The Dogo Argentino is one of the most popular dogs on the American continent. It is a bulldog-type molossoid. It stands out for its large size, white fur and its powerful appearance. It is without a doubt one of the most impressive dogs that exist.
If you are thinking of adopting a Dogo Argentino, whether it is a puppy or an adult, It is very important that you inform yourself in depth about the details of its education and training, its characteristics and the care it will need to be happy and he althy.
In this tab on our site we will explain everything you need to know about the Argentine Dogo, whether related to its character, the lifestyle that best suits it or some of the diseases that can affect it. Keep reading about the Argentine dogo and don't forget to comment to share your photos and experiences.
Origin of the Argentine Dogo
The Argentine Dogo is the only Argentine breed that has not become extinct. It was developed in the Argentine province of Córdoba during the 1920s, by Dr. Antonio Nores Martínez who was looking for an exceptionally strong and resistant dog that would be a true fighter. At that time, dog fights were very common in the Argentine countryside and in other parts of the world. In Córdoba, the so-called "Cordovan fighting dogs" were used for these activities. Nores Martínez used these dogs as a parent for the Argentine dogo, but he was looking for more stability of character and greater control of aggressiveness in him.
When dogfighting began to be frowned upon by society, Nores Martínez oriented the Argentine dogo toward hunting and big game huntingThe result achieved was as expected, and the Argentine Dogo became a hunter of wild boars, pumas, peccaries and foxes.
To achieve the standard we know today, many other dog breeds were crossed. In addition to the Cordovan fighting dogs, the Dogo Argentino has in its blood such ancestors as the Bull Terrier, the English Bulldog, the Great Dane, the Pyrenean Mastiff, the Boxer, the Spanish Mastiff, the Dogue de Bordeaux, the Irish wolfhound and pointer. The breed was officially recognized by the Argentine Cinological Federation in 1964 and by the International Cynological Federation (FCI) in 1973
Characteristics of the Argentine Dogo
The Dogo Argentino is a large athletic dog. He is imposing, robust and very muscular, but with harmonic proportions. The head is powerful without abrupt angles, and even the naso-frontal depression (stop) is poorly defined. The nose is black. The eyes are medium, almond-shaped, well separated from each other and dark or hazel. The ears are set high, wide, flat and thick. The body is 10% longer than it is tall, so it has a rectangular profile. It is powerful and has a wide and deep chest, continued with a somewhat tucked-up belly. The tail is medium set, saber-shaped, long and thick.
Dogo Argentino's coat is short, smooth and soft to the touch, but its density varies depending on the climate. In hot climates, the hair is sparse and can reveal the skin. In cold climates it is thick and dense, and may even have an undercoat. It must be solid white, but a black or dark-colored stain around it is allowed. of the eye, as long as it does not exceed 10% of the surface of the head.
The males usually reach a height at the withers of between 60 and 68 cm, while the females are between 60 and 65 centimeters. On the other hand, the average weight is around 40 - 45 kilograms in males and 40 - 43 kg in females.
Dogo Argentino Character
Despite its past as a fighting dog and hunting dog, the Argentine Dogo is one more example that the education we offer our dog will greatly contribute to establishing an appropriate character for a family life. The Dogo Argentino is an affectionate and loyal dog, certainly protective but tolerant of other dogs and people if given appropriate socialization, a topic we will discuss below.
He is an intelligent and devoted dog, very sensitive, who will create a very strong bondwith those he considers his family. He is perfect for those who have slightly older children in their home, since he greatly enjoys playing and offering affectionate kisses, something that surprises and captivates many people. He is very patient and kind, very reliable if you have had the opportunity to educate him from his puppy stage.
However, the Argentine Dogo is not a suitable dog for everyone. His great intelligence makes him get bored quite easily and therefore he needs someone experiencedin responsible animal ownership, in education and training and in correct motivation of the dog to offer him new experiences and positive activities. He, too, will need a dynamic family that understands this dog's needs and accommodates a proactive lifestyle.
Finally we will add that it is very important to supervise all the interactions that an adopted Argentine Dogo has in his adult stage. As can happen with any dog, mistreatment and lack of socialization can harm this noble breed, making it somewhat nervous, shy or reactive, depending on each case. It is a recommendation that we would make with any breed, regardless of its morphology, but in this case it is more important due to its physical capacity and strength. Likewise, even if we adopt a puppy, it must be previously assessed whether we will be able to hold him in case an enmity arises with another dog. The use of the anti-pulling harness becomes essential in these cases.
Dogo Argentino care
The Dogo Argentino does not require excessive care to be happy, but it is important to value some of them. To start we will talk about the care of his coat, which will need a weekly brushingto remove dead hair. However, it must be taken into account that the Argentine Dogo loses a lot of hair, so it will be necessary to clean the house with some regularity. It's appropriate to bath him every month or month and a half, or when he's really dirty. It may be indicated to go to a dog groomer or to bathe outside.
Let's not forget that your dermis is very sensitive and therefore it is advisable not to expose it to intense sun and be careful with temperature drops. The Argentine Dogo does not tolerate cold well.
The Dogo Argentino will need between 2 and 3 walks a day, in which we will allow him to sniff, investigate and interact with other animals. It will also be useful to encourage him to do moderate exercise either through games and toys or varied activities such as completing an agility circuit. The Argentine Dogo will enjoy the mental stimulation that this type of activity will provide.
Providing them with ample living space, such as a house with a garden, is highly recommended, but they can perfectly adapt to a lifestyle in an urban environment if provided with appropriate physical and mental activity. Indoors, the Argentine Dogo is usually a calm dog.
Dogo Argentino education
The Dogo Argentino is a dog that responds wonderfully to positive reinforcement but very negatively to punishment, physical force and, in general, to any habit that causes discomfort or anxiety. In a situation of mistreatment, the Argentine Dogo can become a destructive dog, something that can also happen if it is not given the appropriate walks and exercise.
Before starting with the education, we must remember that it is essential to set some rules that all the members of the family comply with so that the dog does not feel confused. For example, if we decide not to let him on the couch, we should all follow that same rule. Otherwise the dog will feel disoriented. It is also good to assess some future aspects such as its large size. If we encourage him to climb on top of people in his puppy stage, he will probably do the same in his adult stage (and it will not be as much fun), consider all these details before adopting him.
The education of the dog will begin with the socialization process in which we will accustom the puppy to the presence and play with other dogs, people and different environmentsand objects that you will have in your adult life. This is undoubtedly the pillar of education since it will depend on it that our dog is stable, social and calm. The lack of socialization causes fearful, reactive behaviors and even behavior problems in the dog, so it will be essential to work on it thoroughly with him.
Later on we will start with obedience commands, an activity that will excite the Argentine dogo. Being such an intelligent and devoted dog, he will feel useful and rewarded whenever you practice obedience together, as well as fostering your relationship. We recommend spending 10 to 15 minutes a day to review and learn new things.
Dogo Argentino he alth
The Dogo Argentino is a fairly he althy breed. To ensure this, it will be useful to visit the vet every 6 monthsand make sure that he does not have any problems. We will also properly follow some routines such as the dog's vaccination schedule and deworming (both external and internal). These habits will help us prevent some contagious diseases as well as the presence of parasites in the dog. Let's not forget that castration is highly recommended. The most common diseases of the Argentine dogo are:
- Heritable deafness
- Hip dysplasia
- Sunburn
In addition to everything mentioned above, we must offer him a quality food, and an appropriate hygiene routine: clean his teeth, ears, emptying his anal glands and even removing the legañas every morning are some highly recommended habits to follow. The life expectancy of the Argentine Dogo is about 10 or 12 years, however this figure can be exceeded if it is cared for properly.
