19 on the list of the top 23 dog breeds with the strongest PSI!
| Position | Breed | Description |
| 1 | Kangal | The Kangal is a guardian breed originating from Sivas City in Turkey with an impressive PSI of 743 |
| 2 | American Bandogge | The Bandogge was bred with only one purpose, to be a formidable guardian and he has a PSI of 730 |
| 3 | Cane Corso | The Corso is an Italian Mastiff, surprisingly known to have a calm and gentle nature despite having a PSI of 700 |
| 4 | Dogue De Bordeaux | Best known as Hooch in the popular movie Turner & Hooch the DDB was originally a livestock guardian in his native France and has a PSI of 556 |
| 5 | Tosa Inu | This dog was bred in Japan purely for fighting and has a PSI of 556 |
| 6 | English Mastiff | Bred as a war dog this canine giant is known to be a calm and gentle family companion although he also records a PSI of 556 |
| 7 | Dogo Canario | Sadly, this dog was specifically bred to be aggressive and is linked with more fatal dog attacks than any other. His PSI measures 540 |
| 8 | Dogo Argentino | Bred to be a guard dog and hunting companion this canine has a PSI of 500 |
| 9 | Wolfdog | Bred to mimic the look of his wild ancestors this beautiful canine can be a little unpredictable and has a PSI of 406 |
| 10 | Leonberger | Despite being huge the Leo as he is affectionately known is hailed as a gentle giant although his PSI measures 399 |
| 11 | Akita Inu | Best known as the canine star of the film ‘Hachi’ this loyal Japanese breed has a PSI of 350-400! Surprising for a dog known for his cute looks |
| 12 | Rottweiler | This ancient German working breed perhaps best known as a guard dog has a PSI of 328, probably less than you may have thought |
| 13 | Husky | Known worldwide as a sled dog the Husky has a powerful bite force of 320 PSI, only slightly lower than the Rottweiler |
| 14 | African Wild Dog | This is a canine you will only see in the Zoo or on wildlife documentaries. His bite force measures 317 PSI |
| 15 | American Bull Dog | This popular pet known as a canine clown has a short jaw and wide head and has a PSI of 305 |
| 16 | Doberman | This German breed, invented by tax collector Louis Doberman who also ran the local dog pound is now better known as an impressive guard dog with a PSI of 245 |
We’re getting closer to the estimated PSI of our Goldendoodles…
| 17 | German Shepherd | The ultimate police dog instantly recognized worldwide measures a PSI of 238 |
| 18 | Great Dane | Perhaps the best known of our giant breeds. More likely to intimidate by his size than his nature has a bite force of 238 PSI |
| 19 | American Pit Bull | Bred to protect livestock but now sadly known as a fighting dog banned in many countries the Pit Bull has a PSI of 235, probably much lower than you thought |
| 20 | Labrador Retriever | It is surprising to discover that the gentle Labrador, bred to retrieve birds and now known as a Guide dog and popular family pet has a PSI pf 230, almost as strong a bite as the Pit Bull! |
| 21 | Dutch Shepherd | Sometimes mistaken for his cousin the German Shepherd, the Dutch Shepherd is a working dog from The Netherlands with a PSI of 224 |
| 22 | Chow Chow | Recognizable by his teddy bear looks and blue tongue the Chow Chow hails from China and has a PSI of 220 |
| 23 | Malinois | This Belgian shepherding breed is often seen working as a sniffer dog and has a PSI of 195, very similar to the estimated bite force of a Goldendoodle |