The Dogo Argentino — man’s best friend or dangerous dog? As with just about any dog breed, the Dogo Argentino can go either way. They were bred to be friendly towards man, but they were also bred to hunt, something they did quite well. Unfortunately, their popularity as a fighting dog and aggressive lines as led to them being banned in many countries.
The Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino is a large dog, roughly 24 to 26 inches tall and weighing 80 to 100 pounds, with males typically a little larger than females. These dogs have large, well developed heads with impressive musculature. Bred to hunt and take down dangerous prey, including pumas, wild cat in their native Argentine, the Argentinian mastiff is an impressive breed.
The Dogo Argentino has a short and completely white coat, which means they are often easy to identify. (Some may have small, dark markings, such as around their eyes.) Many breeders crop their ears to make them stand up, adding to their ferocious image. For grooming purposes, owners need to give them the occasional bath, but regular brushing is great for bonding and maintaining a healthy coat.
What Were Dogo Argentinos Bred For?
The breed was developed by Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez, a doctor who had a significant passion for dogs. He cross-bred several different purebred dogs with a fighting dog from his home region of Argentina, Cordoba.
While the initial use for the Dogo Argentino was as a fighting dog, Dr. Nores Martinez took one of his dogs with him when hunting. The dog proved itself to be hardy for the varied and rugged Argentinean terrain and was brave, able to take down animals ranging from peccaries to wild boars.
Are Dogo Argentino Dogs Aggressive?
Dogo Argentinos are considered one of the most aggressive dog breeds in the world. Since the breeds inception, these dogs were used as fighting dogs and were bred from fighting dogs.
Because of their aggressive tendencies, Dogo Argentinos have been banned in a variety of countries, including:
• United Kingdom
• Iceland
• New Zealand
• Ukraine
• Denmark
• Israel
This dog was never bred to be aggressive towards people, although cases of aggression have been documented. Instead, they were bred to be friendly towards people, and aggressive dogs are not recommended to be bred.
Dogo Argentinos have had documented cases of aggression towards strangers, but they are also sometimes aggressive with their owners. In fact, there has been at least one case of a Dogo Argentino owner being attacked and killed by their own breeding dog. There have been multiple cases of Dogo Argentinos killing people, although other large breeds have also taken down adult humans.
The Dogo Argentino and Safety
Dogo Argentinos have had cases of aggression noted towards "their humans," but these dogs are typically good with their family. They should be trained early on to interact with children, or they may be increasingly aggressive with the children. They are considered exceptionally good guard dogs and are known for protecting their family and home. They tend to be unwilling to accept strangers, so they need to be cautiously introduced to new people.
Dogo Argentinos tend to be okay with other dogs, but they were bred as a fighting dog breed, so they may be increasingly aggressive towards other dogs. In that same vein, however, they were bred to work with other dogs when hunting, so many are okay with dogs they have been raised with or introduced to.
Keep in mind that roughly 10 percent of these dogs are deaf, a trait which is common in many white breeds of dogs. That can make them increasingly unpredictable or easy to startle. If you are looking at getting a Dogo Argentino, it is strongly recommended that you have their hearing tested.
Are Dogo Argentinos a Good First Time Dog?
Dogo Argentinos are not a good first time dog. They should only be owned by experienced dog handlers. Even in those cases, Dogo Argentinos have been linked to cases of aggression. If purchasing a Dogo Argentino, owners need to be prepared to work extensively with a trainer or handler to train their new dog and teach basic obedience. Everyone in the family should be involved in training the Dogo Argentino so that the dog respects each family member.
They also need an outlet for their energy, which many people can’t readily provide if living in small apartments or homes. Dogo Argentinos need lots of exercise. These pets are not usually content to lay around on the couch all day. Regular activity is essential. Suggestions for exercise include regular play time outside, with activities such as hiking and retrieving balls or discs.
These dogs are also great candidates for training for agility and obedience. Indoor activities might include hide and seek or chasing a ball, but keep in mind they will likely need more intensive activity than just those activities provide to keep their minds focused and their bodies in shape. After all, these are heavily muscled dogs.
The Dogo Argentino is not a dog breed for the faint of heart. These tough dogs need lots of love, but they also need someone to train them extensively, especially due to their propensity towards aggressive behaviors. Banned in many countries, these are not dogs you can find everywhere, but they are well worth the effort for the dedicated owner.
Related Posts:
Excellent information. I am an international FCI judge and specialist of the Dogo Argentino breed. I live in Orlando Florida. Any questions at your service
hello i have a question about my dogo when will it be too late to have her ears clipped?
The year of never! Why in gods name would u mutilate this gorgeous creature and put them through endless pain??!!
Looking for advice on how to remedy a problem with my 2yo dogo. Please respond.
Hi, I have a dogo who we believe is mostly dogo, but has a small amount of both staffing and pitbull in her. My friend bought her from someone who lived in a 1bedroom flat with 4 other dogs. 1 being the mother. She wasn’t showing any love and affection, kept in a cage and walked with a muzzle from the beginning. Point bring she wasn’t socialised or trained as a puppy and is 2 yrs old now . She was quite a handful and my friend didn’t have anywhere to live and left her with us. She is the most loving affectionate and cuddly animal I’ve ever come across. I was the 1st female she had come in her life and she would die for me. I trust her completely and she does me, she trusts me to do things no other dog would cuz she trusts me that much. If she hadn’t come to live with us, she would of been put down by now as my friend is irresponsible and thought it funny when she tried to bite people. Inside, she’s the soppiest, loving and affectionate dog ,that constantly wants to be next to you, leaning on you, laying on your lap, and having full on cuddles, like a child. But…outside she’s a completely different dog. She goes psycho when she sees another dog, and nothing will snap her out of it, the only thing to do is try to get as far away from the other dog as possible. She is the same around ppl, especially strangers but she’s improved massively with that , but if someone comes up behind her quickly, it startles her mind and she goes mad. I believe she thinks she’s protecting us, she’s overprotective because she loves us so much. But it’s embarrassing to have to deal with. To other people it looks like we can’t control her. My friend sold her to us as he saw how much. She loves us and couldn’t take her back. How do I correct her aggression?
I happened to come across this article and your comment caught my eye…It’s been over a year that you posted so hopefully you’ve been able to resolve the issue…I have 2 pure bred dogos and have been around many..their personalities are very bullheaded and stubborn, but they WANT to do what you would like them to, but you have to show them and just keep repeating. There’s no absolute way to train any dog, you have to try different words and sounds for what you’re trying to express to them and when you find the approach they seem to respond to – stick with it and be patient. One of my dogos is deaf, originally the breeder I bought her from brought her to me to be away from the other puppies to observe because he suspected she couldn’t hear and she couldn’t so I knew she was deaf when I bought her, but at I think she was 8 weeks old within the first day she learned to sit, wait (stay) and to not whine behind the gate I had put up when i walked away, unbelievably intelligent, my second dogo is a year younger and can hear, but she still hasnt mastered even just sit and thats mostly because she gets too excited about EVERYTHING, but she’s otherwise an aextremely well mannered dog. Except she goes crazy barking at just about everyone she sees. I’ve gotten her to somewhat walk away then sit, but she still keeps barking. The trick was to conceal a good treat when we are out and after I call her name or try to get her attention once or twice, i’ll wave it in front of her face to distract her. Then keep saying what you’d like her to respond to before during and after you give her the treat. Dogos are very bullheaded so you might have to go for somethign better than a biscuit and mayeb grab a piece of lunch meat or hot dog, whatever she loves but if you’re patient and can repeat the same actions whenever she starts to act up that way you dot want her to, you’ll probably notice after a 4 or 5 times she’s catching onto it and hopefully gives you some reassurance she’s responding to it.
I saw a man beating a 4mos old white dog, I pulled over and confronted him( actually ripping his sleave) I said what kind of dog is this( thinking it was a white Pit, he did not speak English and he kept saying dog Argentina, I said I know it’s a dog bot what breed? Well he jumped in his car a nd drove away. I picked up the terrified pup and brought her home. She was so afraid ,I carried her on my arms the whole first 6 most, but she got big too fast. I was living at a 5acre cat sanctuary w a lake, so she learned to respect all other animals. When I first took her to the dog park she would not come out from under the bench, I jst kept taking her and she became the greeting dog of all new dogs. It was a breeder at the park that told me what breed of dog I had, I had never heard of this breed. I am a 60y/0 woman who had dogs her whole life. Well of course I researched them, and got her into training at once! She grew to be 75lbs of pure muscle, a fabulous specimen of strength. Sometimes if u saw her standing and looking into the sunset it took my breath away! She raised new born kittens, loved children, was the most intelligent dog I’ve ever had. I no I’m being too long here, but my best friend jst passed away 6 mos ago and I still cry every day. Such a void in my life. Her name was ” Sabrina”, the live of my life! Hooray!!! For the Dogo Argintina!!!!
.
Thank you for sharing your story! If you would like the companionship of another loving Dogo I will give you one.
I have muscular dystrophy I’ve been looking for a dogo for years to be my best friend\service animal… I’m all in I worked with a dogo at a animal control he was the best dog I’ve ever met…. He was 110lbs at 10 months and I only had to correct him once! I want that again but to keep love and cherish him till either one of our end days!
Sunny, every word you spoke was 100% the truth. I had the PLEASURE of co-parenting a Dogo Argentine named Eve. I was around her from a pup. Her personality as an animal was like none i’ve ever experienced. She was loving, loyal, protective, full of energy, had strong, and strong. Unfortunately, she had to be put up for adoption because she deserved a better life than what she had. I miss her dearly, and whom ever have her, has a gym. I had been thinking about her very strongly for the past two weeks wondering if she was ok. Today, i miraculously came across a couple of some photos of her while searching for Dogo Argentine. I see that she’s healthy, happy and appears to be in caring and loving hands. Thank you from the debts of my heart.
Having lived in Buenos Aires for 7 years and going to dog parks with my 3 dogs I never once saw a dog be aggressive they played with my dogs and all was well
My dog was 3 or about that , I got him at the humane society. I have had him for 7 yrs.he loved to go to doggie day care.he has never barked.is scared of his shadow.we just love him and he layed by my bed most of the time. Very good with babies. And older children, I thing some one abused my beautiful dog bad.we have 2 pits and a cat, the cat sleeps with him.every one is quiet and happy.great family dog
I own a 2 year old male Dogo, Rico. I brought him home at 8 weeks and he is the most amazing dog I’ve had the privilege to have in my life. Rico is my first Dogo after raising and training many Dobermans. When I brought Rico home, I also had/have a 13 pound Coton de Tulear. I live alone out in the country so was looking for a large, intimidating looking watch dog. My dogs live inside so good manners are required. Elan, the Coton, loves her big brother and he is incredibly gentle with her. I brought home a Dogue de Bordeaux puppy last August. Rico is sure I brought him a puppy. Jezebell and Rico get along great. After spending the last couple of years raising Rico, here are a couple of observations on the breed.
First, Dogos are very intelligent. That intelligence makes them a challenge to train. I start training my puppies the day they come home to help them become good companions. Dogos are not for first time owners nor, in my opinion, for lots of owners. They require a consistency and firmness that many won’t stick with. Lack of proper training, as we know, is where problems can start. Rico knows I’m the alpha but he challenges me much more often than any of my other dogs. Nothing overt…things like not listening when I tell him something just to see if I let him get away with it. Rico was housebroken within 24 hours and has only had one accident inside. Pretty smart little boy. I don’t usually have to tell him something more than once or twice and he know what I’m asking.
Second, Dr. Martinez (hope I got the name right) did an amazing job of breeding in the companion/pet traits that were missing in the Cordoba Fighting dog. He used nine or ten other breeds to get the right mix of traits. Rico is very loving and lovable but I have no doubt that he would protect me and my property. The only problem I have with him is that he thinks he’s a 130 pound lap dog.
I can’t stress enough that Dogos must be able to run at liberty and, ideally, have a play buddy. I have a one acre fenced yard that provides the opportunity for what I call an ‘attitude adjustment.’
Next, I think that anyone who is considering acquiring a Dogo needs to do lots of research on the breed and take their training seriously. Talk to as many knowledgeable folks as possible. My experience is that there are good breeders out there and they love to talk about their dogs. There are also some good bloodlines out there so you can find a pet puppy with a great foundation you can build on.
I’m not an authority on the breed. Just my two cents. I’ve never regretted bringing Rico home. I’ve also tried to invest the time in training he needs and try to always keep in the back of my mind who he is and the traits that were bred into him. For example, I know this dog’s prey drive is very high so I’m not likely to put him into a situation to test it. I raised him with my Coton but I don’t leave them alone so Rico doesn’t decide to go after her. Would he? Maybe and don’t want to find out.My responsibility is to set my dogs up for success in our environment.
“ Dogos are not for first time owners nor, in my opinion, for lots of owners.”
I just need to thank you for being the one person to put that out there. I have been a Dogo owner/trainer for over a decade now and I cannot even begin to count how many Dogos I know of that have ended up being put down by animal control because the owners should have never had this breed in the first place.
They’re awesome dogs and a breed I have truly fallen in love with. I do WISH that everyone could enjoy the Dogo breed but, as you said, and thank you for saying so, THEY ARE NOT A BREED FOR EVERYONE, certainly a new dog owner!!!
Don’t make the dog suffer because you want attention. If that’s the case, do what most do…buy a 2WD truck, throw a 8” lift kit on it, the biggest mudding tires you can find and the heaviest winch possible…even though it will never leave a city street.
I had a Dogo Argentino for 11 years. His name was Mooney. I got him when he was already 11 months old. I bought him as a pit bull, which once completely grown, he clearly was not. He was aggressive with the pets of the former owners and he did not like strangers. I took him and introduced him to the family which he became part of almost immediately once he realized he had a place and a home.
He was very protective of the family and whatever territory he possessed at that moment. I could put him in my pickup and then nobody except family could contact the vehicle. I could put him in your vehicle and then you would be locked out of your own vehicle. He never got used to strangers being in the home although he never bit anybody in the home either. He was not aggressive towards any other animal unless he was attacked by a strange dog. If he was jumped on by an unfamiliar dog he would literally open the gates of hell and to this day, 30 years later I have never witnessed the ferocity in another animal that the Dogo possessed only after being provoked over and over. He actually had a lot of patience. He was the best dog I’ve ever owned. He slept with the cat.
Any dog breed is a good dog if you are a good owner. If you’re an ahole then your dog woll likely be a nad dog too. There is a story about a young woman who had 2 pitbulls that she left with her dad when when she was having money problems and those 2 dogs mauled and killed her. Lesson I got from that is always be armed and uf your dog attacks you then kill it.
Love this article, except one thing. Dogos were NOT need to be fighting dogs. He actually bred the dog to be the prefect family dog and working dog all in the same, and he succeeded. Their temperaments are remarkable! I did extensive research before getting mine and 5yrs later he has never been aggressive unless his or my life has been in danger. He really thinks he’s a lap dog lol. This breed of dog are serial cuddlers!! Although, I do not recommend if you can’t provide them with lots of daily activity. Literally the best family/protection dog breed ever!!
LOL!!!! It’s the Truth. They are a very intelligent breed. I Love the Dogo.
Yes, I wanted to point this out as well! Great job Ariel. There’s actually a note in the second book written by Dr. Martinez’s brother, Agustin Nores, the one that, after the Dr.’s death in a botched burglary, rounded up the handful of Dogo’s that were left. He had been in jail himself, for a crime related to his political standings and the revolution going on. The Dogo’s were almost extinct, his brother murdered, and he couldn’t stand to see what they had sacrificed so much for, cease to exist, and never be fully realized, as the Dr. was still trying to get blood from the Irish Wolfhound. The reason they used all the different breeds was to specifically create a breed of dog, that was as much of a die-hard as the Fighting dog of Cordoba, but for hunting big game, and protection of the sprawling estates in the terrain known to Argentina, which was/is not easy going foothills! The fighting dog of Cordoba would give its life without question, when pitted against other dogs. It showed a great sense of courage that the brothers admired greatly, but they also saw that there was no chance of using that breed to hunt with and as the times were changing, finally the dog fighting rings were being shut down. As this happened, the Fighting dog of Cordoba was becoming extinct and the brothers talked their father into letting them start a breeding kennel, with a vision of what today’s Dogo Argentino is, fueling the work. As I began to say, there’s a note in the second book written by Agustin Nores that asks for the future Dogo Argentino breeders, owners, etc., to please not EVER use this dog for fighting as they had done so much, sacrificed so very much, to create a dog that could pack well with others to hunt. They were never breed with fighting in mind, however, humans being humans, and having the lack of respect and compassion that some do, of course this breed has had the very best of their traits that were specifically created against fighting, used in the most profane, barbaric way of pitting dog against dog until the death in some cases. If you love the Dogo, and you truly know the Dogo, it’s imperative as they become more popular, for us to get the correct information about this breed out there before they are sold, and bought for pets, which they are not! They are great companions for the right people, they are excellent with kids. They, like any breed, need an alpha’s guidance, but they need it more so than let’s say, a pitbull, American bull dog, or Rottweiler. In fact, as I list those breeds, after having Dogo’s now, they seem like labs or retrievers to train! As mentioned above, one of my Dogo is almost 3 and she tests me regularly to see if I’m still in charge. They are unlike any breed I’ve ever encountered and I’ve had experiences with quite a lot of the harder breeds! They are well worth the effort, but it’s a pretty decent amount of effort you can count on putting in… for life. They in return, will lay their own lives down without thought, for you. In my opinion, they are the navy seal of dogs. They are truly in an elite league of their own… Please help to preserve this great historic breed so that we don’t continue to threaten the hard work of the Nores-Martinez family, and many others now, and so we don’t lose the genetic wonder that is, The Dogo Argentino.
My doggo seems to be not aggressive he is 5 months. He is very calme is it ok ?
Dogos tend to change and come into their own at about 2-3 years old Shym. There are many, many, many Dogo, who are not aggressive. It may have something to do with the bloodlines, the amount of socializing your doing, the training you’re putting in, hormones, environment, etc. This could, however change so please stay on top of the training, socializing, and above all the loving you’re giving that Dogo!
We bought a Dogo from a breeder. He was always a little bit nippy and jumped on our young children, mostly my oldest 4 year old son who liked him but had trouble playing with him. He was a big boy, 100 pounds at 9 months old. He bit my oldest son on the arm when he went near his dog treat and we sent him to a trainer for a month. He also did things like steal food from the table, jump on people and hump them, not back down while playing (playing way too aggressively), where we had a shock collar on him, mostly to alarm him, not to shock. But every once in a while I had to take it out because he would not leave me or the kids alone (kept jumping on us, grabbing our legs from behind, knocking the kids over and sitting on them, etc.).
He came back having learned nothing from the trainer (trainer was basically abusing him) and immediately bit my son on the face for trying to get a treat for him out of the cabinet and he needed stitches. We found someone to rehome him with thinking aggression was really with kids after having him neutered. Breeder would not take him. She was a vet tech and behavioral dog therapist. Day 2, our Dogo got aggressive with her and bit her twice. Animal control came to get him and he bit animal control, they had to get stitches too. Animal control labeled him as aggressive and put him down.
I don’t know about other dogos, but I’ve owned 2 French Mastiffs and a German Shepherd before and this is the first dog I’ve had like this. Just highly aggressive, incredible stubborn and dominant. I would never own a Dogo again.
THIS ARTICLE IS A LIE. OUR DOGOS GO TO DOGGIE DAYCARE AND BOADDING AND ARE GREAT WITH CHILDREN.
YES THEIR LARGE WHICH CAN MAKE THEM DANGEROUS. BUT ANY DOG CAN BE A BITTER. COME ON REMOVE CRAP ARTCILE ITS NOT INFORMATIVE.
The problems you list are all social adaptations of a poor trainer/owner I feel sorry for the pooch he suffers because you’re inability to research
We recently rescued an 8 month Dogo mixed with American Staffy & Great Dane.
54% Dogo, 26% Am Staff & 19% Dane…oh didI mention 2% Yorkie? Hahaha! He is now 11 months. He goes to doggy daycare and has a blast! He’s a favorite there. He has dog friends that come over to play and that he walks with. He is generally a lover and his demeanor seems sweet, BUT he is hard headed, often nippy (mouthy) and barky, sometimes a bit snarly (not actually growly) I took him to a private one on one training session and we are of the mindset that he is still being “puppyish” in much of his behavior. I can tell he is protective of the family and his territory by the time of his bark. We had no idea a DOGO was a breed. He was labeled a Great Dane Mix on his rescue bio. I want to believe he will be lovely, but I am stuck on the phrase “aggressive tendencies.” I owned a Dalmatian for 10 years who was a Ajman aggressive and I don’t see that in Ozzy. I think I am more concerned about people/strangers. I truly believe all dogs are good and it’s bad owners, trainers, environment, etc. But I welcome any helpful tips, honest opinions, etc about this breed. Thanks!