Dogo Argentinos are beautiful and powerful animals. You won’t go unnoticed wherever you go with a Dogo Argentino puppy. However, before you go out and buy one of these stunning canines, you might be wondering are Dogo Argentinos good family dogs? Well, the truth is that it depends. He won’t be the right pet for every family. In this article, we will go over the most important questions that every future dog owner has to ask before getting one of these puppies.
We will do a deep dive into how much effort it requires to take for one of these dogs if they get along with children and other pets, and lastly, we will also do an FAQ to answer all of your possible remaining questions. So let’s dive in and try to determine if the Dogo Argentino would be a good choice for you and your family members.
Are Dogo Argentinos good family dogs?
If you are wondering “Do Dogo Argentinos make good family dogs?”, the truth is that it depends on what kind of family we are talking about. If you are someone who wants a mellow and calm family dog, then a better option would be other popular breeds, like the Golden Retriever. But if you want a protective, powerful dog, and you have a lot of free time to train and exercise him, then a Dogo Argentino could be a good choice. These dogs were developed for big game hunting, and you can’t forget about that when adopting this amazing breed.
The best way to know if this is the right dog for you is to talk to a reputable breeder. Be honest about the lifestyle you live and the amount of time, patience, and money you have to invest into your canine. A reputable breeder would never sell a puppy to a person who clearly couldn’t care for it in the right way. This breed has a strong reputation and is often considered a fighting dog. While they can be trained to have a calm and collected temper, we still wouldn’t suggest mixing them with small children.
Source: Instagram (@dogoargentinosaw)
Do Dogo Argentinos get along with kids?
These dogs are usually great with kids. But you have to socialize them with kids from an early age. If your kids are taught how to behave around dogs, and if your Dogo gets the proper socialization, you should be fine. However, that only applies to older kids that actually can understand how strong and powerful this breed is. Small children see dogs and other animals as toys, and it’s pretty much impossible to predict in which way their interaction may go. So if you have a baby or toddler at home, this probably isn’t the right fit for you. But either way, you should always remember that you shouldn’t leave kids and dogs unsupervised.
Are they good with other animals?
Dogo Argentinos are very territorial and protective dogs, and it’s not unusual for them to become jealous. So if they weren’t raised around other animals, bringing a new puppy home could become a problem. They just want to be your number one. When it comes to other animals, because of their strong prey drive, they don’t do too well around smaller animals like cats, birds, or rabbits. Ideally, the Dogo would make a great only dog for people who have enough experience and time to invest in their upbringing.
Is a Dogo Argentino suitable for a first-time owner?
Absolutely not. Getting such a powerful dog would be a great deal for a first-time dog owner. Most of them wouldn’t be able to handle so much dog power. They are just demanding canines that need a lot of training, athletic activities, and socialization in order to be their best selves. They are known for their amazing police work, great job as guide dogs, and overall being a working breed. That means that they always need a task to do in order to be on their best behavior. It could be very challenging for someone who does not have any experience at all with dogs to know how to properly care for a dog of this caliber.
Are Dogo Argentinos hard to train?
It’s not so much that these dogs are hard to train, but that they need a lot of training. With such strong bodies, intimidating appearance, and powerful bite force, the Argentine Dogo is a true weapon. Ideally, they shouldn’t display any kind of dog aggression or destructive behaviors. But achieving that will take a lot of training sessions. These dogs thrive on positive reinforcement methods. Also, always make sure you keep the training sessions short and sweet. They need a lot of mental stimulation and get bored easily. If you find training them overwhelming, don’t be afraid to seek out the help of a professional dog trainer.
Is a Dogo Argentino high-maintenance?
Yes, they absolutely are. At least in some aspects. When it comes to grooming, they are pretty basic. Their short coat only needs weekly brushing, and they won’t shed too much. Because of their white coat color, they do get dirty more easily than black dogs, for example. However, most of them still don’t need more than one bath a month. In addition to that, just like every other dog, they need to get their teeth brushed, their nails clipped, and their ears cleaned.
But they are high maintenance when it comes to their exercise needs, training, and their canine diet. Dogo Argentinos are working dogs, after all, so don’t underestimate how much exercise they need. One long walk one cut it. These dogs need at least 60 minutes of high-intensity activity on a daily basis. That includes jogging, hiking, and playing different games. They also do well in dog sports. When it comes to their diet, they thrive on a high-quality, protein-based diet. Because they are such large dogs, they do eat quite a lot. From two to three cups of dog food a day.
Dogo Argentino FAQ
There is so much more to say about this unique dog breed. However, not everything could fit in just one article. But we still wanted to answer some additional questions that often pop up in our comments. So here are the top questions we get regarding the Dogo Argentino dog breed.
What two dogs make a Dogo Argentino?
The Dogo Argentino isn’t simply a mix of two dog breeds. It takes much more to create such a powerful, brave, and muscular breed. The Dogo Argentino dog breed was created by doctor Antonio Nores Martinez, who wanted to create a dog that is protective, good at hunting, but still a lovely family companion. That’s why doctor Martinez crossed the Cordoba fighting dog with mastiffs, boxers, bull terriers, and bulldogs. Martinez created the breed in 1928, so they have been loyal human companions for almost 100 years.
Are Dogo Argentinos banned in the US?
Unfourtanentley, the Dogo Argentino is banned in many places. These countries include the Cayman Islands, Denmark, Norway, Fiji, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Turkey. However, the US isn’t one of them. But, it is in fact illegal to own a Dogo Argentino without lawful authority. In addition to that, some areas do have restrictions on this dog breed. So if you want to get a Dogo Argentino, make sure you check your state, city, and county laws.
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Which is more powerful, a Pitbull or Dogo Argentino?
The Dogo Argentino could be considered more powerful than a Pitbull, however, it’s a bit tricky to give a precise answer. Obviously, both of these dog breeds are strong and powerful. You wouldn’t want to get in a fight with any of these two dogs. But the Dogo Argentino has a significantly stronger bite force than the Pitbull, which means that their bites are significantly more dangerous. In addition to that, the Dogo Argentino is also taller and weighs more than the average Pitbull. Some would even describe the Dogo Argentino as the older and stronger brother of the Pitbull breed.
Which is better, Cane Corso or Dogo Argentino?
These are pretty similar dog breeds, and the answer to this question will completely depend on your personal preference. However, a Cane Corso puppy is easier to find, and it may even be cheaper. But both of these dogs are large breeds with a muscular physique and a strong prey drive. They need plenty of exercise and early socialization. That means that they aren’t really the best choice for people who have no experience with caring for such powerful dogs. So if you are a first-time dog owner, neither of these two dog breeds will be the “better choice” for you.
What is the bite force of a Dogo Argentino?
A Dogo Argentino has a bite force of 500 PSI. PSI stands for “Pound per square inch“, and it measures how much pressure is being put on an area of one square inch. It’s impossible to precisely determine what the bite force of a dog is, so we usually just talk about the average number. For reference, the Cane Corso has a bite force of 650 PSI, while a Pitbull has a bite force of 240-330 PSI. This means that the bite force of the Dogo Argentino definitely isn’t something to joke with. Their bites could end deadly, so make sure you train and socialize with your dog on time.
What is the ultimate fighting dog?
There is none. Sorry to break this to you, but no dog breed should be used for fighting. Dog fighting competitions are cruel, illegal, and absolutely disgusting. No canine should be forced to take part in them. So many breeds, like the Pitbull or Cane Corso, got a bad reputation because their irresponsible owners decided to put them up for dog fighting shows in the past. It’s time to finally stop these vicious events and let dogs be pets.