Here at IndulgeYourPet, we feel that “sometimes,” as American dog owners, we put a little too much emphasis on which dogs are “officially” recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) because while the AKC is certainly a fine organization, “sometimes” they’re a bit slow in recognizing a particular dog breed.
The good news is…
That the Dogo Argentino is currently in the “process” of being “officially” recognized, but it just hasn’t happened yet, which is probably why so many folks out there haven’t heard about this awesome dog!
For this reason…
We wanted to take a moment and discuss the Dogo Argentino dog breed so that if you ever get a chance to get your hands on one, you won’t need to hesitate wondering if this is the right “kind” of dog for you!
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Dogo Argentino Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of origin: Argentina
Original Purpose: Big game hunter
Height: 24 to 27 inches
Weight: 80 to 100 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Currently under consideration by the AKC
Lifespan: 9 to 15 years
Origin of the Dogo Argentino dog breed.
The Dogo Argentino dates back to approximately 1928, when Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez, a renowned Argentinian doctor, with a passion for dogs and “big game” hunting, decided to systematically go about creating the “ultimate” hunting companion for himself.
He accomplished this by…
Crossbreeding various purebred dogs with old fighting dogs from Cordoba which were strong and vigorous. After spending a long time studying and selecting the desired breeds across different generations, the doctor finally “settled” on what would eventually become the dog we know today as the Dogo Argentino.
Early on…
The Dogo Argentino was at first thought of as just a “fighting dog” which is “understandable” give the year he was created and his obvious similarities to other dog fighting breeds created before him.
However…
True to the Doctors original intentions, the Dogo’s strong hunting instincts set this dog apart from others making him an ideal companion on hunting trips. And unlike many other hunting dogs, this dog’s natural size and fearless attitude made him perfect for hunting larger, more dangerous animals.
Dogo Argentino Characteristics.
The Dogo Argentino is a large dog that has a short white coat that does very little to hide the fact that these dogs are strong and muscular, very much like an American Staffordshire or Pit Bull Terrier.
That said…
Unlike other dogs that may be similar in appearance to the Dogo Argentino, the Dogo Argentiono’s coat will only be white, with no other colors what so ever.
As far as…
The actual size of your typical Dogo Argentino, the current breed standard is set as the following:
- Male Dogo Argentinos weigh between 88 to 100 pounds and are 24 to 27 inches in height
- Female Dogo Argentinos weigh between 88 to 95 pounds and are 24 to 26 inches in height
Additionally…
The length of the dog’s body will typically be greater than the height, which when combined with the Dogo’s broad chest and “domed” skull can create quite an intimidating presence!
The Temperamental Traits of the Argentinian Mastiff
The Dogo Argentino is a powerful dog with somewhat of a dual personality.
And by “dual” personality…
We mean that this dog can definitely be a loving and a silent guardian of the entire family but, at the same time, the dog is strong and bold enough to take down a wild boar!
Which is why…
We generally only like to recommend dogs like this to folks who have a lot of experience working with powerful dogs or for those who don’t have small children in the house.
You see…
Dogo Argentinos can be great dogs when socialized early and trained properly, but when they’re not, they are literally a 100-pound wrecking balls living at home with you!
A wrecking ball…
That will love you to his or her dying day but has a bit of an independence streak which can make training him or her a bit challenging at time.
It’s also important…
To point out that these guys are natural hunters which is why, it’s probably not a good idea to introduce a full grown Dogo Argentino into a home with other dogs and/or cats unless of course you know that they were raised with other dogs and cats from an early age.
That said…
With his family, the Dogo Argentino will always be a loyal and faithful companion that will enjoy being in close proximity to those he will want to protect at all times. And as an intelligent breed, these guys will have an “uncanny” ability to differentiate “unwelcome” strangers from “unfamiliar” guests, which is exactly what you want in a good guard dog!
Health Concerns and Life Expectancy: The Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino isn’t prone to a lot of major health problems and is a relatively healthy dog breed, which is good if you’re planning to add this dog to your family.
One of the major health problems that affect the Argentinian Mastiff is:
Approximately 10% of dogs in this breed are deaf in either one or both ears. And while this “pigment-related deafness” isn’t unique in the Dogo Argentino dog breed, it is still something that you’ll want to be aware of when deciding which Dogo Argentino breeder you want to work with.
Other dog breeds that suffer from this same “pigment-related deafness” include:
- Boxers,
- Dalmatians,
- and white Bull Terriers.
Other health conditions that may affect the Dogo Argentino include:
- Laryngeal paralysis,
- Hyperthyroidism,
- Glaucoma,
- And hip dysplasia.
Which brings us to…
The last topic that we wanted to mention in our article about the Dogo Argentino dog breed which is the importance of purchasing a pet insurance policy on your pet.
This way…
If your little buddy does get sick, you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of his or her medical bills.
For more information about who we “feel” currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there be sure to check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
It’s been two years and it’s finally recognized (: