Country of Origin: Argentina
- Activity Level:high
- Shedding Level:moderate
- Grooming Level:low
- Trainability:moderate
- Good for Novice Owners:low
- Adaptability:high
- Kid/Pet Friendly:often
- Prey Drive:moderate
- Watchdog:very alert
- Average Size:Large
- Average Lifespan:9-15 years
- Registered?:aca, akc
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Dogo Argentino Dog Breed Information
Overview
Temperament
Adaptability
Health
Owner Experience
Grooming
Activity Level
Size
Life Span
Did You Know?
The Dogo Argentino, also known as the Argentine Mastiff, has been bred since 1928. They are known for their bravery, loyalty, and affectionate personality. The original breeder, Antonio Nores Martinez, bred this dog for big game hunting: specifically wild boar.
Though it’s a purebred dog today, originally it began as a cross between Cordoba Fighting Dogs and an array of other dogs – including the Great Dane. Augustin Nores Martinez, Antonio’s brother, kept the passion for this breed and his brother’s work alive.
Thanks to his effort, the FCI recognized and accepted the Dogo Argentino as its first, and its only, Argentinean dog breed in 1973. The AKC recognized the Dogo Argentino as a member of the Working Group in 2020.
The Dogo Argentino is trained for search and rescue, assisting police, acting as a service dog, and military work. They have an aptitude for obedience training and have become well known for being protective. One of the facts about Dogo Argentinos is that they also make great family dogs.
Well-socialized, they do well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Provided they are socialized well and well trained, they are comfortable in group settings, and are remarkable social butterflies. They may be initially wary of strangers at first, but tend to warm up once introduced.
As natural-born protectors that grow into large and powerful dogs, they will need extensive socialization throughout their lives. As watchful protectors, they can be prone to barking a lot. Although they will still bark to alert you, you can train your dog to stop barking early on to keep it from getting out of hand.
Dogo Argentinos are highly adaptable dogs. This pup thrives on being a part of a close, growing family and does best in rural areas where there is plenty of room to romp around. They can be perfectly happy in a smaller home, or even an apartment, but will need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep boredom at bay.
This breed is always happy to be around their owner. Try not to leave them home alone for long periods of time, as they can get bored easily and prefer to be with people. They handle heat better than some dogs, but are still sensitive to it. Their short coat also means they can get cold in the winter, so they may need to bundle up in some winter dog products to stay warm while out on walks when the temperatures dip.
Potential health concerns to be aware of in Dogo Argentinos can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and pigment-related deafness. Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Dogo Argentino puppies.
Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to make sure they are not passing avoidable issues to puppies. Make sure you talk to the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. The Dogo Argentino Club of America recommends BAER testing, a cardiac exam, and a hip evaluation.
Although the Dogo Argentino is intelligent and responds well to training, they tend not to be a good fit for first-time owners due to their size and strength. Even if you have experience training large dogs, it’s still recommended to work with a trainer to make sure your Dogo Argentino is well-socialized and properly trained from the start.
Dogo Argentinos have short white coats that will shed moderately year-round. Generally, they will only need to be brushed once a week or a couple of times a week. A rubber brush and a grooming glove are good types of dog grooming brushes to have on hand. Bathing is on an as-needed basis.
In addition to coat care, you will also need to take care of your Dogo Argentino’s nails, ears, and teeth. Cutting nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long and causing issues. Weekly ear checks and careful cleanings when needed can help prevent ear infections. Daily tooth brushing, plus cleanings at the vet as needed, is a good start for dental care for dogs and can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life.
It’s a good idea to get your Dogo Argentino used to having their paws, ears, and mouth handled as a puppy. This can help make grooming a lot easier, especially as they grow into a large, powerful dog. If you reward them and make grooming a positive experience, it can help you build a bond with your dog. It may even become something they look forward to, or at least something they don’t mind.
Dogo Argentinos range from moderate to high energy and will need plenty of exercise throughout the day. Daily walks plus some playtime and other activities are usually enough for these dogs. They also thrive when they have a job to do.
Provided they are well-socialized, trips to the dog park can be a good outlet. If your Dogo seems to like water, swimming can be a great activity. It’s also a low-impact activity that is a great fit for dogs of all ages.
It’s important to keep your Dogo Argentino’s activities low impact until their bones and joints finish growing and developing to avoid damaging their joints. When puppies finish growing and the vet has cleared them for higher-impact activities, you can try hiking or even training for dog sports.
A fully-grown Dogo Argentino usually stands between 24-27 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 80-100 pounds.
Dogo Argentinos generally live for 9-15 years on average.
When the Dogo Argentino was used as a big game hunting dog in Argentina, it was primarily used to hunt wild boar and mountain lions!
