Mary Allen
The Dogo Argentino is an exotic breed from South America that was originally used to hunt wild boar and big cats. In Argentina, the breed is now an all-around utility dog with the status of the German shepherd dog in Germany. Here in the profile, you will learn everything about the history, the character, and the attitude of the Dogo Argentino.
History of the Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino has been kept as a working dog in Argentina for many decades. Originally he comes from the province of Corduba in central Argentina, where he was bred primarily as a fighting dog. Up until the beginning of the 20th century, breeders placed great value on courage, strength, and a low threshold. Above all, however, they made sure that the dogs did not show any aggression towards people. The European dogs were too weak for hunting cougars and panthers in South America, so breeder Antonio Nores Martinez started breeding a new hunting dog.
He crossed selected “Cordoba fighting dogs” with bulldogs, mastiffs, and pointers. So he wanted to slowly move the breed away from the image of the attack dog and turn it into a guard and hunting helper. The dog should still be defensive, persistent, and courageous.
The white color ensured that the mastiff was easy to see when hunting and the hunter would not accidentally shoot it. In 1928, the breeder’s son of the same name established the first uniform breed standard. The Dogo was first introduced to Europe in 1968. In 1973 the breed was recognized by the FCI and classified in FCI Group 2, Section 2 “Molossoids”. To this day, however, the Dogo Argentino is very rare in Germany.
Essence and Character
The Dogo Argentino is a fundamentally open and friendly dog that is very devoted and loyal to its people. He protects his family without becoming aggressive and is extremely fond of children. However, he tends to dominate same-sex dogs and is often not very compatible. The strong hunting instinct with the intention to kill stays with the Dogo for a lifetime and does not go away with good training.
The Argentine mastiff barks little and behaves smartly and silently when hunting. He is also very independent and has a strong character, which makes training a bit difficult. Submissive behavior is alien to him, he prefers to keep control of the situation himself.
Purchase of a Dogo Argentino
What do I need to pay attention to when purchasing?
The Dogo Argentino is quite undemanding and easy to care for, but he will certainly not be happy in a small apartment in a big city. As a family dog, the Dogo is only recommended for experienced dog people, as it needs good socialization and a lot of activity. In general, you should think twice before purchasing this breed, since its strong protective instinct makes it difficult to keep it in densely populated Germany.
Even when you go for a walk, you always have to expect hostility and fearful reactions from your fellow human beings. In Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Brandenburg, Hamburg, Hesse and North Rhine-Westphalia, the Dogo Argentino is even on the list of dangerous dog breeds. The keeping of the listed dog is only possible to a limited extent or not at all.
If you are confident that the Argentine Mastiff is the right breed for you, you need to find a reputable breeder. You should budget up to €1200 for a healthy, purebred puppy. Most breeders don’t give their puppies to just anyone either, since you have a lot of responsibility with a Dogo Argentino.
Due to the exclusively white fur coloration, there is a risk that the puppies will be born deaf. So you should always ask for a hearing test. If you don’t necessarily want a puppy, you can also stop by the animal shelter. Often you will also find friendly Dogos here who are in need and are looking for a new home.
Puppy Development and education
Training Dogo puppies is not as easy as with some other breeds. You have to be extremely consistent and not let your four-legged friend get away with anything, even at a young age. However, pressure and hardness are completely out of place, otherwise, the dog will react in the same way and may even become aggressive. To improve his compatibility with other dogs, you should visit a dog school.
Due to its pronounced dominance, the Dogo Argentino tends to fight for power with other dogs and people. You should also make sure that the Dogo fixates strongly on one person and only accepts this person as the pack leader. In general, the Dogo Argentino is a late breeder who only matures mentally at around three years of age. You should keep this in mind when educating him and giving him more time.