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Dogo Argentino

loyal / courageous / athletic

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

24-26.5 inches (male)

24-25.5 inches (female)

Weight

80-100 pounds

Life Expectancy

9-15 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family
  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    80% 80%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    20% 20%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    60% 60%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    80% 80%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    100% 100%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    100% 100%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    60% 60%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    80% 80%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    80% 80%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    20% 20%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    60% 60%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    80% 80%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    100% 100%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    100% 100%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    60% 60%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    80% 80%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

The Dogo Argentino is a pack-hunting dog designed to go after a large game like wild boar and pumas. It has all the power, brains, and quick reflexes of a dedicated athlete. His short, smooth coat is white, although a small, dark patch that does not cover more than 10% of the head is allowed near the eye. A study in harmony, the Dogo Argentino is ideal. He’s big, strong, and athletic. His balanced frame is supported by straight, substantial forelegs and muscular, medium-angulated hindquarters. His powerful head is held up by a robust, yet graceful neck that joins to a balanced body. The Dogo appears to possess explosive force and vigor.  Dogo must have a good nose, considerable lung capacity, and a powerful, yet agile, muscular frame in order to detect, pursue, and catch risky games. He has a sharp, intellectual, and noticeably hard expression. The Dogo is easily recognized by his short, all-white coat.

What To Expect When Caring For a Dogo Argentino

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

In general, the Dogo Argentino is a healthy dog with few genetic problems. Working with a responsible breeder, prospective owners can gain the education they need to learn about specific health concerns within the breed.

Grooming

In addition to weekly grooming, giving your dog a wash every now and then will keep them clean and looking their best. For you and your pet, grooming can be a great way to strengthen your relationship. Regular trimming with a nail clipper or grinder is advised to prevent overgrowth, splitting, and cracking of their robust, quickly developing nails. To prevent a buildup of wax and debris that could cause an infection, examine their ears frequently. You should brush your teeth frequently.

Exercise

Playtime in the backyard, preferably gated, and daily walks are two options for getting fitness. Indoor games like hide-and-seek, chasing a ball tossed across the floor, or teaching them new tricks can also be a form of exercise. A smart way to burn off energy is to engage in outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, retrieving balls, or flying discs. Dog sports training, such as agility, obedience, and rally, can also be a terrific method to exercise your dog.

Training

Nutrition

You should give your dog a formula that will meet their specific digestive needs throughout each stage of their lives, depending on how big they will be as adults. Numerous dog food manufacturers have developed breed-specific recipes for tiny, medium, significant, and giant breeds. A massive breed, Dogo Argentinos are. Choosing what to feed your dog is a personal decision, but the best method to choose how frequently to feed him as a puppy and the best adult diet to lengthen his life is to consult your vet and/or breeder. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.

History

This breed first appeared in the Republic of Argentina’s central (Mediterranean) province of Cordoba. It was developed by Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez, a famous physician, and descendant of an established family. He established the foundation and a standard for a new dog breed that he named Dogo Argentino in 1928 due to his passion for dogs, which may have come from family heritage. His research was focused on the careful mating of various purebred dogs with the powerful and ferocious old fighting dog from Cordoba. Dr. Nores Martinez achieved his goal of acquiring the first family after conducting a minute character research and selection process across several generations. It was initially thought of as a fighting breed. Still, Dr. Nores Martinez, who enjoyed hunting, took the dog on one of his regular hunting excursions where the new breed showed off its abilities and went on to play an important role in all of his outings. So, it swiftly developed into a great big-game hunting dog.

With time, this dog’s ability to adapt has made it very functionally adaptable; it has proven to be a noble friend as well as a devoted and impregnable protector of the people it loves. It is the best dog among those employed to hunt wild boars, peccaries, pumas, and other country predators that can be found in the wide and diverse sections of Argentinean land due to its strength, perseverance, keen sense of smell, and fearlessness. Its harmony, balance, and excellent athletic muscles make it the ideal creature for making long journeys in all weather, then engaging the chased prey in intense combat. Thanks to the dedication, hard work, and perseverance of Dr. Augustin Nores Martinez, the breed’s creator’s brother, and successor, the species was recognized by the FCI as the first and only Argentinean breed in 1973.