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- Some of the strongest dog breeds on this list include pit bulls, German shepherds, and Great Danes.
- Many of the dog breeds mentioned in this content were originally bred as working dogs.
- Like most of the animals listed here, strength may be what they were bred for, but other positive qualities such as affection tend to be more important over time.
Which are the strongest dog breeds in the world? The idea of owning one of the strongest dogs appeals to many people, not because they want a ferocious animal, but because these animals tend to be gentle giants.
Strong dogs that can keep up with active owners and do well in busy homes, farms, and home protectors. But when they don’t have to put on a strong side, any of these muscular retrievers can be your best friend and cuddle buddy.
If you’re looking for one of the strongest dogs around, get ready to fall in love with this breed that not only provides strength against other animals, tough jobs, and humans. The strongest of these are breeds that bring a lot of history and loving companionship. Some were bred hundreds or even thousands of years ago for bite strength or fighting.
Others are bred as bodyguards or agricultural work animals. Knowing their history and background can help you understand their strengths in the first place, and why training and socialization are so important to these mighty animals.
To help you find a new companion with strength, companionship and loyalty, check out these 10 strongest dog breeds in the world.
#10: Cane

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The Cane Corso is a breed that is often described as not only strong but also dignified. This mighty canine was originally bred for its loyalty and protective instincts in ancient Roman times. The breed is muscular, often over 100 pounds and 28 inches at the shoulders. It has an intimidating poise and a clear intelligence behind its eyes. Because of their imposing presence and ability to scare off intruders so effectively, the name the Romans chose for the breed, Cane Corso, translates from Latin as “bodyguard dog.” But as the American Kennel Club points out, it’s important to train and socialize this powerful breed, which lives 10-12 years, or they could end up “owning their owners.”
#9: German Shepherd

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Like the Cane Dog, the German Shepherd is large, muscular, intelligent, dignified, and strong. This breed, which as its name suggests originated in Germany, is so loyal and courageous that police officers around the world rely on them. The dog’s bravery is only matched by his gentle disposition when off duty. They are used by military, police and emergency forces for various search, pursuit and rescue operations.
German Shepherds can reach a height of 26 inches at the shoulder. They can pursue at high speed, or they can focus on close-range tasks. Their ability to learn many skills and commands makes them easy to work with, and when combined with their physical strength and protective nature, these characteristics make them one of the strongest, most trustworthy, and hardest dog breeds. Their lifespan is 9 – 13 years.
#8: Great Dane

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Whether viewed up close or far away, it’s easy to see why the Great Dane is one of the most powerful dogs in the world! This breed is known for its intimidating size, reaching up to 32 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 175 pounds. But unless you own one, you probably don’t know how friendly, playful, patient, and dependable these gentle giants are. Great Danes are the working class canines, ready to use their enormous size and strength to protect their home and family.
The Great Dane, which hails from Germany rather than Denmark, has been called the Apollo of dogs. They were originally bred to hunt the dangerous wild boar as part of the noble movement. Today, many owners love the breed for its sweet spirit and ability to scare off intruders at a glance. In terms of size, strength, disposition, dependability, protection and playfulness, the Great Dane is undoubtedly one of the most powerful dogs in the world! Their lifespan is 8 – 10 years.
#7: Newfoundland

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At 28 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 150 pounds, the Newfoundland is certainly a large dog with a lifespan of 8 -10 years. But it’s not just brute strength or big bones that make them one of the strongest dog breeds. In addition to their size, these dogs can combine their strength with intelligence, physical stamina and even the ability to swim long distances. These characteristics are why Newfoundlands are often used as working dogs to rescue humans, such as drowning victims. But as with the other strongest breeds, strength isn’t this dog’s best trait. The Canadian breed is sweet enough around children, earning it the nickname “nanny dog.”
#6: Siberian Husky

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Surprisingly, even the medium-sized breed ranks among the strongest dog breeds in the world. This is the case with the Siberian Husky, a beautiful animal only 23.5 inches tall at the shoulder, weighs about 60 lbs, and has a lifespan of 12 -15 years. Strength isn’t always measured by bite power, fighting power, intimidation, height, or weight. Siberian huskies have earned their place for their energy and excellent physical stamina, capable of pulling heavy sleds through deep snow for hours. Some of these dogs prove their stamina and strength every year when they compete in the famous Iditarod. They are pack animals, loyal to the group, and friendly with family, children, and each other.
#5: Bulldog

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Bulldogs were originally a cross between bulldogs and terriers. The resulting new breed is the most powerful biter on this list. Compared to several other contenders on this list, the compensating factor is the relatively light weight (pitbulls weigh between 35 -60 lbs). They have a bite force of 235 pounds per square inch (PSI). To this end, many people inhumanely bred and trained these dogs to fight illegally. Which is sad because Pit Bulls probably also have the strongest hearts for their owners. They are loving, loyal and playful pups, eager to cuddle whenever possible. Despite their ability to bite, these dogs are also easily trained not to use their jaws. This training and socialization should begin at an early age. Pitbulls typically live between 8 and 15 years.
#4: Irish Wolfhound

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The tallest of all dogs registered with the AKC is the 36-inch, 180-pound Irish Wolfhound. At first glance, these puppies don’t look like the world’s strongest dog breed. They looked more like people who were rated as “most loyal” or “friendliest”. But their calm, demure and loving demeanor only belies the grit, stamina and strength possessed by their massive bodies. The Irish Wolfhound was originally bred as a big game hunter. Amazingly, as their name suggests, these interesting creatures can kill adult elk and even wolves. When it comes to grit, tenacity, and hunting strength, the Irish Wolfhound has the stamina of any other wolfhound! Unfortunately, they have a relatively short lifespan compared to most of the other canids on this list, only living for 6 to 10 years.
#3: Rottweiler

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First recognized by the AKC as a distinct breed in 1936, the Rottweiler can reach a height of 27 inches, weigh up to 135 pounds, and have a lifespan of 8-10 years. It’s certainly not the biggest dog on this list. But, like pit bulls, Rottweilers also bring other skills to the world’s strongest canine breed. A descendant of the mastiff, this breed is muscular, especially in the hindquarters. This makes them skilled runners and boundary finishers, capable of chasing down threats and keeping them at bay. They are fiercely protective and watch over their owners like guardian angels. However, without being threatening, the angel seemed to think it was a toy poodle. Rotties are always ready to hop on the couch and snuggle up for a nap with their family.
#2: Saint Bernard

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If you ever find yourself stranded on a snowy mountain in the Swiss Alps, there is only one dog you want to save – the Saint Bernard – a true lifesaver, able to endure freezing temperatures to find lost explorers , and even warm the rescued victims to their body temperature.
Known to be playful, charming and inquisitive, these dogs, bred since the 17th century, were described as “extremely muscular” and large in size. They can reach a height of 30 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 180 pounds. That 180 lbs of love and warmth, being able to find and rescue someone lost in an avalanche, makes a St. Bernard one of the strongest dogs in the world!
Known as rescuers, the St. Bernard gets its name from the dangerous St. Bernard Pass in the Alps between Italy and Switzerland. The breed is actually known for rescuing people lost in snowy mountains and buried by avalanches. These dogs also have a lifespan of 8 to 10 years and are truly a loving and caring breed.
#1: Mastiff

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With a name that sounds close to “huge,” and a size to match the word, the mastiff is some of the strongest dogs in the world. Most of this breed outgrow adult males. They stand up to 30 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh an incredible 230 pounds. The strength lies in the numbers, as their tradition as bodyguards since 3000 BC is a testament to their courage and loyalty. Their lifespan is 6-12 years, making them another short-lived breed.
list of strongest dogs
Here is a summary list of the top 10 strongest dogs:
rank | dog breed | weight | function (historical or present) |
---|---|---|---|
10. | sugar cane | 100 lbs | human protection |
9. | german shepherd | 65 – 90 lbs | Police and military search and rescue operations |
8. | great dane | 175 lbs | hunt |
7. | newfoundland | 150 lbs | Rescue operations |
6. | siberian husky | 60 pounds | sledding |
5. | Bulldog | 35 – 60 lbs | illegal dog fighting |
4. | irish wolfhound | 180 lbs | big game hunting |
3. | Rottweiler | 135 lbs | safety and grazing |
2. | saint bernard | 180 lbs | Rescue operations |
1. | mastiff | 230 lbs | human protection |
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.