Get to know

Dogo Argentinos

Written by
Caroline Coile, Ph.D.,
 author of 34 dog books.
Veterinarian reviewed
 by Nate Ritter, DVM.
Written by
Caroline Coile, Ph.D.,
 author of 34 dog books, including the top-selling Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds.

Veterinarian reviewed

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Wayward’s Dogos and Spellbound Greyhounds

The Dogo Argentino (Dogo for short) is a sleek protective breed that is not for beginners–but is all too often acquired by people who are not ready to cope with a dog with such a strong body and personality

In the right hands, it can be incredible. In the wrong hands, it can be dangerous.
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19 available Dogo Argentino puppies

$3k average price

39 certified Dogo Argentino breeders

28 active litters

At a glance

High Energy

Energy level

4/5

Minimal Maintenance

Grooming

1/5

Extra Large

Size

Protective, tough

Temperament

9-15 years

Lifespan

Quick to Learn

Training

4/5

Low Vocality

Barking

2/5

At a glance

  • Energy level

    High Energy

  • Grooming

    Minimal Maintenance

  • Size

    Extra Large

  • Temperament

    Protective, tough

  • Lifespan

    9-15 years

  • Training

    Quick to Learn

  • Barking

    Low Vocality

Why people love the breed

People love Dogos because of their sleek, athletic physique and their loyal and protective nature.
Dogos are above all courageous, and they will protect those they love at all costs. No matter the threat, the Dogo will unflinchingly stand up to its adversary in any confrontation. They are deeply attached to their special people but do not share their affection indiscriminately. In appearance, the Dogo is like a Greek god or Roman sculpture come to life, as though cut from marble, muscles rippling but never overdone.

Appearance

The Dogo is magnificent: imposing, athletic, confident, and with a glistening sleek white coat.
The Dogo Arentino is a large, powerful dog that gives the impression of power and energy, with a powerful yet agile build. The bone is substantial and the body fairly deep, such that the chest represents at least 50% of the height at the withers. The topline slopes slightly down toward the croup. The tail is set on as a continuation of the spine, thick at its bases and tapering to its end, which should be at the level of the hock joint. The head is large and powerful, the muzzle about the same length as the backskull. The muzzle is longer than deep, but wide, and is slightly concave viewed from the side. The ears may be cropped, erect, or semi-erect. When uncropped they are of medium length and may hang down when the dog is at rest. The coat is straight, short and smooth, and white all over, though small spots can be located on the skull. The eyes are dark and the nose black.

Grooming

The Dogo’s grooming requirements are minimal.
Their short coat tends to repel dirt. They require only occasional brushing and bathing. In some areas the coat can stain, for example in red clay yards. It can also stain when the dog licks itself for a prolonged time. Trim the toenails as needed. Brush the teeth daily. Check the ears weekly for any debris. But overall, this is an easy breed when it comes to grooming.
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Storm Dogos & Country Corgis

Breed temperament and characteristics

If one word describes the Dogo, it’s courageous. Other words would be protective, loyal, affectionate, and playful.
Dogos were bred as big-game hunters, able to tackle any wild animal without hesitation. That courage, combined with a fierce loyalty, results in a very protective dog. But there’s a caution here: even the smartest dog can misinterpret situations. Protective dogs are too often protective against invited friends or children’s playmates. Too many people bring a protective dog home but have no idea how to train or control such a dog to absolutely ensure the dog makes no such mistakes. This also affects their ability to be ideal companions for children or elderly. On the plus side, they are loyal, affectionate, playful, and protective. On the negative side, they are dogs and like all dogs can misinterpret a situation—unfortunately, with disastrous results. Thus, as with every large protective dog, Dogos should never be left unsupervised with a child or elderly person. In addition, Dogos are not always good with other dogs or pets. Before being used as a big \-game hunter, they were used in fighting pits. While they will generally get along fine with other family dogs and pets, when a scrap arises or things get out of hand, it can end poorly. This is not a dog for dog parks.

Exercise

Dogos are large, athletic dogs and need lots of room to exercise. They need at least an hour a day of exercise.
Dogos need a securely fenced area. They have a high prey drive and are apt to take off after another dog or a wild animal. They enjoy hiking and jogging on leash. They are not good dog park dogs. Most enjoy swimming. Dogos also require a lot of mental exercise. Favorite activities include dog sports such as obedience, weight pull, nose work, barn hunt and protection sports such as Schutzhund.
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K&B Southern Oregon Argentino Dogos

Training

Dogos are willing to please, but they are also independent.
Don’t try to force your Dogo into obeying. You will always lose, and end up creating a dog that is especially resistant. Instead of force training, convince your Dogo that following your cues will pay off in terms of rewards, whether food, games, or praise. Dogos are very smart dogs that can achieve the highest levels of training. They are willing to please and love praise and tug games as rewards. Because they are naturally wary of strangers, it’s imperative that your Dogo be socialized extensively so they form a good opinion of other people. They should also meet other puppies, but never be allowed to bully them. A puppy socialization class is a very good idea for any Dogo youngster.

Diet and nutrition

Most Dogos do well on high-quality commercial foods and need nothing special beyond that.
If you prepare your own food, then following a diet approved by a veterinary nutritionist should also be a healthy choice for your Dogo. This is an athletic breed that should not be allowed to become overweight, especially if it has joint problems or arthritis. Dogo Argentino puppies should eat a puppy food specially formulated for large breeds, which regulates the growth rate and has been shown to lessen the risk of hip dysplasia. Young puppies should eat three times a day, and then twice a day thereafter starting around 4 months of age. Your veterinarian is the best resource for specialized diets in the event your Dogo requires them.
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De La Citra Dogo Argentino

Health issues

The Dogo Argentino Club of America is proactive concerning Dogo health. They suggest parents be tested for a variety of possibly hereditary problems before breeding.

Lifespan: 9 to 15 years.

Hip dysplasia

Common in large breed dogs, this complex condition involves both genetic and environmental factors and arises when the head of the femur doesn’t fit in the pelvic socket, causing arthritis and lameness. No genetic test is available to date, therefore, the recommended screening test is x-rays.

Elbow dysplasia

Found more often in larger breeds, this is a condition in which the elbow joint develops inappropriately, causing arthritis and lameness. No genetic test is available to date, therefore, the recommended screening test is x-rays.

Congenital deafness

As with many predominantly white dogs, Dogos have a high frequency of congenital deafness. It is recommended to perform the BAER hearing test.

Other health issues

The national breed club also suggests testing parents for thyroid disease, ocular conditions, and cardiac abnormalities.

Learn more about health issues that may impact Dogo Argentinos

History

One of the few Argentinian breeds, the Dogo Argentino is a fairly newer breed that was purposefully created within about 20 years after inception.
Two brothers created this breed starting in 1928. They based it on the nearly extinct mastiff-like Viejo Perro Pelea Cordobes, or old fighting dog of Cordoba. That breed was so aggressive that they bred in other breeds to make it more docile. They mixed in Boxer and Great Pyrenees for temperament, plus Pointer for scenting ability, Bull Terrier for white coat, Great Dane for height, and Bulldog for jaw strength. The brothers promoted the breed, even staging a fight between a Dogo and a boar and a puma—which the Dogo won. Dogos came to the United States of America in 1970, and quickly gained favor with hog hunters in the western part of the country. The American Kennel Club (AKC) admitted the Dogo as a member of the Working group in 2020.
Dogo puppy laying in tall grass
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Northern Snow Angels Kennel

Dogo headshot
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Assemble MAS & Tightline Dogos

About the author

Canine specialist, Caroline Coile, Ph.D., is the author of 34 dog books, including the top-selling Barron's Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. She’s written thousands of magazine and web articles about dogs. She specializes in canine science, health, breeds and competitions. Caroline has won 20 national dog-writing awards, and was a 2015 Inductee into the Dog Writers Association of America Hall of Fame.

Veterinarian reviewed

Dr. Nate Ritter, DVM is the Veterinary Medical Director at Good Dog. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lafayette College and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, New York State Veterinary Medical Society, the Veterinary Medical Association of New York City, and the Society for Theriogenology. Additionally, he is a USDA-accredited veterinarian.

Breed Scorecard

Characteristics and temperament

  • Affectionate with family

    4

  • Watchdog level

    5

  • Playfulness

    3

  • Adaptability

    2

  • Social needs

    3

  • Temperament

    Protective, tough

  • Intelligence

    4

  • Good with other dogs

    2

  • Good with cats or other pets

    2

  • Friendly with strangers

    1

  • Good as a service dog

    2

  • Good for apartments

    1

  • Barking level

    2

Appearance

  • Height

    24-26"

  • Size

    Extra Large

  • Colors

    White

  • Coat texture

    Smooth

  • Coat length

    Short, close-fitting

Training

  • Trainability

    4

Exercise

  • Exercise needs

    4

  • Exercise time

    About 1 hour daily

  • Mental exercise needs

    3

  • Favorite activities

    Schutzhund, protection sports, hiking

Grooming

  • Grooming needs

    1

  • Brushing frequency

    Monthly

  • Needs professional grooming?

    No

  • Drooling level

    2

Health issues

  • Hip dysplasia

  • Elbow dysplasia

  • Congenital deafness

  • Other health issues

Other

  • Bred for

    Big game hunting

  • Country of origin

    Argentina

  • Popularity level

    3

FAQs

  • On Good Dog, you can search for Dogo Argentino puppies or dogs in rescues and shelters. Adopting a Dogo Argentino from a shelter or rescue is generally less expensive than buying a puppy from a breeder with ethical practices. Across the United States, there are dedicated rescues that specialize in specific breeds and may even help transport a Dogo Argentino dog to you from another part of the country. Although it can be more cost-effective, adopting the exact breed you're looking for is typically more difficult than working with a responsible breeder. Learn more about adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue.

  • A Dogo Argentino is primarily comprised of breeds such as the Cordoba Fighting Dog, Great Dane, Bull Terrier, and Boxer. It was developed in Argentina in the 20th century for big-game hunting.

  • Dogo Argentinos typically weigh between 88 to 100 pounds.

  • The Dogo Argentino is a large, muscular dog with a short, white coat, a broad head, and a confident expression.

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