If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.
Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.
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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
Different breeds of dog also tend to have very different physical attributes and strengths, including how strong their bite is – a measure that has been studied by scientists.
Of course, this dosn’t necessarily mean that these breeds will be more likely to bite – and individual dogs will vary greatly in strength – just that you need to be extra-careful to train these dogs properly as they have the potential to cause serious harm.
So, here are the 11 breeds that research has shown to have the strongest bites, in pressure per square inch (psi).
For reference the average human’s bite is around 162 psi.
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9. German Shepherd
Famously one one of the top dogs for police forces and armies, the German Shepherd can apply a bite of 238 psi if required to during service. | AFP via Getty Images

10. Boxer
First bred in Germany in the late 19th century from the now-extinct Bullenbeisser, the Boxer was used primarily as a hunting dog. A bit of up to 230 PSI came in handy when trying to catch wild boar and deer. | AFP via Getty Images
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11. Dobermann
The Dobermann has a bite force for this dog is 229 psi and makes a great watch dog - although they are a breed best avoided by families with young children. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken

