Do you want a self-sufficient breed that can go beyond limits to protect you? If yes—the Dogo Argentino might be for you!
This is a muscular and popular breed that has won the hearts of dog enthusiasts around the globe. Although this breed is banned in many countries if you are fortunate enough to pet them—here is everything you need to know!
Overview
| Height | 24-27 inches |
| Weight | 85-95 lbs |
| Life span | 10-12 years |
| Exercise needs | 2 hours daily |
| Temperament | Aggressive, Loyal, Confident |
| Grooming | Low maintenance |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Origin | Argentina |
Origin of the Dogo Argentino
Dogo Argentino has a rich history that goes back to the 20th century. As their name suggests, they first originated in Argentina. The two brothers—Antonio Nores Martinez and Agustin Nores Martinez, bred this breed. One was an Argentine doctor, and the other a dog enthusiast.
There were a lot of specializations that were kept in mind while breeding this dog. Multiple breeds, like Cordoba and Bull Terriers’ fighting dogs, were bred. Other breeds that were crossed were the Great Dane, the Pyrenean Mastiff, and the Irish Wolfhound. And it is a never-ending list! The Dogo Argentino dog breed also has a lot of similarities in structure with the boxer breed.
There was a lot of mixing and matching the traits to get the final result of—the Dogo Argentino. The primary purpose of breeding this new breed was for them to do big hunting games like hunting wild boar. All the qualities of different dogs made them fierce and courageous. They are even banned in some countries, as they have strong prey instincts. This quality makes them a challenging breed to train and to pet.
However, if you are a dog enthusiast, we understand your craze for Dogo Argentino.
Appearance of the Dogo Argentino
If you take Dogo Argentino to a snowy place, they’ll disappear! Here’s all about their looks:
1. Striking coat
We are saying this as their coat color often camouflages them in the snow. It is a large dog breed covered in a striking white fur coat. Their short and dense white coat sets them apart from other dog breeds. The coat is soft to the touch and requires proper grooming. If you skin groom their fur, they will turn coarse and dull.
2. Facial markings
Another distinguishing feature is the black markings on their nose, eyes, or ears. These markings complement their base coat color a lot. And you wonder how they are such great posers? Well, we give the credit to their unique body structure.
3. Robust body
Dogo Argentino has a domed skull and a robust body, which adds to their persona. On the top, they have erected ears that always alert them to any threat. Lastly, these dogs are very muscular and are famous for their athletic looks.
Personality and Temperament
1. Aggressive
Dogo Argentino is one of the most aggressive breeds. They were used as hunting dogs and had a high prey drive. If you have other pets in the house, the Dogo Argentino dog breed might be unsafe for them. Their aggression can go out of control many times. This is why you should not leave them alone with children.
2. Fearless
These dog breeds fear nothing! They know they have the skills and power to win over big hunting games. If you are their owner, they will protect you from threats. They can assess the situation and go beyond their limits to safeguard you. So, if you are in a forest and fear bears, worry not! Dogo Argentino will fight them before you know it.
3. Loyal and protective
Another fantastic trait of the Dogo Argentino dog breed is their loyalty. If you make good bonds with them, they will stay loyal to you for their life. If you have a big family, they will also protect you and the house from thieves or any attacks.
4. A kid-friendly dog breed
Contrary to their general perception of people, Dogo Argentino can be good with children. Once familiar with them, the breed often takes care of the kids. You can supervise your dog and children playing together. However, leaving the Dogo Argentino dog breed alone with children for too long is not recommended. They have an aggressive temper that children cannot handle alone.
5. Mentally strong
The Dogo Argentino dog breed is also mentally strong. The years of training and prey drives are now a part of their gene code. Such hunting activities made them mentally strong to adapt to harsh conditions and fight off big animals like bears.
6. Confident and Independent
You can tell by their looks and walks that they carry a lot of confidence. They have a boastful personality that often radiates their pride in their skills. They can independently take decisions and actions. Don’t be shocked to see all the stray dogs intimidated by Dogo Argentino’s presence. Their dominance can often be a problem for dog owners. This dog breed can only be handled by someone more dominant than them.
Sometimes, Dogo Argentino can think they are the bosses. They protect you, cuddle you, and even make self-decisions. And we believe- that’s cute
Grooming Needs of the Dogo Argentino
Now that you know about their personality, let’s dive into the grooming needs of the Dogo Argentino dog breed!
1. Low-maintenance coat
The Dogo Argentino dog breed has short-length fur, so they do not need as much maintenance. But short fur can also catch fleas and ticks. These bacteria can cause harmful infections in dogs. Regularly grooming the coat is essential for the minimal maintenance of dogs.
2. Brushing the short coat
You don’t have to brush their fur coat every day. There is not much shedding or danders that you need to brush off. You can comb the coat once or twice in 3 weeks to detangle the hair clots.
3. Bathing once or twice in 2 months
Dogo Argentino dog breed does not require frequent bathing sessions. Due to light fur, there is only a little dirt collected. But if your pup looks dirty and you can see the debris buildup- you can bath them. Until then, they only need to shower once or twice a month. Also, it would help if you only use dog-friendly shampoos, soaps, or conditioners. Human products can be harsh on their skin and irritate.
4. Ear wax build up
Erect ears can also have wax and debris build up inside the ear. If you see any dirt, please clean it with a damp cloth. Excessive buildup of dirt can hamper their hearing and can cause further infections.
5. Paw-care
Those little paws need to be cleaned! Especially in Dogo Argentino, they enjoy playing in mud, open grounds, etc. Their paws and nails can collect the dirt. You must clean the paws so it does not retain excessive moisture. Also, it would be best if you trimmed their paw nails from time to time.
6. Wrinkles
Dogo Argentinos have a few wrinkles around their mouth/chin and neck. In summer, sweat can build up between their wrinkle lines. Hence, it would help if you clean their wrinkles from time to time.
Are Dogo Argentinos Hypoallergenic?
The Dogo Argentino dog breed is not hypoallergenic. It is shocking as they have a short fur coat, but unfortunately, that is not the factor. Mainly during the shedding season, Dogo Argentino can shed heavily. It is still less than other hypoallergenic breeds.
Whether or not they can cause you allergies can also be checked! You can visit a foster home and spend time with this breed. If you don’t get any allergic reactions from Dogo Argentino’s sheds, consider yourself their favorite!
You can also ensure less shed by grooming them with the right tools. They have short and soft fur coats, so do not use hardy brushes. They can tear apart their hair and cause more shed. Instead, you should use a soft bristle brush to keep the fur coat healthy.
Exercise and Training Needs
1. Basic obedience training
You must teach your dog positive reinforcement. This will reduce their destructive behaviors. For this training, they must also know how to obey commands. You can use basic commands like- “sit,” “stop,” “run,” etc. You can use their name next to the command so they recognize it better.
2. Leash training
It would help to carry a leash or two for aggressive and muscular dogs. Ensure they have a leash when you take them out for dog walks or training. Due to their high prey drive, these dogs can run after every other street animal. So, if you don’t want them to get harmed or harm others, please put on a leash.
3. Agility training
Dogo Argentino dog breeds require 2 hours of training every day. You can divide training sessions throughout the day. These sessions include dog walking, puzzles, scenting games, or agility training. Agility training will help to keep your dog physically and mentally stimulated.
Things to Keep in Mind Before Adopting Them
Finally, here are some things you MUST remember before adopting The Dogo Argentino dog breed. There is a lifestyle that every dog demands, so here are some essentials for this dog breed. Let’s look into it!
1. Early socialization
Dogo Argentino is not naturally a social breed. They are often aggressive and do not trust strangers easily. This is why it is essential to train them for socialization. You can take them to socialization classes or a neighbor’s party. This way, they will be familiar with new faces and not show destructive behaviors.
2. A fenced yard
When you take them for training, please ensure they are not roaming the streets alone. As independent thinkers, they believe they can live on their terms and will not be lost in a new town. But that is not the case with dogs! Hence, you should train them in a large fenced area. This will give them an open ground while the fences guard them.
3. Consistency and patience
If you are considering adopting the Dogo Argentino dog breed, you must have a way with dogs! These muscular lads can act dominant and behave like they own the house. The owner must keep patience and be more dominant in training them. Please do not beat or punish these dogs; they can develop more destructive behaviors. You should be consistent with their routine and keep patience at its peak while training these stubborn buddies.
4. It is not for newbies
If you are a new dog owner looking for a suitable breed- Dogo Argentino might not be for you! For newbies, we recommend dogs with calmer temperament who do not demand professional training. If your heart is still stuck to Dogo Argentino, you must get professional services for training them. With positive reinforcement, these dogs can be less challenging to pet.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Dogo Argentino dog breed is not everyone’s cup of tea! If you are an experienced dog owner, you can adopt this dog. They require rigorous training that can be challenging for a new dog owner. But hey! If your personality matches with theirs, then definitely go right ahead!
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, No. Dogo Argentinois not a hypoallergenic breed. Even though they have short and dense fur, they can shed during the shedding season. No dog breed is 100% hypoallergenic. If you or anyone in your family has allergies, you should avoid keeping Dogo Argentino. However, they shed a lot less than other hypoallergenic breeds. If you still want to keep them, you can spend time with the breed before adopting them.
The reason why Dogo Argentino is banned in so many countries, like Norway, the UK, Australia, etc., is because of their hunting instincts. These dogs are on the list of most aggressive dogs. They have strong prey instincts that can harm other dogs and people. Also, a lot of people illegally fought.
Dogo Argentinos are good family dogs if appropriately handled. These dogs can be dominant, so they might only fit in well if they find a dominating owner. Dogo Argentino dog breed is highly protective of their family members. Once they fit in, they love spending time with children and will guard the family.
Dogo Argentino is one of the most aggressive breeds. They have high prey instincts, which are dangerous for other pets. This dog breed is even banned from certain countries. They can go out of control because of their aggressive nature and hunting instincts. You must provide them with professional behavioral training to reduce their anger issues.
We do not recommend you adopt Dogo Argentino as an inexperienced dog owner. This breed needs to be handled professionally. They are aggressive and have strong prey drives. Due to their rich history of hunting, they can be very dominating and may not listen to new dog owners. As a newbie, you should seek other breeds of a calmer temperament.
