The Golden Retriever is a Scottish gun dog named for its striking and attractive golden-colored coat. It is generally calm, but as with any dog, its behavior cannot be predicted with complete certainty. In that case, you may be wondering what the bite force of the Golden Retriever is.
The bite force of a Golden Retriever measures up to 190 PSI. This can vary based on the intensity with which the dog bites. While the Golden Retriever bite force is strong, it pales in comparison to other large dog breeds.
Before we delve further, let’s go through some general information about the breed.
Before reading this article, “Golden Retriever Bite Force,” check out: Are Golden Retrievers Smart? (2023)
Table of Contents
ToggleAbout the Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a beautiful and lively Scottish gundog. It’s also one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States.
While they take their jobs as hunting companions, guide dogs, and search-and-rescue volunteers seriously, when they’re not working, these dogs show a charming enthusiasm for life and participate in obedience competitions.
The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized dog. The breed has a large head, kind and observant eyes, short ears, and a snub muzzle. Breed enthusiasts describe their motion as having a strong, flowing gait and a “merry action” with their fluffy tails carried.
The gamekeepers at the Guisachan estate of Lord Tweedmouth in Inverness-shire, Scotland, kept the most extensive documentation on the history of the Golden Retriever between 1835 and around 1890.
After Lord Tweedmouth’s great-nephew, the sixth Earl of Ilchester, a scholar and sportsman, released the documentation left by his ancestor in 1952, it gained widespread attention in the country magazine Country Life.
Golden Retrievers are kind, reliable, and eager to please, making them excellent family pets. Their optimistic outlook on life persists throughout adulthood. These strong gundogs thrive on outdoor exercise and play, with swimming and retrieving being particularly enjoyable activities.
What Is PSI?
PSI is an abbreviation for pounds per square inch, a unit of measurement for the amount of pressure exerted. When it comes to dog bites, it is more challenging to estimate the PSI than, say, the PSI of a car crash.
For instance, the PSI exerted by a dog’s bite won’t always be the same, as it depends on what they are biting and whether or not they have been triggered. The PSI of a playful dog nip is negligible when compared to a bite motivated by hostility or fear.
The maximum bite force of a human is only around 150 PSI, while a dog‘s maximal bite force is roughly 230 PSI, on average, when triggered.
Bite Force of Golden Retrievers
A dog’s bite force is the amount of pressure it can apply with its teeth. It is a measurable physical feature that can help determine how powerful a dog’s bite is. Golden Retrievers can apply a significant amount of pressure while biting or clinging onto items thanks to their large jaws.
This ability makes them powerful retrievers, capable of bringing down prey such as birds and rabbits as well as larger animals. However, it is important to remember that differently-sized and bred dogs have varying levels of biting force.
In terms of biting force, the Golden Retriever is a powerful dog breed, with a rating of 190 PSI. They can use their powerful bite to quickly and effortlessly bite through solid objects.
On the other hand, if one compares it to the biting power of other dog breeds, such as the Cane Corso and Giant Schnauzer, the Golden Retriever’s bite is relatively weak.
Comparison with Other Breeds
A Golden Retriever’s bite force is up to 190 PSI. That is roughly 40% less powerful than the bite force of a Doberman Pinscher, but roughly 40% more powerful than the bite force of a Chihuahua.
The maximum bite force that a wolf can exert is 280 PSI, whereas a Husky‘s maximum bite force can reach up to 300 PSI. While the Golden Retriever is known for its powerful bite, other dog breeds, such as Rottweilers and Malamutes, can exert more force in their bites.
Golden Retrievers have been selectively bred so that they do not have a strong biting instinct and instead possess a naturally gentle mouth. They seem sweet and caring, but they can be fiercely protective of their loved ones and possessions.
Golden Retriever Bite Levels
Dog bites can range from mild to severe across six categories. Your Golden Retriever’s biting strength varies with his or her level of fear and individual temperament.
Level 1
A level-one bite is typically an “air snap.” The dog does not show any signs of wanting to bite the human, and its teeth do not make contact with the person’s skin.
It is meant to serve as a warning. This is the dog’s way of letting you know that he is unhappy with the way things are currently going, and if they do not change, he will bite.
Level 2
The amount of aggression is slightly increased with each step as you progress through the biting levels, beginning with the least aggressive and working up to the most aggressive.
When a dog’s teeth make contact with human skin but fail to leave a visible mark, this is considered a level-two dog bite. This is regarded as a warning, and its primary purpose is to scare someone off or discourage them from continuing.
Level 3
When a dog bite reaches level three, it means the dog has punctured the skin of the human victim. This type of bite will leave marks on the victim and is used for defense purposes.
Level 4
At the fourth level, there will be bruising where the puncture occurred. The force of the bite is more intense, and the dog may shake his head from one side to the other while he does so.
Level 5
A bite that causes considerable injury to the victim is considered a level-five bite. The force applied to the bite is extremely high. As a result, it is advised that the majority of dogs who have shown a level of aggression comparable to this one be put down because of the risk they pose.
Level 6
Dog attacks that result in the victim’s death, whether it be an animal or a human, are considered to be of level six severity, although you should know that this happens very rarely.
Reasons Why Golden Retrievers Bite
The American Veterinary Medical Association recently published research that proves that the primary causes of violent dog behavior, irrespective of breed, have to do with the owner’s mismanagement of the dog, as well as the owner’s neglect and abuse of the dog.
If you provide your Golden Retriever with the proper training and attention, you can significantly cut down on the likelihood that he will bite. But bites continue to be a possibility.
These are common causes of biting behavior in Golden Retrievers:
- Is the dog feeling frightened or attacked, or does it have bodily pain? This may happen if the children play too rough with the dog and accidentally harm it, or if there is another hostile dog in the neighborhood.
- What kind of breeder did you get your puppy from? Was it properly socialized? Your puppy could be traumatized and fearful of humans if it was not treated properly as a pup or if it was subjected to abuse or neglect.
- Is your dog a purebred, or does it share DNA with a breed that is more likely to be aggressive? Sometimes, a dog will have characteristics and an appearance that seem to be typical of one breed, even though the animal in question is a hybrid. Your puppy’s violent tendencies may not be typical of Golden Retrievers if he comes from a mixed-breed background.
- Is it a very young dog or an old one? A dog’s age affects the likelihood of a bite, and it is highest in young puppies and older dogs. A younger puppy may not have had time to learn not to bite, while an older dog might be more inclined to bite out of fear due to failing eyesight or hearing.
All of these considerations could lead you to understand why your typically gentle Golden Retriever would snap.
Are Golden Retrievers Prone to Aggression?
How aggressive are Golden Retrievers? Not very. Yes, your Golden Retriever, mellow as he or she may be, still has the potential to act aggressively at times. However, this is not the norm, and this might just be a one-time occurrence.
Golden Retrievers are not prone to aggression. They’re the kind of dogs who make you smile and want to spend time with them. Although there is a proverb that states, “Even a worm will turn.” The truth is that everyone is capable of acting violently when they are ill, in pain, or when they receive unfair treatment.
Is aggression more common in male Golden Retrievers than females? A little. It’s just that males, especially before they are neutered and lose their ability to reproduce, have a propensity to be more possessive of their territory.
Although Golden Retrievers as a breed are not typically aggressive, males are more likely to display aggressive tendencies than females.
The majority of the time, aggressive behavior in Golden Retrievers can be traced back to poor breeding, irresponsible dog owners, insufficient training, or a lack of socialization. This could also include harsh behavior, such as abuse, neglect, or cruelty.
How to Prevent Your Golden Retriever from Biting
Regardless of breed, play-biting is one of the activities that you’ll see your puppy engage in the most. Keep in mind that your puppy is not acting in this manner because he is being mean. Rather, he is just engaging in one of the many behaviors typical of a puppy.
The Golden Retriever, fortunately, is one of the dogs that can be trained with relative ease.
When you bring your Golden Retriever puppy home at eight weeks of age, you should start training right away. By doing so, you can prevent the development of undesirable habits (such as biting and chewing) at an early age.
The most crucial point to remember is that rewarding your puppy with food or attention after it has bitten should be strictly avoided. That acts as a form of reinforcement for the unfavorable behavior.
To train your puppy effectively, you need to get to know them and be aware of the situations in which they are most likely to bite so that you can prepare for them.
In response to biting behavior, you should give a firm “no” and then instantly turn your back. Withdrawing attention in this way gives a strong message that the biting behavior is not acceptable.
If you notice that your puppy is getting “mouthy” during play, you can try giving them a chew toy. Some trainers also advise using a bitter spray on your hand or arm to deter biting.
The key to success with any method you choose is to stick with it. Consistency is key!
Frequently Asked Questions
The Kangal has the strongest bite force among dog breeds, topping out at 743 PSI.
Given their nature as hunters, Golden Retrievers are strong, capable dogs.
Due to their size and loyalty, Golden Retrievers will protect their owners from harm.
Conclusion for “Golden Retriever Bite Force”
The Golden Retriever is a generally calm and loving dog breed that is not known to bite humans or other animals, even in the face of a threat. Nevertheless, they have a bite force of 190 PSI which can cause significant harm if they do decide to attack.
If you find this guide, “Golden Retriever Bite Force,” helpful, check out:
- Once a Dog Bites, Will It Bite Again? (2023)
- Why Does My Dog Bite My Cat’s Neck? 5 Reasons! (2023)
- Why Does My Dog Bite My Feet? 7 Reasons. (2023)
Learn more by watching “Golden Retriever: The Pros & Cons of Owning One” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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