Huskies can look intimidating to people who are unfamiliar with the breed or nervous around dogs in general, but do Huskies have a strong bite force?
Huskies have a bite force of 320 PSI, which is very strong and capable of inflicting a lot of damage. Although they have such a strong jaw, it’s extremely rare to see them act aggressively towards anyone.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything there is to know about Husky bite force and why this breed is not as intimidating as they look.
Let’s get into it.
Contents
What Is PSI?
Without getting too scientific, PSi stands for pounds per square inch and relates to the amount of force exerted over a certain area.
Humans can bite with around 162 psi, for some context.
Husky Bite Force
As mentioned before, a Huskies bite force measures 320 PSI. For comparison, an Alaskan Malamute’s bite force is estimated to be around 300 to 500 PSI, and it only takes around 100 PSI to break lots of the bones in the arm.
When you compare this to all other dog breeds, Huskies are almost in the top ten for the strongest bite force.
What Dog Has The Strongest Bite?
According to the latest research, the Kangal takes the trophy for having the strongest bite force capable of exerting a force of 743 PSI.
These dogs are bred to protect livestock and have a very strong guarding instinct, so it’s clear to see how dangerous they could be if you get on the wrong side of them.
How Strong Are Huskies?
Not only do Huskies have a strong bite force, but scientists constantly rank them as one of the strongest dog breeds.
Originally bred for pulling heaving hunting sleds across the Arctic, Huskies are both strong and capable of amazing feats of endurance.
In fact, one Husky can pull 85 lbs or the weight of half an average-sized human – that’s usually over 2x their weight!
In addition, they can run at a pace of 10-14 mph over long distances and 20 mph over short distances. It’s even been said that sled dogs can travel over 90 miles in 24 hours while pulling 85 lb each.
Between their brute strength and bite force, it’s easy to see why some people get huskies to be their companions on long, exerting journeys.
Can Huskies Be Aggressive?
Since they are such a strong breed, one might be worried about a Husky’s aggression.
However, Huskies are one of the least aggressive breeds out there! Even though they are strong, they rarely feel the need to show it.
Breed aggression primarily comes from what the original breeders bred the dog to do.
For example, dogs like Dobermans bred to guard properties or animals are more likely to become protective of their toys, family, and home.
Since Huskies were bred to pull sleds in the Arctic, they aren’t naturally prone to aggression or guarding.
That being said, any dog can become aggressive and should be adequately trained. Although Huskies are unlikely to attack anyone, any dog can be triggered by past cruel behavior or potential dominance.
Especially given their size, strength, and bite force, an aggressive Husky can be dangerous for kids, strangers, or others.
If your Husky starts to become aggressive, it’s crucial to determine the root cause of the aggression and get training as soon as possible.
Are Huskies Kid-Friendly?
Not only are huskies not prone to aggression, but they are also incredibly kid-friendly. Huskies are known for their love of snuggling, hugging, kissing, and cuddling. Therefore, they don’t usually mind being caressed and cuddled by children.
In addition, since they aren’t a herding breed, they are usually very relaxed around running and screaming children. They are also one of the most outgoing breeds and aren’t likely to be scared or startled by new children.
However, as previously stated, any dog can develop aggression or fear. Like all other breeds, Huskies need to be appropriately trained to avoid accidentally hurting kids. As they are an energetic breed, they like to jump, pounce, run, and play. Thus, training your Husky not to jump or pounce on kids will be necessary.
In addition, children need to be trained on how to interact with dogs appropriately.
Huskies and other dogs usually give signs when they are done playing or aren’t enjoying a particular interaction. Therefore, kids should be taught:
- How to properly interact with dogs
- How dogs communicate
- Dog’s early signs of annoyance, irritation, and anger
Will A Husky Protect You?
Although Huskies are quite strong and intimidating, they are one of the friendliest breeds out there – and unlikely to protect you from others. However, with the proper training, any dog can become protective.
Huskies’ ancestors, the Chukchi, were treated well by their native owners. They were trained so well that the breed became loving, affectionate, and abundantly friendly over time. In addition, since Huskies were never bred to guard anything, it isn’t their instinct to be suspicious of dogs or strangers.
Huskies are also pretty independent and stubborn. Due to this, they are more likely to run in the face of danger than to protect you.
As previously stated, owners can train almost any dog to be protective. While not inherently protective, Huskies have a strong prey drive and are very intelligent.
Training them can be fun, but it can also prove difficult due to their independent nature.
Although they may not be directly protective, Huskies’ strong, sharp look intimidates strangers. So, walking next to a Husky may act as a hindrance alone to a malicious stranger.
In Summary
Huskies are one of the strongest breeds, with one of the fiercest bites. However, Huskies aren’t commonly known for their aggression. While this seems contradictory, huskies were made for pulling heavy sleds – not guarding their homes or protecting their owners.
Therefore, Huskies are excellent for family settings and extensive excursions. While these dogs may accidentally hurt a child from their energetic personality, they aren’t likely to attack anyone.
However, even though they aren’t inherently aggressive, Huskies must be properly trained to avoid any bad behavior or accidents.
