Last week I was a caller on one of Spider Jones radio shows on CFRB. I knew Spider was doing a show on breed specific legislation, commonly known as "BSL". I had kind of assisted on getting the show on air. Dawne Sweeny, from the DLCC was Spider's "go to person" on the subject and did an outstanding job representing, "The Dog Legislation Council of Canada" and spoke of her twenty years plus "hands on" experiance dealing with dogs and especially pit bull type dogs.
While waiting "for my turn on air" to speak on Canadian fatal dog attacks and hopefully fit in that I have had pit bulls in my life for about 20 years, a woman came on and said she had read many books about dogs and put herself up as a "kind" of expert. Even I was "biting" into her self proclaimed credentials when she did it! Yes, I am talking about spewing off a study about "pit bulls having a bite force of 2000 per square inch (PSI). You've heard it said before and sadly, I've heard it said... way to many times.
Now is this possible?
Firstly there has never been a fully documented completed study on the bite force per square inch of domestic dogs that can be found by credible professors. The statement this woman uttered has been totally unsubstantiated in scientific literature. One domestic dog study was tried but never got past the pilot stage due to the difficulty in getting "accurate" readings from the 22 dogs tested. It was called "Measurement of Bite Force in Dogs: A PILOT STUDY.
So, considering the above, let's compare one of the strongest PSI's ever recorded and do some comparisons. University of Florida zoologist Kent Vliet, has been quoted as saying. "Bite force is linked to the size of the animal" and it sounds like just old "common sense" to me.
Now here is some FACTS.
A alligator named Hercules was clocked at 2,125 PSI. It's bite was compared to a mid-size sedan falling on top of someone. Hercules weighed 665 pounds and was 12 and a 1/2 feet long.
Now to put things into prespective here; an "average" pit bull type dog weighs in around 65 pounds and is normally around 3 to 4 feet long without the tail.
Is anyone paying attention here?
Now let's compare Lions. On average, a male lion can reach 6 to 8 feet long and weighs anywhere from 270 to as high as 500 pounds. It is "estimated" that lions have a average bite force from approximately 600 to 950 PSI. Quick, let's go back to that average pit bull type dog weighing around 65 pounds and being in or around 3 to 4 feet in length. Now, let's put our "thinking caps" on.
Considering the above, how can anyone, with even a quarter of a "working brain", even remotely contrive that a average pit bull type dog's bite is 3000 PSI or even 2000 or even 1000 PSI?
DUH?
Attached is a video showing three larger canine breeds being tested for bite force. This bite force competition was between a German Shepherd, a Rottweiler and a Pit bull type dog. Each dog was tested twice with the highest of the bite force used. The final results of this particular test will probably amaze many. The shepherd came out with 238 PSI, the rottweiler 328 and the pit bull? It's average was actually the lowest of the three dogs with 235 PSI.
http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/bite-force-competition-between-rottweiler-german-shepherd-and-pitbull/17469413
It is really time to dispel the many myths of pit bull bites. ( I'll go into the "locking jaws" myth at another time). Sometimes people just need to use plain good old common sense. Next time you hear someone repeating this myth, force them to really think about what they are saying and use the comparables given.
If we can't educate them, the least we can do is embarress 'em.
http://animal.discovery.com/reptiles/alligator/
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Who_has_greater_bite_force_tiger_or_lion
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Wild-Animals-705/f/BITE-FORCE.htm
Those demonizing dogs by breed and using inaccurate data to support their claims have negatively impacted of so many people and their dogs.
ReplyDeleteA German Shepherd/Akita mix dog tore up my "pitbull"'s face, neck, throat and head.
Iwil send you the photos of my maimed dog. That dog had not a mark on him.
Well said! I saw the bite report on the three breeds when it came out and was not surprised. Excellant ananlysis with the Lion and Alligator; sometimes it just takes a simple thought to put you back into reality with "statistics" that get thrown around.
ReplyDeleteSpecs
ReplyDeletePeople are so ignorant!
I love that comment at the end! People ARE ignorant to quote Specs. Good on them and good for you for trying to dispell a few myths about the pitbull. Educate educate educate dammit.
ReplyDeleteim so glad somebody is still down to earth. i keep hearing that pitbull # go up and up, it goes from 1000 psi to 2000 psi and now 3000 psi. that would take your arm clean off!
ReplyDeletetest de morsure vigueur: pit-bulls: 107 et près de 127 kg
ReplyDeletetest bite force: 2 rotweilers: 149kg and around 160kg ; american bulldog: 138kg ; germany shepherd: 108kg ; malinois shepherd: 88kg ; 2 tosa-inus: 150kg and 251kg(556psi) ; wolf: 183kg = 406psi(can best do!) ; wild lycaon: 144kg ; spotted hyene: 360kg at 453kg ; 2 lions: 313kg and + of 400kg ( 2 pit-bulls: 107kg and around 127kg ) I think that this resultats are true !
ReplyDeletewhatever they said up there is true. and people need to stop the lieing and making up bullshit about pitbulls. and help save some lifes out there they need you.
ReplyDeletebite force is linked to the size of an animal - tip of a needle exerts more force to the ground then a tank.and how do you know that pit bull wonted to bite load cell.try to put load cell in another Pit bull and then do the measurements.i had a Pit bull that could open jaws to bite basketball (ears almost touching on the top of the head) and it could puncture that ball with no problem at all.what would be the force on her back toots.you agree that there is a difference where the force is measured, right?i would rather bee bitten by a German Shepard or even Rottweiler then a Pit bull.they will let go if you punch them hard enough.
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DeleteI dnt agree with the tests done, for me their wasn't any concrete stats done! The pitbull tested was in no way adlist for me, the creme of the crop my pit weighs 90 pounds and hangs on a spring pole for over 15 minutes lol and pulls 560lbs sled work please test him lmao anyways, I believe in saving the breed they deserve better. Dog trainer and certified pitbull breeder
ReplyDeleteThen your pit bull is a mutt and cross bred. The average pit bull weighs anywhere from 45 to 65 pounds. You most likely have an American bully which is a backyard breeders pit bull.
DeleteWhat a scumbag if ur dog is attacking others like that then hat dog definetly ended up with the wrong owner .i feel sorry for both of them dogs.u should be shot in the head. Scumbag.ur the reason these dogs have the Rep that they have. Pathedic
ReplyDeleteI love my Pitts and mastiffs, been a Pitt owner for 14 yes. Best dogs in the world seriously
ReplyDeleteAnonymousApril 14, 2012 8:02 PM
ReplyDeleteI dnt agree with the tests done, for me their wasn't any concrete stats done! The pitbull tested was in no way adlist for me, the creme of the crop my pit weighs 90 pounds and hangs on a spring pole for over 15 minutes lol and pulls 560lbs sled work please test him lmao anyways, I believe in saving the breed they deserve better. Dog trainer and certified pitbull breeder.
Yes it does matter where the dog bites with the front will be significantly weaker than the back teeth so very good point. But i still think they would never reach even 1000 psi. But the bite force from the other dogs might be wrong to because when dog fighting was legal they dominated all breeds even wolfs, german shepards, and rotts. If not other dogs would have been used to fight. Pits out manuvered and out lasted and beat ALL breeds ever. thats why they call them PITbulls google it. they were the master of the ring. even in weight pulls nothing can beat the pitbull consistently. out of 10 pulls pit take at least 7 or 8. In the ring pits have 10 to 1 odds of winning because of their strength and their shorter size.
They're called pitbulls because they were bred to antagonize bulls in the pit and they did, not because they're aggressive, but because they aims to please. If their master wants them to go fight the one ton horned beast, they will. They were literally bred to get their shit ruined and still listen.
Deletelook up the weight pulls of king corso vs pitbull the pit will beat the corso and the corso out weights the pit by 50 or more pounds. how that for heart and agility.
ReplyDeleteI got my brother a pit even though my mom didnt want me too cause my youngest brother was 3 & she thought that they were dangerous. about a year later ( we also had a baby german shepard & a baby heeler all the same age as the pit when this took place) my mom ask me to look after my baby brother so he starts running to where im at & he trips skins his hands & starts crying the pit & german shepard reached him before I did & started licking & then started crying with him all the while trying to console him. me & my heeler get to him my heeler licks him & runs off too chase the horses I dust him off & the 2 "killers" follow me to make sure he is ok. So I have seen these killer dogs with a hepless kid & refuse to belive that they are dangerous all by themselves. They are like guns its the asshole behind them that makes them dangerous.Im sorry about any misspelt words. thank you for reading.
ReplyDeletewhat a load of crap you have written..sounds like you don't have a quarter of a working brain! Length and weight of an animal has little to no bearing on forces of bite..go learn some year 10 anatomy and physics you dope!
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