Centuries of dog breed developments have honed specific traits and skills unique to each breed. Domesticity’s impact may have reduced some dogs’ needs for predator-facing characteristics, but others maintain the brute strength it takes to overpower vicious threats like wolves.
Wolves can reach a height of around 30 inches and a weight of up to 100 pounds. A wolf’s bite force hits a maximum of 600 psi.
Here is a list of thirteen working dog breeds with a comprehensive look into the ancestral roots and physical traits that give them the ability to kill a wolf.
Table of Contents
Cane Corso
Cane Corso, also known as the Italian Mastiff, is a massive breed with battle origins. In ancient Rome, Cane Corso fought alongside soldiers as war dogs because of their size, strength, and innate protectiveness.
The breed possesses a territorial nature, a large and muscular frame, and a sharp wit. Cane Corso also carries natural athleticism and a penchant for guardianship from their breeding background of hunting colossal game like bears and lions in Italy.
These dogs reach heights of up to 27.5 inches and weigh up to 120 pounds, with a deadly bite force of 700 psi. Cane Corso is a formidable opponent who will exhibit zero intimidation went confronting a wolf.
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are of Eastern European origin, bred for centuries to protect properties and livestock from wild predators. These are mountain dogs that have been around for at least 2000 years.
Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can reach heights of up to 30 inches tall and weigh up to 170 pounds, with a bite force of 700 psi. This breed takes its guarding duties extremely seriously, serving as loyal and affectionate family dogs but can prove fatal to trespassers, including wolves.
Alabai
The Alabai, also known as the Central Asian Shepherd Dog, is one of the world’s most long-standing breeds. For over 4,000 years, the strength and endurance of these dogs have been fortified through natural selection.
Reaching heights of up to 28 inches and weights of up to 110 pounds, Alabais are not for the faint of heart. Their bite force is 650 psi and they famously show no mercy against large predators, meaning any wolf that crosses their path is unlikely to survive.
Kangal Shepherd Dog
Kangals come from Central Turkish origins, bred for livestock guardianship. They are lean and athletic, reaching heights of up to 31 inches and weighing up to 132 pounds.
The Kangal Shepherd Dog is so adept at fighting off large predatory game that the breed is an export to African countries like Kenya and Namibia to protect herds from cheetahs, lions, and other indigenous big cats.
Kangal Shepherd Dogs have the most powerful domestic animal bite force globally at 731 psi. Wolves hardly stand a chance against this mighty breed.
Dogo Argentino
Dogo Argentino, also known as the Argentinian Mastiff, is a hulking hunting breed with vigilance and force in its DNA, thanks to its fighting origins. The breed was born from a desire for a visually striking and ferocious dog that could easily overpower pumas and wild boars.
Dogo Argentino can weigh up to 100 pounds and reach a height of up to 27 inches, with a bite force of 500 psi. Their intelligence and obedience pair well with their strength and sturdy build to guard against large predators like wolves.
Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound has a history of being an honorable and coveted breed by the likes of kings, emperors, and ambassadors because of their sheer stature. These dogs are of the sighthound family, meaning they predominantly hunt using speed.
The breed won its name because of its ability to hunt wolves, so it’s not surprising to see them on this list. Irish Wolfhounds can weigh up to 200 pounds and reach a height of up to 32 inches. Their bite force is 224 psi. It is their size and speed that can overpower that of a wolf.
Tibetan Mastiff
People refer to the Tibetan Mastiff as “the lion of the dog world” because of their size and fur’s dignified resemblance to a lion’s mane. They can grow to a height of 26 inches and can weigh up to 160 pounds.
This Tibetan guardian breed has historically been viewed as sacred, with their original culture believing them to be reincarnations of nuns and monks who did not make it to paradise. Tibetan Mastiffs also bond especially deeply with their owners, fostering their natural protectiveness.
With a bite force of 560 psi and an ancient lineage of guarding people, livestock, and property, a Tibetan Mastiff can kill a wolf without question.
Komondor
The Komondor is a livestock guardian with Hungarian roots. These dogs come from a nomadic pagan culture with so much herding skill and understanding its people designed and bred a perfect hunting machine.
Komondors have the power and intelligence that hunting herd threats requires while also possessing a thick, white, cordlike coat resembling the livestock it protected to blend in. This breed stands up to 28 inches tall and weighs up to 100 pounds, with a bite force of 400 psi.
Tosa Inu
Tosa Inu, also known as the Japanese Mastiff, was bred as a fighting dog. These dogs are controversial due to a unique cultural characteristic intrinsic to the breed: fighting in silence.
When Japanese breeders created the Tosa Inu in the 19th century, the intention was to create a fighting dog that did not growl or bark before launching an attack, with samurai warriors as the inspiration.
This intentionally dangerous trait results in many bans on the breed, and potential owners should research the dog’s legality and special circumstances. Tosa Inu can reach up to 26 inches tall and weigh up to 200 pounds, with a bite force of 556 psi.
Dogue de Bordeaux
Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff, is famous for the breed’s appearance in the 1989 film “Turner and Hooch.” Bred for property guardianship in the Middle Ages, these dogs narrowly escaped extinction.
Back from the brink, the sturdy and slobbery Dogue de Bordeaux can reach a height of up to 27 inches and weigh up to 110 pounds. With a bite force of 556 psi, this breed is more than capable of killing wolves.
Wolfdog
The Wolfdog is – you guessed it – a hybrid breed combining a wolf with a domestic dog. Grey, red, Ethiopian, and eastern wolves can all mix with domestic dogs to create this hybrid, with grey wolves being the most common.
The history of the Wolfdog is a bit murky, with possible breed documentation ranging from all over the world and as far back as 10,000 years. A Wolfdog is an uncommon pet, reserved for highly experienced owners.
A Wolfdog can stand as high as 33 inches tall and weigh up to 125 pounds, with a bite force of 406 psi. The extra force this hybrid breed carries due to its blending with domestic dogs makes it possible for a Wolfdog to overpower a full-blooded wolf.
Perro de Presa Canario
The Perro de Presa Canario is a working cattle breed originating from the Canary Islands. Research shows the Presa Canario comes from Spanish conquistadors looking to protect herds by killing the native, smaller stray dogs.
The breed became a local favorite after proving capable against wolves, too. Several Hispanic breeds contributed to the Presa Canario, including mastiffs and sheepdogs.
These dogs are territorial, loyal, vigilant, and courageous. Presa Canario can reach a height of up to 26 inches and weigh up to 110 pounds, with a bite force of 540 psi.
Armenian Wolfhound
The Armenian Wolfhound, also known as the Gampr Armenian Wolfhound, is a massive breed, standing as tall as 35 inches and weighing up to 185 pounds. Armenian Wolfhounds are hybrids with wolves that Armenian breeders designed for livestock protection.
These dogs are fiercely loyal, muscular, and territorial. They naturally alert the other dogs when suspicious of a stranger to indicate attack-readiness. Armenian Wolfhounds have a bite force of 650 psi, making them a strong opponent against wolves.
Final Thoughts
The desire for powerful, intelligent, loyal, and protective dogs goes back thousands of years. The search for a canine companion capable of guarding livestock and property has brought many strong and intimidating breeds.
Now, you know thirteen types of dogs that can kill a wolf!
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.
