Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
The Dogo Argentino is a large dog known for its white coat and muscular appearance. This breed was bred for the pursuit of big animals, such as puma and wild boar, and possesses the above-average strength and quick response of a serious athlete.
It was first bred in 1928 from the Cordoba Dog (today extinct breed of fight dog) along with a variety of other breeds, including the Great Dane.
About the Dogo Argentino
The ideal Dogo Argentino is large, powerful, and highly athletic (some would say fit). This breed is known for its strong head, elegant neck, and balanced body. Overall, this breed gives the impression of enormous power and energy.
Since they were bred to hunt, they have a great nose and agile and muscular build. They are easy to recognize thanks to their body size and short and white coat.
Quick Facts
Real name: Argentine Dogo
Other names: Dogo
Origin: Argentina
Weight: 88-100 pounds (male), 88-95 pounds (female)
Height: 24-26.5 inches (male), 24-25.5 inches (female)
Lifespan: 9-15 years
Litter Size: 8-10 puppies
Color: White
Coat: Short
Dogo Argentino History
In 1928, Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez, a young Argentine physician, decided to develop a new dog breed. He crossed a local bred, known as Cordoba Dog, with various breeds, including Bull Terriers, Bulldogs, and Mastiffs.
This mix he named simply the Dogo Argentino. He used a specific methodology to develop this breed because he knew exactly what type of dog he wants. His breed showed remarkable talent for hunting big game, including pumas and wild boars, as well as strong guarding instincts.
The Federacion Cinologica Argentina recognized the breed in 1964, and by the FCI in July 1973. Today, this breed is still used as a guardian dog, a hunting dog, a working dog, and a true family companion.
Thanks to Dr. Augustin Nores Martinez’s effort, its creator’s brother, and successor, the breed was officially accepter by FCI in 1973 as the first and only Argentinian breed.
Dogo Argentino Physical Appearance
Dogo Argentinos are at first large dogs, and as such they aren’t fit for first time dog owners. This breed is a far better choice for experienced dog owners.
To have such a big dog, one needs to know how to properly train them and walk them on a leash without fear of them running away or pulling the leash forward. This is also a very heavy breed, having between 80 and 100 pounds.
Dogo Argentinos usually have large and broadheads that make them resemble the famous Pit bulls.
The ideal Dogo Argentino is a balanced dog in size. He is large, powerful, and highly athletic. Skull is solid and convex, while the cheeks and masseter muscles are large, well defined, and covered with tight skin. Males tend to be slightly larger than females.
Females also have more feminine looks. The neck’s skin is thin and soft, while the back is strong, with well-defined muscles. The hair on the tail is short. Legs are vertical and straight.
Elbows are places naturally against the chest wall, while the forelegs are straight with strong bone and muscle. Hindquarters are broad with very muscular thighs and short rear pasterns.
Dogo Argentino Personality
Dogo Argentinos are extremely loyal dogs with a strong tendency to be highly territorial, which makes them great at guarding, as well as great watchdogs. They are great defenders of their family members, homes, and even children.
Still, children should be educated on how to behave around dogs and never disturb them when eating or drinking water.
In fact, it’s the best (and the safest option) to teach your children not to approach a dog when she is near the bowl or kennel – this way, their safety is guaranteed.
Dogo Argentinos have a strong prey drive that makes them poor companions for other animals like smaller dogs or cats. If possible, this should be the only pet in your household.
Don’t forget that this breed was bred to take down wild boars, which are wild and big animals. This loyal breed is entirely independent and – again, they need an experienced dog owner to handle their training needs, especially when it comes to early socialization.
It’s known that this white dog is no open to strangers and other dogs. They are strong-willed and need plenty of exercises and mental stimulation.
The Dogo Argentino needs a big space, and if you live in an apartment, a backyard should be imperative. Small apartments aren’t ideal for this breed. It is best to begin their training early as puppies.
Dogo Argentino Training
Training your Dogo Argentino starts as soon as you bring your dog home. If you are adopting an adult or senior Dogo Argentino, the change is that the dog will know how to behave, and you will just have to monitor him closely for some period.
If you are bringing a puppy home, you should know that early socialization is everything. Always do your research first and know what to teach your dog first.
As soon as you are done with puppy vaccination, make sure that you expose your dog to new places, people, and scents. This way, your Dogo won’t be afraid of the unknown.
Plus, properly socializing your dog means that your dog can politely get along with strangers and other animals.
Teach your Dogo Argentino house rules and basic commands first, then move to more complex tricks.
Use treats to enhance the positive reinforcement training; just don’t overdo it. It can be easy to give a large dog breed more treats than needed.
Obesity in pets is a rising problem in the states, so make sure that your dog remains fit. Always follow the treats guidelines or think about making homemade treats for dogs.
Provide enough toys, outdoor time, and learn how to keep your Dogo Argentino entertained indoors during the bad weather.
Dogo Argentino Exercise
Even large dog breeds need proper exercise and outdoor time. They may not be able to walk or run for hours, but they still love to enjoy the fresh air.
The Dogo Argentino should be taken for walks several times a day, and more frequently if he is still a puppy. Exercise can also come in the form of indoor activities or teaching new tricks.
This breed will be happy to go swimming, chasing flying discs, or retrieving balls. The typical adult Dogo Argentino needs about 90 minutes of exercise per day.
Dogo Argentino Grooming
Just like any other dog breed, weekly grooming is mandatory.
Make sure that you have the right grooming tools on hand. Sometimes you might test different brushed to see what fits your Dogo Argentino the best.
Brushing is also a great way to connect with your dog since they are communicating through body language. This is also important with puppies because once they learn to be handled, they won’t have any problems visiting the groomer or veterinarian.
Trim nails regularly, check ears and eyes weekly, and don’t forget to check the dog’s teeth.
Any veterinarian will tell you that a dog’s teeth are a mirror of his health, so provide food that promotes teeth health.
An occasional bath is fine because dogs don’t need frequent bathing as humans do.
Dogo Argentino Health
In general, the Dogo Argentino is a healthy dog breed. Like any other dog, specific problems may repeatedly appear if the dog isn’t treated right.
Plus, genetics always plays a huge role, which is why you should always work with local shelters or responsible breeders.
These are the only option where you will know just how healthy the dog is. As soon as you get the dog, take him to your veterinarian for a full check-up.
Recommended Health Test from the National Breed Club:
- BAER Testing
- Hip Evaluation
- Cardiac Exam
Make sure that your Dogo Argentino is well fed. Provide proper nutrition, safe surroundings, and regular training next to exercise, and you will see your Dogo thrive.
Depending on the age and the size of your dog, you will feed him accordingly to support their digestive needs. You should never feed a puppy with senior dog food; this way, he won’t get the nutrition he needs.
What you feed your dog with is an individual choice, but make sure that you talk with your veterinarian about the best options and guidelines.
The Bottom Line
The Dogo Argentino is a powerful dog of kind of feline grace. Many owners describe this breed as energetic but sensitive. This impressive dog is calm as long as he is trained well, which is why they match the best with experienced dog owners.
One is for sure – Dogos love to be petted. They crave physical contact and therefore adore grooming and brushing sessions. They are strong-willed and independent and will respect a confident, consistent owner and demonstrate love and support.
If you want a mastiff-type dog with a short white coat, which is large and thrives on vigorous exercise, then the Dogo Argentino might be for you.
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