While this site neither condones nor approves of dog fighting, it does become a factor when people are searching for guard dogs. There is a close correlation in how a dog defends itself with the selection of a dog for guarding of family and property. While dog fighting is not legal in the United States, it is not illegal to own a dog bred for fighting.
Dog fighting has been documented in the recorded history of many different cultures, and is presumed to have existed since the early domestication of the species. Many breeds have been bred exclusively for the might, mind-set, and physical features that would make them better fighting dogs.
It has also been popular in many countries throughout history and continues to be practiced both legally and illegally around the world. Japan, Russia, South Africa, and much of Latin America have either no laws against dog fighting or are lenient against this crime. Japan is one of the only countries where this form of competition is not a blood sport, but a contest with strict guidelines and ceremony.
This list of the ten best fighting dogs in the world is organized for statistical purposes and is in no way a merit or support for the sport of dog fighting. It is only to help people in deciding what breed is best for guard dog training.
10. Fila Brasileiro
The Fila Brasileiro is thought to have been developed from a number of breeds, predominantly the Mastiff, the Bulldog, and the Bloodhound. The Fila Brasileiro is an exceptional guard dogs and cattle herders. It does not hide its dislike of strangers, but these dogs are not disqualified from the show ring for showing aggression to the judges.
9. Pakistani Mastiff
All Pakistani Mastiffs have English Bull Terrier blood as well as blood from the crossings of several other British breeds such as English Mastiffs, Pointers and several types of British hunting dogs.
The Pakistani Mastiffs are victims of dog fighting but most of these rare dogs are used as guard dogs in Pakistan and India. It is because of their enormous size and strength that a few find themselves in the hands of people who choose to use them for dog fighting which is still illegal in Pakistan and its neighboring countries.
8. Cane Corso
The Cane Corso’s history is shrouded in mystery and differing opinions. It is generally agreed that the Cane Corso is a farm dog which has been used for stock control, property, guard dogs and big game hunting throughout its Italian history.
7. Caucasian Ovtcharka
The fighting strains of the Caucasian Ovcharka can contain blood of some European breeds, from mastiffs to American Pit Bull Terriers and Bandogs, but these crosses are a minority in the breed. These dogs were used for centuries to protect properties, guard livestock, kill wolves, hunt bears and the green for many other duties.
6. Presa Canario
Presa Canario was created during the 18th century for the purpose of being a guard dog, for the holding and driving of livestock, and exterminating wild or stray dogs. This dog breed was also used for dog fighting, a tradition the English settlers transplanted along with their Mastiff and Bulldog breeds. Canary Islanders consider these fights “honor fights” and not the sole purpose of the animal.
5. Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino was bred specifically to avoid the dog aggression problems inherent in the Cordoba Fighting Dog when applied to hunting, specifically its lack of ability to hunt in a pack. The creators of the breed took great care to prevent this undesirable trait from manifesting in the Dogo Argentino, as the breed was always intended to be a pack hunter.
4. American Pit Bull Terrier
There is much debate as to where the APTB belongs on this list. To some, there is no better a fighting dog, but to those who fight dogs legally, this breed is farther down on their list. This dog is most popular for dog fighting in the United States where it is highly illegal.
3. American Bandogge
While these dogs weren’t bred to be fighting dogs, they do share hostile traits with their crossbreeds, at least when it comes to other dogs, meaning that they make a poor selection for people who’ve never owned a dog, or aren’t familiar with dogs that don’t socialize well with others. Still, some do use these dogs for fighting.
2. English Staffordshire Bull Terrier
English Staffordshire Bull Terrier had originally been bred for bull baiting. The fact that it can scrap with bulls shows that it’s pretty strong breed of dog for fighting.
1. Tosa Inu
The Tosa Inu is a massive, regal dog, standing well over 30 inches at the shoulders and weighing up to 150 pounds. This is an animal of legendary courage, intelligence and amazing presence. It has been described as the Sumo Wrestler of the Canine World and is considered a National Treasure in Japan. The sight of a Tosa Inu arrayed in full ceremonial fighting regalia and traditionally brought into the fighting arena by two handlers, makes an impressive and unforgettable impact.
October 26th, 2009 on 3:50 am
ummm okay the english staffordshire has no pupose in baiting bulls. they actually came from the pit bull itself by crossbreeding it with mastifs and english bulldogs… use your common sense! the dog is much to short to bait a bull and they are not agile what so ever. they are like minature bulls thts why their nickname is english bullys. they dont even deserve to be on this list because they also have many health problems caused from desired traits of the wide chest or the wide arms owners want. An AMERICAN PIT BULL WOULD DESTROY ANY STAFFORDSHIRE PIT.. amstaff pits are now bred as showdogs by the way.
November 4th, 2009 on 11:27 am
i luv dags x
November 24th, 2009 on 7:14 pm
To be honest I have to strongly disagree with any of this ANY dog is capable of becoming a great guard dog with the correct king of training and the fact that you have put this list of dogs is not very responsible surely you should know there are going to be people that look on this site for the wrong reasons and you are basically telling them this dog is great it was breed to fight, it is wrong!
December 2nd, 2009 on 8:14 am
I like this list, but I’m not sure I’d score it the same way. First, you have to clarify, fighting WHAT exactly. Different dogs have different purposes, even among aggressive dogs. Ole’ Southern Whites or Performance line American Bulldogs for instance are truly incredible hog dogs, but while they can be trained for protection, it’s not their natural slant on life. Johnson and bully type American Bulldogs, however, take very naturally to protection work, but can rarely hog well and these are technically the same breed! So, when you discuss who fights best worldwide, fights WHAT is relavent. Next you have to ask, are we talking about commoners within a breed or ideal specimens within a breed. Commonly an English Mastiff is found sleeping, nice protection around the house, but he isn’t chaising a darned thing. I have seen an English Mastiff that hunted and were highly active and they could whoop most. In a fight with any of numerous pit dogs, most Mastiff would be torn to pieces, but some would be irritated enough to deliver the single bite required for any Mastiff to instantly kill any pit, up to and including Gull Dongs and any of the bully and Mastiff breeds smaller than the English Mastiff. I’ve seen dogs kill other animals and sometimes dogs also; it always comes down to a final single bite and it is always delivered by the bigger, heavier dog if it is different breeds fighting. Between same breeds, these become tests of strategy and longevity, but between breeds, the heavier dog can typically win if he has a heart to.
December 2nd, 2009 on 10:47 pm
Omar are you serious!!!!! Get your facts straight…the English Staffordshire Bull Terrier WAS developed for bull baiting…and is the original PITBULL….They are what people used to CREATE the AMSTAFF and AMERICAN Pitt Bull…however, due to show breeders, many of the original lines are now very rare, and that is why many of the dogs now sadly look like they do…even the American Pitt is no longer like the original dog that it once was…they have been breed for size instead of purpose…before you go ahead and dismiss the tenacity of a Stafford, you should learn the history of the pitbull breed moron
December 14th, 2009 on 2:32 pm
You have obviously never seen what a Cane Corso will do with a pit
January 15th, 2010 on 1:19 pm
in reply to Omar –
the pitbull originated from the likes of the Staffy not the other way around.
And they were bred for bull baiting.
‘english bull terriers are called bull terriers.
get your facts right you numpty.
January 30th, 2010 on 5:05 pm
Omar, you don’t know what you’re talking about. The English always had the English Staffordshire terrier..always did. The American pit bull descended FROM the AST…Americans tend to prefer larger dogs so they bred for that trait therefore that’s how pit bulls got bigger. The traditional pit bull intended for fighting tend to be 35-55 lbs. Anything over 55 lbs has mastiff in it somewhere…no debate.
February 5th, 2010 on 5:45 pm
i think pits should b mun 1 but i hate that ” people would make the m fight
February 13th, 2010 on 11:56 am
So where is the English Bull Terrier ( bull terrier USA ) on this list Which is the gladiator of fighting dogs. I agree with omar the pit bull is probably a stronger dog than the staffordshire bull terrier, But the english bull terrier is stronger than both put together.
February 22nd, 2010 on 4:14 pm
To Omar – Get your facts wright (it’s the other way around). APBT came from Staffs.
English Staffs were bred with God only knows what to produce the early pitbull
February 26th, 2010 on 12:24 am
I love my american bulldog. He is the most devoted, protective and loving dog you could ever have. And he doesnt take any shit!
March 2nd, 2010 on 10:59 pm
What about the Thai Ridgeback??? They should have made this list as they for sure beat out some breeds mentioned on this list. I own two Thai Ridgebacks and they are very well muscled, agile, inteligent dogs. Great watch dogs that only bark if something is not right or out of the norm, and great guard dogs that if they do not know you and/or are percieved to be a threat to the family, you better back off because they are fearless and will rip your face off without hesitation, unless there owners call them off.
March 9th, 2010 on 9:39 am
A reply to Omars comments
Staffies are very fast and very agile, if you look into the history of anamal breeding you would notice the size of cattle has increased massively and in the past the Staffordshire bull terrier was more than capable of handling a bull. The fact is American pit bull terriers came out of Staffie cross breading.
I have had proper bred Staffies for over 30 years and I use to show the breed. a proper bred Staffie is more than a match for any pit bull, the problem is you are basing your opinion on very poor stock.
March 15th, 2010 on 6:22 pm
I, too, possess a pit-bull who will be the most trusting animal I have ever owned. Soon, a fresh dog breed will can come along for that media to blast, as they have done rotties and dobies in past many years. Unfortunate that media sensationalism breeds much inaccurate data.
March 16th, 2010 on 9:03 pm
The Dogo Argentino is a hunting dog VERY GOOD AS IT ONCE Q VIEW TO A DAM IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE LOSE, also produced CPAZ LOT OF YE DIE FORCE IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIGHT WITH A WILD BOAR (and I’ve seen) than to leave ESCAPE …
March 23rd, 2010 on 8:55 pm
I’m with Elvis….
the staffordshire bull terrier was bred for bull baiting and was very good at it. just because a lot of people keep their dog in poor condition like those displayed in the picture here, it does not mean the breed is not agile and powerful.
as a fighting dog, originally they were poor and so had the manchester white terrier bred into them to make them more dog aggressive.
as Elvis also said, the american pitbull terrier came from the stafford not the other way around. the pit came from people taking the staffy to america and through various crosses and selective breeding, bred the staffy to be larger and heavier boned.
April 1st, 2010 on 3:17 pm
What about the Kurdish Kangal?? I think you might have missed one
June 8th, 2010 on 4:54 pm
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June 9th, 2010 on 2:21 pm
TURKISH KANGAL DOGS are not in the list. Buddy you have no idea what you are talking about.
@brown what? kurtish shit u said ? No shame right? stealing other country’s dog.
July 4th, 2010 on 1:40 am
In reply to “XXXXX” No they are called English Bull Terriers Hence they come from England not America. The pit bull was originally from the uk and was known as the Stafford terrier which was used for baiting bulls which then became illegal and the breed was then band in the uk, America then continued to use the dog for fighting in the pits and the name was then changed to the American pit bull terrier, When it was first registered with the AKC.Looking it up yourselves http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pit_Bull Quite frankly I couldn’t care what dog is strongest dogs are pets not for fighting each other. If I ever see anybody using dogs for fighting I would personally throw them in the pit myself prior to breaking there legs.