The Dogo Argentino is a large, white dog with short coat. This grand breed is known for its strong jaws and muscular body. Dogos are mastiff-type dogs that thrive on exercise and athletic activities. They are magnificent hunters and guard dogs, but are usually non-aggressive with people. They are huge, affectionate dogs that love to take a nap in your lap, but they require a confident owner who can take charge and train them properly.

 

Appearance

The male is usually about 24.3 inches (62 cm) high; while the female is about 23.5 inches (60 cm). An adult Dogo usually weighs between 80 – 100 lbs.

Dogos have very muscular legs and paws with short, well-jointed toes. The head is powerful with a broad, slightly domed skull and a powerful muzzle. The jaws are strong with large teeth, which normally meet in a scissors bite. A Dogos eyes are dark or light brown and the nose is usually black. Many owners/breeders choose to crop their Dogo´s ears, while others prefer them to hang naturally.

The Dogo tolerates hot climates, but does not react well to cold. The breed does best in a big yard, but will do well in an apartment if exercised on a regular basis.

A Big Dog with a Big Heart

Dogos are known for their outgoing eager-to-please nature and their affection for people. Generally, Dogo Argentinos are easy to train, but they need a firm and gentle trainer. The breed can be aggressive with other animals, but are usually good with other pets if raised around them.

On the whole, a Dogo is a sweet, yet powerful dog filled with love, energy and playfulness. But because of its enormous strength (and size), it is also a dog that needs adequate training in order to become a wonderful family companion, which means that a Dogo might not be the best choice for a novice dog owner.

Fighting Bloodlines & Dog Aggression

The Dogo Argentino was bred to avoid the dog aggression problems inherent in the Old Cordoba Fighting Dog, which is the basis of the breed. In fact, Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez, the creator of the Dogo breed, went to great lengths to prevent this unwanted characteristic from manifesting in the breed, since it was actually intended for hunting in packs.

Nevertheless, some Dogos are being bred by wicked people for the sole purpose of dog fighting. The dogs from these “fighting bloodlines” can be, unlike Dogo Argentinos from serious breeders, very aggressive. Dog fighting is illegal in North America, but this does not stop some unethical, cruel and abusive dog owners from entering their dogs in fights. To read more about this heinous thing called dog fighting and what you can do to help stop it, click here!