13 Dogs that Hunt, Fight and Kill Lions

Have you ever wondered, what dogs can kill a lion? Dogs have been known to kill lions for centuries. Some breeds, like the Cane Corso and the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, are specifically bred for this purpose. “Lion Killer Dogs”. These dogs are known for their strength, courage, and tenacity – as well as their gentle temperament with humans. Scroll through our list of dogs that can kill lions. The members of our list are all dogs that fight and kill lions.

Rottweiler

We start our countdown with the most well-known dog on our list. The Rottweiler. This large and powerful dog is bred for guarding and herding livestock, so it’s definitely not one you want to mess with. Rottweilers are so well known for their ability to stand up to even the largest, most ferocious opponents that they are often used in police and military roles.

They have also been known to fight lions.

Can a Rottweiler kill a lion? Well, a story out of Kruger National Park goes that a woman was attacked by some juvenile lions and her Rottweiler came to her rescue and was able to kill one of the lions and scare the rest off, saving her life.

However, truth be told, a Rottweiler would have a hard time against a male African lion nearly 4 times his weight but never doubt the underdog.

Dogo Argentino

Dogo Argentinos are known for their loyalty and bravery, often being compared to a smaller Bullmastiff. These dogs were bred in Argentina in the late 1800s as hunting dogs, originally created by crossing local Mastiffs with Irish Wolfhounds and English Bulldogs.

These dogs are known for their very muscular build and strong jaws that can clamp down with up to 661 psi of force – enough to pierce the shells of sea turtles! Just recently, a Dogo Argentino was used to stop an armed robbery when he held two of the criminals until police arrived.

In 1987, a white-haired Dogo Argentino by the name of Mistiko entered an arena armed with nothing but his teeth and defeated a male African lion more than twice his size in just 30 seconds. A Dogo Argentino named Calero also successfully hunted and killed a South African poacher’s lion in the 1990s.

Known for their tenacity, two Dogo Argentinos also managed to kill a South American spectacled bear in 1981. They are not a dog you want to mess with.

Fila Brasileiro

The Fila Brasileiro is one of the most ancient mastiff breeds and has been used for hunting and guarding since the 14th century! One of the few dogs on the list not known for their tenacity, but rather for their intelligence and strong sense of smell, Fila Brazilieros are expectedly good trackers. These large dogs were bred to hunt jaguars or any other large game that would come into their territory; however, they are extremely hard to control and should not be kept by inexperienced owners. While they don’t typically spend much time fighting with lions, many Fila Brazilieros have successfully killed them when hunting.

They can weigh up to 200 lbs and need a lot of space to roam around in order to stay happy! The breed gained some popularity after being featured on the popular television show Planet Earth.

If you want one as a pet, I would suggest sending him to a professional trainer. Their lifetime record includes 22 kills on wild animals, including boars and jaguars.

Dogue de Bordeaux

The Dogue de Bordeaux is one of the oldest breeds in its family and there has been a version of this dog in France since ancient Roman times! These dogs were originally bred for hunting and guarding, but nowadays they’re often used as police dogs due to their bravery and endurance in harsh conditions.

They can weigh up to 200 lbs and shouldn’t be kept in apartments or homes with small yards because these dogs need space to roam around freely! Most importantly, owners should always let them know who’s boss so that they don’t become too dominant over other members of the family.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog

Anatolian Shepherds weigh up to 150 lbs and, as the name suggests, were originally bred for protecting herds of sheep. They can be very aggressive around other dogs and strangers.

Anatolian Shepherd Dogs are flock guardians originating from Turkey who have been active for over 7000 years! They are often mistaken as Kangal Dogs, but the two breeds are completely different. The Anatolian Shepherd is taller and has a straighter back than the Kangal. They are bred to be independent thinkers and can take down predators like wolves, coyotes, jackals, and even bears!

American Bulldog

The American Bulldog was originally bred for bull-baiting – a blood sport where dogs would attack bulls chained to a post. This breed is known for its tenacity and ferociousness. Their bite is strong and they can hold on even when bulls try to get away. The breed has been used for other kinds of hunting as well, including bears and cougars.

They have been known to take down lions when given the chance. One dog named “Tyson” killed 2 lions in captivity!

American Bulldogs can weigh up to 200 lbs and can be very hard to control due to their drive and determination. These dogs were bred for fighting and hunting, so they may not be the best choice for a family pet.

Boerboel

The Boerboel is somewhat of an outdated breed, but some still use them for hunting. Most of the time, however, they are used to protect farms from lions and other predators that get too close for comfort. They were bred to fight lions and can get quite aggressive around them even when there is no threat present. When one such dog had to deal with two pet lions kept by a family friend, it led to injuries for both sides involved due to its failure to recognize the difference between play and attack mode.

A lot of effort has gone into perfecting these dogs with a large head, powerful jaws, and the ability to take down big prey like lions.

As long as he has someone who knows how to handle him, Boerboels are great family dogs! They need early socialization or they can become aggressive toward strangers and other dogs. Also, make sure you do your research on the breed before buying one (or two) so you know what you’re getting into!

Kangal

The Kangal is a large, Mastiff-type dog that was bred to hunt and protect livestock, including sheep and goats, from predators like wolves and bears. They are known for their courage, strength, and tenacity, as well as their gentle temperament with humans.

Kangals are also used to hunt lions. In fact, they are considered one of the best breeds for this purpose. Their size, strength, and courage make them a formidable opponent for any lion. They are also very protective of their owners and will not hesitate to attack if they feel threatened.

Terrifying tale: A Gull Dong named “Baboo” has been said to have killed 8 people in its 21 years of life – 6 of which were children who reportedly teased him.

Presa Canario

The Presa Canario is also known as the Canary Dog and is a Mastiff breed from the Canary Islands. They were used to hunt down and kill feral pigs on the island. They are very strong dogs with a lot of muscle, and can weigh up to 150 pounds!

Presa Canario is used as guard dogs and attack dogs to this day. They can be very aggressive towards other animals and humans, especially if they’re threatened or feel like their owners are in danger! This breed is currently banned as a pet in many countries because of its strong temperament.

One Presa Canario named “Hercules” was said to have killed a lion in 2001.

Bull Terrier

The Bull Terrier was originally bred for bull baiting, a cruel sport where dogs were forced to attack bulls chained up to posts. This sport was banned in England by the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835, and so this breed became more popular as family pets due to its friendly personality.

Bull Terriers are similar to the American Bulldog when it comes to their agility and determination. They are very protective of their owners, which is why they have been known to be violent towards other dogs or strangers that pose a threat.

Cane Corso

The Cane Corso is an Italian Mastiff that was bred to hunt down lions and other big prey. They are a large breed of dog, typically weighing in at 100-130 pounds. They are very muscular with a short coat and are known for their courage and strength.

This breed is not recommended for first-time dog owners due to their high energy levels and dominant personalities. They need plenty of exercise and can be quite destructive if they’re not given enough. The Cane Corso is an excellent choice for experienced dog owners who are looking for a loyal and fearless protector!

Caucasian Shepherd Dog

This breed comes from Russia and is also known as the Russian Cane Corso and the Caucasian Ovtcharka. They are very territorial and aggressive, which means that they can be great guard dogs to protect your home from intruders. If you ever get the chance to meet one of these dogs, make sure not to make direct eye contact! To them, this is a sign of aggression.

This breed stands at an average height of 27 inches and can weigh up to 150 lbs! They are very muscular and agile which makes them great for chasing down prey or predators that pose a threat to their owner – and possess the power and agility to do so.

Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff is an English Mastiff breed that was bred for hunting large game like wild boar and deer. One of their most notable characteristic traits is their temperament towards strangers – they are known for being very gentle with humans but fiercely defensive when it comes to protecting their owners or property. These dogs have been said to have killed lions in India back in the 1920s.

Their jaws lock on tight so escape isn’t possible…even if the animal did get out of its grip, the prey would be left with a series of puncture wounds and scratches from their claws and bites.

Bonus:

The Catahoula Leopard Dog

Originally bred to hunt wild boar, deer, and even bears! They are very protective dogs that can sense danger before it occurs. In fact, they were known to have been great revolutionaries in Haiti back when Napoleon Bonaparte was ruling them. If you ever get the chance to meet one of these dogs in person…make sure not to make direct eye contact!

Gull Dong

The Gull Dong is also known as the Indian Bull Terrier and the Madras Bull Terrier. This breed originates from India and was originally used for controlling cattle by grabbing onto their noses with their strong jaws. Similar to the American Bulldog. The Gull Dong stands at a tall height of 26 inches and weighs up to 150 lbs. They are known for their strength, power, and agility when it comes to taking down lions or any other prey.

This breed is not recommended for families with small children as they can be quite aggressive and protective of their territory. They need a lot of exercise and can become destructive if they’re not given enough. The Gull Dong is a great breed for experienced dog owners who are looking for a loyal and fearless protector!

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Sometimes known as the African Lion Hound, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is an African breed of dog that was bred for hunting lions. They are very strong and athletic, so they can keep up with their prey without tiring.

They were bred for their intelligence, strength, and agility, as well as their ability to work independently. They are not the best choice for first-time dog owners, but they make excellent pets for those who are experienced in training and handling dogs.

Cocker Spaniel

While a cocker spaniel might seem like an unlikely threat to anyone, at 20 pounds and highly energetic, this breed should not be taken lightly around other animals. One cocker spaniel named Ginger actually managed to kill a 400-pound tiger at the San Francisco zoo in 1959. The exact details of how she did it are unknown, but her owner stated that the tiger only lasted about five minutes against his dog.

While there are a few other breeds of dogs that could potentially kill a lion, the 13 mentioned above are some of the most well-known and feared by these big cats. Lions are known as the king of the jungle but sometimes they run into a dog that tries to unseat them.

Thank you for reading our list of which dogs can kill lions.