The Dogo Argentino is one of the most popular dogs in the Americas. It is a mastiff of the molossoid type. It is renowned for its large size, its white coat as well as for its powerful appearance. He's arguably one of the most amazing dogs out there.
If you are considering adopting a Dogo Argentino, whether it is a puppy or an adult, you will need to find out about the details of its upbringing and training, its characteristics and the care he will need to be happy and he althy.
In this PlanetAnimal file, we will explain everything you need to know about the Dogo Argentino and we will tell you about its character, the lifestyle that best suits it and some of the diseases that can affect it. assign.
Origin
- America
- Argentina
FCI Nomenclature
- Group II
Physical Characteristics
- Rustic
- Muscular
- Lying
Size
- Large
Height
- 55-70
Adult Weight
- 25-45
Life expectancy
- 10-12
Recommended physical activity
- Average
Character
- Balanced
- Society
- Very loyal
- Smart
- Active
- Affectionate
- Quiet
Ideal for
- House
- Walking
Recommendations
- Muzzle
- Harness
Recommended climate
- Hot
Hair type
- Short
- Smooth
- End
Origin of the Dogo Argentino
" The Dogo Argentino is the only Argentinian breed that has not died out.It was developed in the Argentine province of Cordoba in the 1920s by Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez who sought to create an exceptionally strong and resilient dog, a true fighter. At that time, dogfighting was very common in the Argentine countryside and in other parts of the world. In Córdoba, the Cordovan Fighting Dogs were used for these activities. Nores Martinez used these dogs as a sire of the Dogo Argentino, but he was looking for greater stability of character and better control of aggression."
When dog fighting began to be frowned upon by society, Nores Martinez oriented the Dogo Argentino towards hunting, especially big game. The result lived up to expectations, and the Dogo Argentino became an excellent hunter of wild boars, pumas, peccaries and foxes.
In order to obtain the standard we know today, many other breeds of dogs were crossed.Besides the Cordoba fighting dogs, the Dogo Argentino has as ancestors dogs like the Bull Terrier, the English Bulldog, the Great Dane, the Pyrenean Molosser, the Boxer, the Spanish Molosser, the Dogue de Bordeaux, the Irish Wolfhound and the Pointer. The breed was officially recognized by the Argentine Cynological Federation in 1964 and by the International Cynological Federation (FCI) in 1973.
Characteristics of the Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino is a large, athletic dog. He is imposing, robust and very muscular, but his proportions are harmonious. His head is powerful with no sharp angles, and even the stop is ill-defined. Its nose is black, its eyes are medium in size, almond-shaped, set well apart and dark or hazel in color. Its ears are high insertions, wide, flat and thick. Its body is about 10% longer than it is tall, giving it a rectangular profile. He is powerful and has a broad and deep chest, followed by a slightly tucked-in belly.Its tail is medium sized, saber-shaped, long and thick.
The Dogo Argentino's coat is short, smooth and soft to the touch, but its density varies depending on the climate. In hot climates, the coat is sparse and can show the skin. In cold climates it is thick and dense and may even have an undercoat. It must be entirely white, but a black or dark patch around the eye is permitted, provided it does not exceed 10% of the surface of the head.
Males usually reach a height at the withers of between 60 and 68 cm, while females measure between 60 and 65 cm. On the other hand, its average weight is around 40-45 kg for males and 40-43 kg for females.
Character of the Dogo Argentino
Despite its past as a fighting and hunting dog, the Dogo Argentino is another example of how education greatly contributes to giving it a character suitable for family life.The Dogo Argentino is an affectionate dog, loyal, very protective and rather tolerant towards other dogs and humans if properly socialized.
He is an intelligent and devoted dog, very sensitive, who will create a strong bond with those he considers his family. He is perfect for those with older children at home, as he enjoys playing and affectionate licking. He is very patient, good-natured and very reliable if you have had the opportunity to train him from an early age.
However, the Dogo Argentino is not a dog for everyone. His high intelligence makes him easily bored, so he needs someone with experience in dog training. He also needs a dynamic family that understands the dog's needs and is proactive in his lifestyle.
Finally, it is very important to supervise all interactions with an adopted Dogo Argentino as an adult.As with all other dogs, mistreatment and lack of socialization can be detrimental and will make her nervous, shy or reactive, depending on the case. This is a recommendation we would make with any breed, regardless of body type, but in this case it is even more important due to the physical ability and strength they possess. Likewise, even if we adopt a puppy, we must first assess whether we will be able to hold it in the event of a fight with another dog. The use of an anti-pull harness is essential in these cases.
Caring for the Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino does not need excessive care to be happy. To start, we'll talk about caring for his coat, which will require weekly brushing to remove dead hair. However, it must be taken into account that this breed that comes to us from Argentina loses a lot of hair, so it will be necessary to clean the house regularly.It should be washed every month or every month and a half, or when it is really dirty. It may be advisable to go to a dog groomer or bathe him outside.
Let's not forget that its dermis is very sensitive and it is therefore advisable not to expose it to intense sunlight and to pay attention to temperature drops. The Dogo Argentino does not tolerate cold well.
He will need 2-3 walks a day, during which we will allow him to sniff, investigate and interact with other animals. It will also be helpful to encourage moderate exercise, either through games and toys or various activities such as completing an agility circuit. The Dogo Argentino will appreciate the mental stimulation this type of activity will provide.
It is strongly recommended to provide them with a large living space, such as a house with a garden, but they can adapt perfectly to an urban lifestyle if they are provided with appropriate physical and mental activity.Indoors, the Dogo Argentino is generally a calm dog.
Training the Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino is a dog that reacts wonderfully well to positive reinforcement, but reacts very badly to punishment, physical force and, in general, to all the things that can stress him out. If mistreated, the Dogo Argentino can become destructive.
Before starting the education, it is important to remember that it is essential to establish rules that all family members must follow so that the dog does not feel disoriented. For example, if we decide not to let him get on the couch, we all have to follow the same rule. It is also good to consider some future aspects, such as its large size. If we encourage him to climb on people as a puppy, he'll probably do the same as an adult (and it won't be as fun), so consider all of these details before adopting him.
Dog education begins with the socialization process during which the dog will have to get used to the presence of a multitude of different stimuli. This is undoubtedly the cornerstone of education, as it will allow our dog to be stable, social and calm. Lack of socialization leads to fearful and reactive behaviors, even behavioral problems in dogs.
Later, we will begin to teach him certain obedience commands, an activity that the Dogo Argentino will love. As an intelligent and dedicated dog, he will feel needed and rewarded each time you practice obedience together. We recommend that you spend between 10 to 15 minutes a day teaching him new tricks.
He alth of the Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino is a breed that enjoys a good state of he alth. For this, it will be useful to visit the veterinarian every 6 months to make sure that he does not suffer from any he alth problem.We will also follow certain routines correctly such as the dog's vaccination schedule and dewormers (external and internal). These habits will help us prevent certain contagious diseases as well as the presence of parasites in dogs. Let's not forget that castration is strongly recommended. The most common diseases of the Dogo Argentino are:
- Hereditary deafness
- Hip Dysplasia
- Sunburn
In addition to all of the above, it is necessary to offer him a quality diet, as well as an appropriate hygienic routine: cleaning his teeth, his ears, emptying his anal glands and even removing his eyelashes every morning are highly recommendable habits to follow. The life expectancy of the Dogo Argentino is around 10 or 12 years.
Photos of Dogo Argentino
