The jaw strength and athletic build of a pitbull inspires both fascination and fear when comparing their capabilities to our own. With concerns for public safety around this loyal yet controversial breed reaching fever pitch, answering the question of their physical advantage has taken on new urgency.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Research studies and expert opinion conclude that while pitbulls can briefly use more strength relative to their size for biting and pulling, an average human adult has greater total body strength and endurance.
Jaw and Bite Strength
PSI Bite Force
Pitbulls have an extremely powerful bite force, measuring between 235 and 328 pounds per square inch (PSI). This PSI is significantly higher than many other dog breeds like German Shepherds (238 PSI) and Rottweilers (328 PSI).
In fact, Pitbulls have one of the strongest bite forces of any domesticated dog breed.
What makes their bite so strong? It comes down to a few key factors:
- Strong jaw muscles – Pitbulls have massive temporalis and masseter muscles on either side of their head which facilitate chewing and biting.
- Wide jaws – Their wide jaws and large surface area allow them to exert a significant amount of pressure per square inch.
- Bite style – Pitbulls tend to bite deeply and hold on, enabling them to exert their full strength.
While Pitbull PSI is high, it does not quite match the bite force of wild animals like lions (650 PSI) and tigers (1050 PSI). But among dogs, Pitbulls sit near the top of the PSI scale, above breeds like Wolfdogs (406 PSI) and Mastiffs (556 PSI).
Bite Style and Effects
In addition to having tremendous bite strength, the way that Pitbulls bite also maximizes damage. When they bite, Pitbulls have a tendency to bite deeply into tissue and hold on. This bite-and-hold style enables them to exert the full force of their strong jaw muscles.
Because of their tenacity, Pitbull bites often cause severe crushing injuries. The sustained pressure typically leaves behind major bruising, deep puncture wounds, and damage to muscles, tendons, and bones. In some cases, Pitbull bites result in disfiguring injuries or even amputation.
According to a 2000 study, Pitbull bites were implicated in 42% of dog bite-related emergency department visits at one facility. Of these visits, 51% required an operation. Pitbull bites were more likely to require surgical repair compared to other dog breeds.
Severe bites often lead to hospitalization. A 2011 study found that Pitbull bites sent over 3600 Americans to emergency rooms per year, with over 935 requiring hospitalization. Approximately 13% of these hospitalized patients required a limb amputation due to the extent of their injuries.
While some claim Pitbull bites are “just like any other dog bite”, the data shows otherwise. The combination of extreme jaw strength and bite style makes Pitbulls capable of inflicting grave wounds, leading many municipalities to consider breed-specific legislation targeting Pitbull-type dogs.
Proper training and socialization is essential to minimize risk and help Pitbulls become model canine citizens.
Muscle Mass and Athletic Ability
Key Areas of Strength
When it comes to muscle mass and strength, pitbulls have some key advantages over humans. Their muscular physique, especially in the jaw, neck, and chest regions, allow them to generate incredible bite force.
Studies have shown that pitbulls can exert over 200 pounds of pressure with their jaws, far surpassing the average human bite force of about 120 pounds.
In addition to their jaws, pitbulls have extremely muscular shoulders, front legs, and hindquarters. Their leg muscles contain a higher percentage of fast-twitch muscle fibers than humans, contributing to their explosive strength and acceleration when running and jumping.
Pound for pound, pitbulls are estimated to be 1.5-2 times stronger than the average human in pulling and gripping exercises that test overall body strength.
When it comes to athletics, pitbulls excel in activities that utilize their muscular strength and agility. Weight pulling competitions showcase their incredible power, with top pitbulls capable of dragging over 5,000 pounds.
While humans have the advantage in precision tasks like throwing and kicking, pitbulls surpass us in raw power events.
Agility and Stamina
In addition to brute strength, pitbulls are remarkably agile dogs. Their compact, muscular frame allows them to accelerate rapidly, change direction on a dime, and leap acrobatically. While humans can run faster in sprints, pitbulls have superior stamina over long distances.
Their endurance has been selectively bred in their history as tenacious hunting dogs.
Here are some statistics that demonstrate the agility and stamina of pitbulls compared to athletic humans:
- Pitbulls can run up to 25 mph, comparable to elite human sprinters.
- They can leap over 8 feet vertically, almost double what most humans can jump.
- Pitbulls can sustain speeds up to 15 mph for over a mile, outfacing most fit human runners.
This combination of explosive power and tireless endurance gives pitbulls an edge in athletic dog sports like agility competitions and flyball. Their speed and nimbleness enable them to deftly maneuver obstacles and chase balls with a level of skill exceeding any human athlete.
While pitbulls do not possess the fine motor skills needed for many human sports, their muscular physiques and athleticism are more than a match for us in activities demanding raw power, agility, and endurance.
Their strength and vigor reflect generations of specialized breeding to create an intensely physical canine athlete.
Real World Implications
Restraining a Pitbull
Pitbulls have a reputation for being strong, muscular dogs. Their brute strength makes restraining an aggressive pitbull challenging even for a full-grown adult human. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, pitbull breeds (American Staffordshire terriers and Staffordshire bull terriers) have been responsible for the most fatal attacks on humans between 1979-1998.
So knowing how to restrain a pitbull is critical for owner and public safety.
Experts recommend using strong tools like break sticks, choke poles, and catch poles specially designed to control aggressive dogs when restraining a pitbull. These tools allow the handler to restrain the dog from a safe distance.
Additionally, pitbull owners should use sturdy leashes and harnesses equipped with multiple attachment points for better control.
When restraining the dog directly, experts advise covering the eyes which has a pacifying effect. Restricting vision triggers a relaxation response. Apply firm pressure around the hips and hindquarters to prevent forward movement.
Do not try to restrain pitbulls aggressively around the neck or front legs, as this may prompt them to bite.
Injuries to Humans
Due to their muscular builds and strong jaws, pitbull attacks often cause severe injuries to human victims. According to a multi-year dog bite fatality report, pit bulls contributed to 66% of all fatal dog attacks between 2005-2017 in the United States.
Additionally, pitbull bites have sent over 280 Americans to hospital emergency rooms per day, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control.
Common injuries from pitbull attacks include deep puncture wounds, crushed bones, disfiguring injuries, limb loss and death. A 2011 study conducted over a 21-year period identified over 100 reported cases of fingertip amputation caused by dog bites, most frequently by pit bull terriers.
Pitbulls often bite multiple times during attacks, worsening injuries.
Children are most vulnerable to being maimed or killed by pitbull attacks due to their small size. A 2009 literature review found that 50% of reported child dog bite fatalities between 1966-2006 were caused by pitbull bites.
The review recommended stricter regulation for pitbull ownership to protect children.
Mitigating Danger
Socialization and Training
Proper socialization and training from an early age is crucial for pitbulls to learn how to interact safely with humans and other animals. According to the ASPCA, pitbulls that are well-socialized are no more dangerous than other breeds.
Their reputation comes more from how they are raised, trained and supervised by owners.
Owners should expose pitbull puppies to a wide variety of people, animals, places and situations during the critical socialization period between 3-12 weeks old. This teaches them to be more comfortable in different environments.
Ongoing obedience training and manners should also continue throughout their life using positive reinforcement techniques.
Furthermore, owners need to be responsible and not put their pitbulls in situations they are not equipped to handle. Proper precautions such as leashes in public areas, monitoring interactions with strangers/children, and securing one’s property can prevent scenarios that might trigger aggressive behavior.
Legislation and Public Policy
There is much debate over policies and legislation regarding pitbull-type dogs. Certain cities and counties have enacted breed-specific legislation (BSL) that places limitations on owning pitbull breeds.
However, many experts argue that BSL is ineffective and discriminatory towards responsible owners and dogs.
Rather than focusing on particular breeds, a better approach may be to have laws that promote responsible dog ownership in general and dealing with dangerous dogs on an individual basis. Policies could include stronger consequences for negligent owners, anti tethering laws, sterilization of strays, better resources for training/socialization and breed-neutral dangerous dog laws.
There also needs to be more public education on safety around dogs and overcoming prejudice towards pitbulls. With proper socialization, training and responsible ownership, pitbulls can make loyal, loving companions. However, no dog should ever be 100% trusted with a vulnerable child.
Conclusion
While the statistics clearly show pitbulls can leverage more strength in specific physical feats like biting, the evidence does not support the idea they possess more overall power and endurance. With a level head and proper precautions, peaceful coexistence with this breed is possible for any dog lover.
