All Photos Provided By: Joshua Faulkner
There’s a large fascination across the world when it comes to the “Bully” type breeds, and among the most striking is none other than the Dogo Argentino. Known for its impressive appearance, crystal white coat, blocky head, and lean, powerful muscle, it should come as no surprise that this is a breed that would interest those who are looking to add a big dog to the family.
You don’t have to read too far into the history of the Dogo Argentino to become intrigued with these beautiful beasts.
The Dogo Argentino was originally developed in the 1920s by two young Argentine brothers with a bold vision. According to Joshua Faulkner, President of the Dogo Argentino Club of America, their goal was to preserve the courage and pain tolerance of the old Cordoba fighting dog in a breed that could also protect family and farm from nuisance and predatory animals. It’s safe to say they succeeded—today, the Dogo is a loyal, versatile dog that is enjoyed by many.
But with all of the historical information comes many other things to consider before deciding the Dogo Argentino is the right fit for you and your family. If this breed is on your potential pet partner list, here’s a look into a few things you should know before making a final decision.
As much as you may like the idea of having a dog like the Dogo Argentino to impress passersby, this is probably not the breed to go with for a first-time dog owner.
“The owner needs to have successfully owned a dog before, extra points if the previous dog experience includes other large dominant breeds,” Joshua explains. “But success needs to be defined as knowing what a dog needs to thrive in any environment. Ultimately, this large, dominant breed experience has to start somewhere.”
That doesn’t mean the Dogo is a complete non-option if a new dog owner really has their heart set on the breed. “If you are lacking in this experience, it is extremely important to find an experienced breeder who can choose the right puppy for your family. This can be accomplished by joining the parent club,” he continues. When an owner can demonstrate consistency and calmness, with preparation for the entire family to live in a pack leadership role, they can have a great experience with the breed.
Regardless of experience, Joshua says what is more important than anything else is for the owner to be fully honest with themselves and their personal limitations before taking on a Dogo.
Specifically, consider these questions, suggested by the parent club’s President: “Are you prepared to do the work so that the dog feels safe in your leadership capabilities? Are you prepared to fulfill the needs of the dog? Are you only interested in the appearance of the breed? Is there another breed that suits your family situation better?”
The Dogo, originally bred to hunt wild boar, pumas, and other big game, should be treated with care and needs a great deal of stimulation after historically having had such a massive job to do. This takes work on the owner’s end, but, when handled in the right manner, owning a Dogo can be incredibly fulfilling for both parties. The breed is fierce when it needs to be, and is a gentle giant when called upon equally.
“The dual nature of the breed is what makes it unique among hunting dogs,” Joshua notes. “It can display immense power and aggression when faced with a dangerous adversary, and in a turn of the page becomes your children’s pillow while lounging in the house. A fulfilled Dogo will fulfill you.”
Keeping a consistent schedule that prioritizes routine with a Dogo is one of the key elements of successfully owning a member of the breed. Exercise such as daily walking, free running (in a fenced and safe environment) and finding some activities that can cater to the breed’s naturally high prey drive will help to keep your Dogo from becoming destructive, an issue that can arise when a dog does not get the level of stimulation it needs.
If “big” is on your list of wants for your next dog, the Dogo Argentino certainly checks the box. Of course, decisions should be made on factors far beyond that of size when considering any type of dog, Dogo or otherwise.
The Dogo ranges between 88 and 100 pounds when kept in proper athletic condition, with females typically measuring in between 24 and 25-1/2 inches tall. Adult males usually range between 24 and 26-1/2 inches tall.
The life expectancy of the breed can be relatively short or pleasantly long, ranging between nine and 15 years.
Despite the fact the Dogo Argentino is known for its dominance and high drive, this not a breed that is particularly difficult to train when in the right hands. With their strongly intelligent nature, Dogos can be taught to handle quite a bit. One of the biggest keys to effectively training this breed is to put the dog’s prey drive to work in the right manner.
“It can be focused on a reward system such as playing ball or even treat training,” Joshua explains. “Using rewards properly can result in a Dogo that will perform tasks as simple as a sit-stay, to highly complicated service animal tasks.”
Improper training methods—or handlers who simply aren’t cut out for it—can lead to a bad outcome for both Dogo and owner. “It should be noted that ill-prepared handlers may find the Dogo’s dominance and prey drive to be overwhelming,” according to Joshua. “These issues tend to be the reason for many adolescent and young adult males to be surrendered. If an honest conversation is had between the potential owner and the breeder, this can be avoided by placing the puppy who displays the appropriate levels of these behaviors to the home that matches the dog’s needs.”
While all dogs require regular maintenance grooming like ear cleaning and nail trimming, the Dogo Argentino is definitely on the lighter side for those who aren’t wanting to get out a pin brush or clippers on a regular basis. In fact, that white coat doesn’t even require regular bathing unless it gets very heavily soiled, and even then, Dogo experts suggest that a good hosing does the job well. It should also be noted that this is a breed that sheds heavily, especially in summer, but weekly brushing can help with that.
