Dogo Argentino Breed description: Character & Co

About

A snow-white Dogo Argentino puppy will make the heads of many lovers of the breed turn with its charm. But socialising and training them are a challenge due to their distinct character. Here you can find out more about why this is the case and what you still need to know about the Argentine Dogo.

Origin of the Dogo Argentino

Antonio Nores Martinez began breeding the Dogo Argentino in 1928, when the Argentine physician wanted to create a fearless, muscular big game hunter. Hunting targets of the new breed were supposed to be panthers and pumas. For this purpose, first the genes of Bull Terrier, Mastiff and Bulldog were added to the gene pool of the dog breed. But the relentless hunter proved to be far from being suitable for families. Therefore, his first breeder crossed other dog breeds with the desired traits. In German Dogo Argentino means "Argentine Mastiff".

The Dogo Argentino and its breed characteristics

FCI Standard: Dogo Argentino (292); Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoids - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs; Section 2 Molossoids; 2.1 Great Dane dogs
Appearance: Tall with a broad chest and strong build
Breeding forms: uni-coloured white, occasionally with a dark spot on the head; under the very short coat dark, patchy skin pigmentation
Other body characteristics: athletic build with a strong back, muscular legs and overall medium proportions; long, thin tail, which hangs down naturally
Large head in good proportion to the muscular body

Use of the Dogo Argentino as a list dog

The responsible handling of an Argentine Mastiff was unfortunately not always a given in the last decades. Because of incidents in the past, there are now different regulations for the dog breed:

Keeping, breeding and importation prohibited: Denmark, partly Switzerland (Valais, Geneva)
Import prohibited: Australia, Portugal, New Zealand, Romania, Denmark, Singapore, Iceland, Ukraine
On the breed list with conditions: Switzerland (ten out of 13 cantons) - in eight cantons only with keeping permission -; Austria (federal states Vienna - with dog leading license -, Lower Austria - with certificate of competence -, Vorarlberg - with special permission of the mayor -)
Breed list category 2: Germany (Baden-Württemberg, Berlin, Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hessen, Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia)

Use of the Dogo Argentino

From the beginning the Dogo Argentino was bred as a hunting dog. More recently, its fearlessness and independent way of taking action has also proven to be an advantage when used as a guard dog. You can also buy a Dogo Argentino as a demanding family dog. In places it is considered a list dog, you can prove its non-hazardousness by providing a character test. Otherwise, the keeping of this strong-willed dog is subject to conditions. A well-behaved Argentine Mastiff is certainly still used as a blood hound or tracking dog. The training for this should be carried out consistently by professional animal trainers from puppy age on.

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Alternate Name	Argentine Dogo, Argentine Mastiff
Origin	Argentina
Life expectancy	10 - 12 years
Care requirements	low-maintenance

Activity level	average
FCI group	Molossian type
AKC group	working group
KC group	not recognised

Characteristics

Character of the Dogo Argentino

The character of the Dogo is formed at an early age, largely through the example of the parent animals. From them, the Dogo Argentino puppy learns the close relationship to "its humans". It will guard them adamantly from potential danger. But the list dog also likes to cuddle within its familiar surroundings and is extremely eager to move. It is rather indifferent towards strangers. However, you must consistently train them to develop a calm social behaviour towards other dogs from puppy age onwards. You can hold back its originally bred hunting instinct with equally consistent training, but you cannot suppress it due to breeding characteristics.

Attitude and characteristics of the Dogo Argentino

Despite further development in breeding, the keeping of a Dogo Argentino still comes with a great challenge regarding your self-confidence and consistency as an owner. First of all, your Dogo Argentino puppy should not have to wait around to be stimulated in a city apartment. A living area with a lot of outside running opportunity in the countryside or at least outside the city gates is a better environment for them. Their training must start early and should not be inconsistent even in adulthood. Therefore the Argentine Mastiff is only suitable for being kept by explicitly dog-experienced people. On the other hand however, their physical care is simple. Regular brushing of the very short hair is good for the skin and strengthens your bond to your four-legged friend.

Character

affectionate
protective
friendly
fearless
loyal
cheerful
tolerant

Usage

Hunting Dog

Argentinian Mastiff with cropped prick ears

Dogo Argentino with cropped ears in the forest

Breeding

Typical diseases of the Dogo Argentino breed

A common congenital disease of the Great Dane is deafness. A responsible breeder will show you if this is present before you want to buy a Dogo Argentino. If you are not sure, it is best to take your puppy to the vet for a thorough check up. At the same time, your puppy will be examined for hip joint dysplasia. However, in this active breed, HD is often not apparent until adulthood.

Dogo Argentino breeding or rescuing a Dogo Argentino?

Dogo Argentino breeding is prohibited in many countries. Unfortunately, due to great demand in the areas of hunting, dog competitions and protection dogs, many Argentine Mastiffs end up on dubious markets or in the worst case in animal shelters. The proud and beautiful appearance of the white Molossoids plays a sad role in this development. If you have the necessary dog experience, it is better to go to rescue stations and animal shelters instead of breeding your own dog. Many of the animals given away there are well socialised with other dogs and therefore in the future, with necessary training, as loyal and cuddly as a Dogo from the breeder.

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Look and coat of the Dogo Argentino

The appearance of the Dogo Argentino is well-proportioned and self-confident. The white coat over the dark pigmented skin is smooth, soft and at most two centimetres long. In summer, it often becomes so thin that pigment spots shine through. For a long time, the ears of the Dogo Argentino used to be docked. In Germany and some other EU countries this is now forbidden. Unfortunately, there are still lovers of the breed, who simply buy a docked Dogo Argentino in countries where this is not prohibited.

Height, weight and life expectancy of the Dogo Argentino

Size: 60 to 68 centimetres (bitches with a maximum of 65 centimetres are slightly smaller)
Weight: 36 to 45 kilograms
Average age: Ten to 12 years

Fur length	short
Fur	flat coated
Ear shape	Floppy Ear
Tail	lang
Anatomy	muscular, massive

Size ♀	60 - 65 cm
Weight ♀	40 - 45 kg
Size ♂	60 - 68 cm
Weight ♂	35 - 40 kg
Suitable For	-

Colors

We have 5 more pictures of Dogo Argentino

Known Diseases

Hip dysplasia (HD)

The hip dysplasia or hip joint dysplasia of the dog (HD) is a maldevelopment of the hip joint.
Numbness

Often occurs in old age.

FAQ

The Dogo Argentino is considered a dangerous dog breed and is popularly called "fighting dog". He is on some lists in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Its bite force is 600 PSI, making it one of the strongest dog breeds in the world. This is half the bite force of a hippo and about 3 times that of a pit bull terrier. Next to Kangal and Doberman, the bite force is among the top 3.