Just how afraid should we be of being bitten by a German Shepherd?
And do police use these dogs because of how strong they can bite?
A German Shepherd’s bite force can be measured using a custom load cell that uses an electromechanical sensor to measure force or weight.
In this Dig Doggy article, you will learn:
- The average bite force of a German Shepherd
- The dangers of a German Shepherd Bite
- How a German Shepherd bite compares to other breeds
And much more!
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How Strong Does A German Shepherd Bite?
A German Shepherd is more powerful than you, me, or even the Wushu champion Jet Li. With an estimated bite force of 238 PSI.
For comparison, a human’s strongest bite is anywhere from 150 to a maxim of 200 PSI.
A canine’s bite force is calculated according to pound-force per square inch; it is the pressure resulting from a force of one pound-force applied to one square inch.
Read More: >> What are the best muzzles for German Shepherds?
What Should You Know About A German Shepherd’s Bite?
A tempestuous GSD will bury its fangs into you and then shake; that will hurt. However, this bite can have more serious consequences than just a few stitches.
A German Shepherd Bite Can Cause Paralysis
Can a German Shepherd break a human bone?
Yes and more! With a strong bite force of 238 PSI, being bitten by an adult GSD would feel akin to getting your arm squashed by two adult North Pacific Giant Octopus.
The German Shepherd bite has been known not just to break a humerus bone, but could also kill in some situations.
With such incredible strength, those incisors and canines can lacerate muscle and tendon attachments to a person’s arm and shoulder.
Even if you survive a German Shepherd assault, I cannot guarantee that you will be able to perform daily tasks that used to be second nature.
The crushing force of a GSD bite can damage nerves and surrounding tissues, resulting in axonotmesis or a more severe injury called neurotmesis.
A German Shepherd Bite Won’t Give You Rabies
A dog is born with rabies — this is a misconception. A dog that bites does not mean it has rabies.
Rabies lyssavirus, the neurotropic virus, has been associated with canines more than any other mammal, especially in countries where vaccination programs are limited.
Although canines do serve as a reservoir of the virus, rabies is not inborn. If it were, veterinary practitioners would find it risky to assist deliveries.
A German Shepherd, notwithstanding its age, can only have rabies if a rabid animal bites it.
Once the test has confirmed the infection, that particular dog is almost certain to die within a week or less.
Regrettably, there is no cure for rabies both for humans and canines.
While bites are the most common mode of transmission, you can also acquire rabies from non-bite exposures, including abrasions and scratches.
Rabies is also transmitted when the saliva of a rabid dog enters your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Read More: >> Whats the best E-training collar for GSDs?
Why Do German Shepherds Have A Powerful Bite?
The muscular breed can knock bipeds with ease even if you are in excellent shape.
Pair that brawny build with a mouth that is more or less unchanged from its wolf ancestor, and you are looking at serious flesh wounds, broken bones, and ruptured blood vessels.
German Shepherds might not be gigantic, but their biggest strength stems from their powerful jaws.
Moreover, German Shepherds run fast! These canines run faster than you and will often win! If an assailant runs away, they will catch them and knock them down.
How Does A German Shepherd Bite Compare To Others?
Let us see how the German Shepherd measures up to some other powerful canine breeds.
Scientists agreed that canine breeds with a huge skull and a wide jaw have the most powerful bite.
Although the German Shepherd has an incredible bite force of 238 PSI, it does not have the strongest bite.
The winner goes to the Kangal Shepherd, having a whopping bite force of 743 PSI.
Read More: >> What dog Toys can withstand the GSD bite force?
Final Thoughts On The GSD Bite
The German Shepherd belongs in the upper echelons of intelligence and strength in terms of bite force.
With an average bite force of 238 PSI, you will be looking at a critical injury if a furious GSD gets a hold of you.
Therefore, try not to get in a fight with one! Equally important, train your shepherd pup at an early age to avoid unwanted behaviors.
