Dogo Argentino: characteristics, behavior and care

• Height at the cross: from 60 to 65 cm
• Weight: from 40 to 45 kg
• Cap: white
• Average life: twelve years
• Character: vigilant and loyal
• Relationship with children: good
• Relationship with other dogs: tends to be dominant

• Aptitudes: guard, defense and big game
• Space needs: yard
• Feeding the Argentine Bulldog: about 650 g. of complete dry food
• Arrangement: null
• Maintenance cost: high

A super dog

First and foremost, the Argentine Dogo He is a hunter of big game pieces that is able to track the prey through forests, dense meadows and shrubs. But a look at this beautiful white dog tells him that it is not an ordinary hunting dog. The exuberant musculature and its powerful structure give the Argentine Dogo not only great strength, but also extraordinary agility, speed and endurance. Given the size of this breed (about 40-45 kg when fully grown), the agility of the Argentine Dogo It is a fantastic show that you will not like to miss, as this breed is pleased to show off their athletic ability.

The speed of Argentine Dogo It is also impressive. Like a great sprinter, this dog is able to reach great speed in a moment, and seems to reach its speed point after taking a few steps. The Argentine Dogo It also reminds a thoroughbred horse of races, since it can run with great resistance and at a fast and steady pace.

The Argentine Dogo He barely has competence in bravery, tenacity and intelligence. Once you have set your sights on something, it is impossible to prevent this dog from achieving its goal. No rough terrain, bad weather or obstacle will cause you to leave. Sometimes this resolution can be dangerous, since the Argentine Dogo He rarely admits that he feels pain and is more than eager to fight to the death if necessary.

If the mentioned features are not enough to convince you of the versatility and athletic ability of the Argentine Dogo, keep in mind that this breed has known success not only in hunting but also in obedience tests, military and police work, Schutzhund and search and rescue, as well as being used as a guide dog.

Argentine Bulldog History

The Argentine Dogo is one of the two dog breeds of Argentina that still exist. We know exactly how and why this breed was created, since when this work was undertaken, a record of the races used and their purpose was left.

Early 20th century a hunting dog was needed in Argentina that could bring down some of the largest common prey in the country, such as wild boar or puma. A big and strong dog was needed, but he must also be brave and tenacious.

Thus, a careful mixture of races was made: the Cordovan fighting dog was used, (now extinct) to give it a big and strong body, the Spanish Alano and the Spanish Mastiff, to give hunting and protection instinct, in addition to greater physical strength.

Likewise, Later, crosses with Bull Terrier and Pyrenean Mastiff were introduced: other races characterized by having a powerful jaw and a strong hunting instinct for large prey. During the first generations it was shown that they were unbeatable in fights with other dogs. Fortunately, shortly after these practices were banned and went on to devote himself solely to hunting.

To improve their smell, some crosses with pointers were introduced. In just one generation they had already formed a new breed that fulfilled all the requirements that were requested. Towards the end of the 1940s it was established and it was decided to continue this race as we know it today.

Temperament, training and exercise

The Argentine Dogo He has a strong temper, great intelligence and, like most dogs, works very hard to please his master. This makes the breed ideal for obedience training in addition to training for practical uses, such as homework or farm work. However, there are a few elements that must be taken into account when conducting a training program.

In the first place, do not be fooled by the cold, hard and intimidating look characteristic of the breed, since you never wanted this look to be directed at people. Quite the contrary, the Argentine Dogo It is a very sensitive breed that does not react well to severe treatment by its master. Physical punishment, apart from the typical pull of the choke collar, is unnecessary and not recommended. These dogs are very receptive to positive reinforcement during their training and learn very quickly if they are handled in this way. Use friendly and constant corrections along with a severe tone of voice when necessary, and you'll notice rapid progress.

As the Argentine Dogo He is very intelligent, easily bored with repetition and seemingly useless tasks. To combat this, make the obedience sessions last a short time (no more than fifteen minutes) and teach the dog the maximum possible tasks. Try to include as many entertainment as possible (for example, to catch and bring a ball or games with flying discs) among worldly tasks. Your dog will notice how well you are having and he will react, reciprocally, with the same enthusiasm.

Ideally, the Argentine Dogo have plenty of outdoor space to run and walk in your domains. If this is not the case, you should take the dog to an outdoor area at least once or twice a week. Due to his innate instinct for hunting, do not let him loose through the field. You may find a dam and may never come back. Instead, buy a long leash, such as those used in tracing tests (about 30 m in length) and get in good shape to run with your dog.

Argentine Bulldog Behavior

The Argentine Bulldog is a fierce and brave hunter. Do not hesitate to confront and fight with dams as big and strong as wild boars. He is tenacious and will chase his prey for the time and distance it takes, waiting for the best time to attack.

However, and it is something that has been taken care of since the first generations of Dogo Argentino, They are extremely gentle and friendly to humans. They are affectionate and are great family dogs, protectors of their members and their home.

They are silent dogs that do not usually bark, and calm despite their physical strength. The Argentine Bulldog does not need to do more daily exercise than three quality walks, although from time to time he will be happy to take long walks in the mountains that allow him to follow trails and walk at ease.

Since part of their genetics is due to mastiffs, they are sociable and affectionate dogs with other animals, both domestic and farm. In general, they also get along well with other dogs, although they can be scared by their determined expression and physical strength during games.

The Argentine Dogo at home

The Argentine Dogo It is a friendly race with people and that establishes a strong and lasting bond with their master and family. The Nores brothers worked very carefully to introduce this trait in the race and, today, the results are clearly highlighted.

Talk to any owner of a Argentine Dogo and he will hear the same things: «He does not lie beside my feet but on my feet», «He cries when we are in another room», «He wants me to caress and hug him constantly», «It is my shadow, I cannot go to nowhere without me following ». Of course the Argentine Dogo expect human contact, both physical and emotional. Although this breed feels very close to its owners, it rarely suffers from separation anxiety. This dog is an ideal pet to have with children, as it will tolerate being pulled by the tail, to get on top of it, pinching, pushing or anything else without even giving a growl. In fact, it would almost seem as if he was enjoying the jokes that children spend. Make no mistake, he Argentine Dogo He doesn't enjoy any kind of cruel treatment. Children should be taught the proper way to treat any dog, especially one as strong as the dog. Argentine Dogo.

Having had a few Argentine Bulldogs and having seen many others, it seems unlikely that race is not allowed in Britain because of its "questionable temperament." Quite the contrary, this breed may be the most docile, respectful and affable that the author has encountered. Unfortunately, the harmful laws specific to certain breeds have banned many breeds of fantastic companion dogs in certain countries. This author laments that the ignorant "canine authorities" described the Argentine Dogo as "a giant Pit Bull." I have nothing bad to say about this breed, since many of these dogs are spotless companions, but it is sad that this stigma is applied to this wonderful Argentine dog.

There are people who will tell you that the Argentine Dogo He is a great guard dog, since he is very strong, very alert and has an aggressive instinct. This theory is, in large part, quite weak. Yes, it is true that they are very alert and that they will investigate, due to their curiosity, any unusual noise or smell that you notice in the area where you are. It should also be understood that he was not raised Argentine Dogo to be a night watchman, but a hunter. With his hunter instinct, his super dog is unlikely to feel happy watching his home as the main or only task. He is a hunter and lives for hunting. By this we do not mean that it is not a guard dog, in fact, due to the strong emotional bond of the Argentine Dogo With your family, you will act quickly when you feel that someone or something can harm your master and / or those you love.

The Argentine Dogo It is not a dog that can be left alone in the garden or in a kennel. They gravitate around human warmth and prefer to be in their company. You will find that although he needs to be close to you, he does not necessarily need caresses and constant attention. He will be very happy lying on the floor next to (although rather on) his feet and not being a hindrance.

Maybe the Bulldog It becomes a nuisance when you leave it alone, since it is a very active dog that gets bored easily. Accept this advice from the author, who has observed with his own eyes some dire consequences of letting the dog entertain himself on his own in the garden for a few hours. One of the times I went back to find that the dog had made a "stick" to play, in fact, the "stick" was a plank of almost two meters that had torn from the back facade of the house. On another occasion I returned from the purchase to find that a two-meter section of the aluminum drainpipe was running down the side facade of my house. A few seconds later I saw my beautiful Argentine Dogo with the tube, which prevented him from passing through a narrow fence, between his teeth. Again I caught him ripping the bark off the base of an old oak. As if the fear of eating my house was no longer a problem, I found that my very grown puppy was digging holes the size of lunar craters when he got bored of biting the boards. At first I found that these activities distressed me, I was worried about what might be happening to my dog, until I talked with other owners of Argentine Bulldogs They had almost identical stories to tell. Have you learned the lesson? Keep your Argentine Dogo busy, take care of him and take him with you whenever possible.

In addition to establishing links from Argentine Dogo With man, it is also important to appreciate that this dog is an animal of a single family. Once you establish ties with a family, you will not react very well to changes in this regard. If you are separated from your family and you are staying with another owner, you will suffer from great anxiety and depression. Although it will survive such a change, it is doubted that the animal experiences great joy and may show symptoms of stress.

With all this in mind, it makes sense to bring a Argentine Dogo to a home full of love whose intention is to take care of him throughout his life. This breed will get along with all people in the family and does not have a special preference for any particular member, in fact, the opposite is likely to happen. The dog will quickly know the personalities and behavior of each family member and will act accordingly, for example, he will learn that he can take advantage of children with a good heart begging for food, and even then, he will never bother to ask for it to the severe head of family.

Since we have touched on the issue of children, we must socialize Argentine Dogo with them from an early age. Despite the great size and strength of this breed, it is the Argentine Dogo, and not children, the most vulnerable to injuries. The dog is smart enough to realize that a child is very fragile, helpless and often does things without thinking. In response, he will be very careful with the child and will show enormous tolerance. The child may have a tendency to take advantage of this and do things to the dog that should not be done.

A clear example of what will be found frequently is a child trying to get on top of the dog and ride on it, as if it were a horse. For the child, unconscious, it is a normal assumption (after all, a little person of less than one meter, the robust and huge Argentine Dogo it may seem like a horse). However, these practices should be terminated immediately and by all means. Although it is a race with a broad chest and strong limbs, it was never designed to be mounted on top of it. The child should be taught soon that the dog can end up seriously injured due to such actions, since it is quite unlikely that the animal will defend itself.

By nature, the breed will show an unlimited patience with ignorant children, due in part to their need for human attention and even more so because of their high tolerance for pain. I've seen children trying to ride, sit and lie on top of a Argentine Dogo, stretch his tail or ears, stack objects on his body, puncture him with various blunt and sharp objects and put things in his eyes, ears, mouth, etc. Despite all this, the dog never complains or growls. Instead, tolerate abuse and take a look as if saying "Can you believe it?" We reiterate that this patience is a characteristic of the breed and, therefore, it is necessary to monitor children and teach them how they should play with the dog.

This tolerance is not always shown with other animals, although this depends on the training and what the Argentine Dogo daily. This breed must be socialized with other pets at an early age to avoid any possible aggression towards the cat or rabbit that we have as a pet. A Argentine Dogo Being trained and used regularly in hunting expeditions will certainly show greater aggression towards other animals. Due to their innate instinct for hunting, even those who have never seen a wild boar or have not participated in a montería, will sniff and hunt rabbits and rodents that they encounter during an outdoor excursion. This does not mean, in any way, that the Argentine Dogo Be it a dangerous or aggressive breed, rather the opposite, one of the main objectives (that has been achieved) of this breed is to get along with the other dogs that form a hunting pack.

The Argentine Dogo He is a self-confident and confident dog that does not seek confrontation to end his insecurities. At the same time, it will rarely cause a fight but, if it is instigated, keep in mind that it will defend itself. Generally, it is not a major concern. We have taken many times to our Argentine Bulldogs to parks, the beach and other places where there are dogs and we have never had problems. Even quarrelsome dogs that growl or bark do not bother our super dog: he ignores them with total coldness and disinterest. It is above the challenge. Regardless of your confidence in him, always have him bound by his leash, for the safety of the breed against fearful and ignorant types.

Due to the links of Argentine Dogo With your master and your family, you can count on the protection of the dog if they encounter an attack or other problems. With his strength, tenacity and intelligence, he is a competent guardian who will run to protect you regardless of your own well-being. You can feel safe taking you for a walk on a lonely street in the middle of the night.

Care of the Argentine Bulldog

Most of the care of the Argentine Bulldog is dedicated to their education and mental well-being: as a dog considered PPP, many people are afraid of him and behaves in a special way with him when they cross him on the street.

A normal positive education is more than enough to teach this dog social norms necessary to live among humans. However, fear of owners or their relatives often leads them to use training collars or other harmful methods that can cause behavioral problems.

In terms of health, due to their size they are usually prone to hip dysplasia. In addition, and As with other white breeds, they have a tendency to be deaf. It has also been observed that they have a delicate skin tending to develop problems.

These and other health issues should be reviewed and evaluated by a veterinarian. The Argentine Bulldog is a dog with a very high pain threshold that can easily hide his discomfort: It is necessary to do health check-ups often to make sure you are completely healthy.

This dog was born as a hunting and fighting breed, but his affectionate and loyal character has led him to be a homemade and sociable dog who lives without problems in urban environments. Do not be fooled by that rough aspect: they are sweet and friendly dogs.

Inherent diseases

As with any other large breed, the Argentine Dogo He is susceptible to hip dysplasia (DC). When you buy it, be sure to get a certificate from the breeder as your hips are healthy. If you intend to have him raised, it is convenient to obtain an x-ray of his hips and that the results be sent to a recognized organization for their evaluation. Be sure to submit the dog to these tests and get approval before starting a breeding program. This degenerative joint disease can be diagnosed in puppies four or more months old. This is very important so that breeders get rid of DC in their lines. In the case of younger puppies, breeders should provide buyers with the results of the father and mother's diagnostic tests.

Another congenital problem that must be taken into account is deafness. Most white-coat breeds, which include the Argentine Dogo, seem to have a high incidence of this evil. A dog can be deaf in one ear (unilateral deaf) or both (bilateral deaf). The only recognized auditory examination is that of the Auditory Response Evoked by the Brain Stem (RAETC), which is usually carried out in puppies of eight or more weeks of life. Responsible breeders should provide the results of the RAETC test to all owners of a Argentine Dogo.

Although there seems to be no inherent eye problems among this breed, if you plan to have your dog raised, be sure to undergo tests to rule out congenital eye problems (such as cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy and glaucoma). Be sure to contact a board-approved veterinary ophthalmologist who can issue a certificate that can be registered with an organization for qualification.

If you want to know more about the Argentine Dogo We recommend the publication of the publishing house Hispano Europea Dogo Argentino Excellence Series:

Origin of the Argentine Bulldog breed

The Argentine Bulldog It is the result of a thorough combination of up to 10 races! How is it that many races? All these races were crossed with the objective of get a strong, docile and easily trainable dog. That is why for decades it has been used as a hunting, tracking and rescue dog and has even performed tasks in the military field. Also, unfortunately, It is also often used in cruel dog fights, already banned in many countries.

Characteristics of the Argentine Bulldog breed

As we said before, It is a large animal with a firm and strong complexion. It has short white fur, often has black spots, especially on the muzzle and ears.

As for temperament, it is a very affectionate, faithful and affectionate dog. In addition, very docile, which facilitates their education and training. Do not forget to take him out to play sports! And is that the breed of Argentine bulldog very activeYou will want to go for a good walk several times a day and get tired playing! This training should be constant and start since the dog is a puppy, otherwise it could channel all its energy into being destructive, nervous and even aggressive. So make sure you can spend all the time you need to let go of all your energy and craving for activity.

If you are given all the activity you need, Living with the bulldog will be very simple!: He will be calm and docile, obedient and very intelligent. It can be adapted to all types of homes, even small ones if the street is taken out a lot. The Argentine bulldog breed is very affectionate with people! with both children and adults, although he can be distrustful of strangers ... But he is not usually aggressive! As for relationships with another dog, you'll notice that the bulldog can behave somewhat dominant, but not for that reason it will stop socializing. He doesn't like to get bored!

And if you have children, don't worry! It can be a bit big, so it might be advisable to buy it from a puppy if you are going to live with children. So they will grow at the same time and have a great time playing together! Remember that he is meek and docile, the key to his education is in constant training, so do not fear for his relationship with the kids.

(Photo via, pinterest)

Text: Ruth López Fern ndez (veterinarian and doguera).

First of all, we must observe that the Bulldog is an animal that, as an adult, reaches an average weight of about 45 kilos, even more recently. Our puppy should grow slowly (it is advisable to reach its final weight within two years), and therefore we must choose a high-end feed reinforced with chondroprotectors, in this way we will reduce the risk of elbow or hip dysplasia. Dysplasia is a multifactorial disease and one of these factors that predispose it is food (in addition to the genetic component, exercise or where they grow). A poor diet, calcium supplementation or a feed that makes our dog grow too fast will make your joints not nourish properly, leading to premature joint degeneration or bone growth greater than the ability of the body to nourish it, causing panosteitis, among other growth problems.

The Argentine Bulldog, like the Rotweiller, the American Pit Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Terrier, the English Bulldog. It presents a greater risk of rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament due to the conformation of its posterior extremities and the genetic component of the disease, which would be advisable that, before letting it run freely through the field, the dog You have spent at least five minutes walking (enough time to warm up the muscles that hold the joints).

Although there are no published studies in this regard, it has been seen that the Argentine Bulldog is very sensitive to diseases such as Leishmaniosis or digestive viral diseases. Without becoming very technical, it must be said that the individual response to diseases depends on innate or acquired immunity and, in the case of Leishmaniasis, depends on cellular-type immunity against humoral, the Bulldog has difficulty in develop that cellular immunity, so, if inoculated with Leishmania, your immune system has a hard time fighting against it. Therefore, we must place special emphasis on prevention and prophylaxis against these types of diseases.

And for me, the weak point of the Bulldog is undoubtedly its white skin. If the bulldog had white hair but dark skin (as is the case with the West Highland White Terrier), our life would be much easier and happier. It has been shown that deafness is linked to a gene that causes the lack of pigmentation in the inner ear, the same that makes the skin of the Bulldog white (not to be confused, the bulldog is non-albino white) . This white skin makes the Bulldog prone to developing viral, bacterial and fungal dermatitis (we don't deprive ourselves of anything) and, most importantly, makes the sun its great enemy. The Dogos love to spend dead hours lying in the sun and only get up to change sides, for this reason they are firm candidates to develop squamous cell carcinoma. In principle, this carcinoma is a benign tumor, but we must do everything in our power to avoid it. In the summer months we must try that our dog is not exposed during the hours of intense sun and, if it is, try to protect the areas without hair (abdomen, armpits and English) by applying sunscreen. In short, our great white hunter has, like Achilles, his own heel, and we must fight to protect him.

Necessary care of the Argentine bulldog breed

The bulldog is usually a healthy, strong and resilient dog. Usually enjoy good health It is not usual for them to suffer serious illnesses! But yes should keep an eye on possible physical problems, more typical of its size than of the race itself:

For this, you have to be aware of your diet, since you tend to be overweight and don't put aside physical activity, you need it every day!

As well There have been cases of specimens of the Argentine bulldog breed that suffer from deafness!

It is a race that has quite sensitive skin, which added to the short fur, leave a little "naked" in the sun. This can cause you to suffer burns. Watch your exposure to the intense sun! Remember that you will play and run a lot during the walks, so check that you do not take ticks or other parasites. Also, occasionally, It is advisable to brush your fur so that it releases dirt and dead hairs. It doesn't have to be very often, as with long-haired dogs, but don't forget it either! A couple of times a month will be enough.

Also, like any other dog, You need good hygiene in the eyes, mouth and ears.

If you are an active person, affectionate but at the same time firm with dogs, the bulldog is ideal for you. You will be nail and flesh!

Fact sheet of the Dogo Argentino dog breed

How is the character of an Argentine Dogo dog?

The Argentine Dogo has many qualities that make it stand out, it is a great guardian dog, brave, attentive and gifted in addition to a great intelligence which allows you to distinguish situations in which you must act and those that do not.

However, sometimes his stubbornness can blind him (metaphorically speaking). When the Argentine Dogo becomes obsessed with something, it is very difficult to make him change his mind and much less stop him, due to his great physical strength and his ability to resist pain, genetic inheritance of his time as a fighting dog.

It is not a dangerous or ungovernable dog, it is simply a bit stubborn and needs an intense education.

He is loyal and protective with his family, although with young children we must be careful because, due to their strength and size, they could hurt them without wanting to.

How to socialize our dog Dogo Argentino

The Argentine Bulldog is not an aggressive dog (attacks on humans or other dogs are very rare) but socialization at an early age it is essential.

It is best to accustom you to the presence of our friends and family from a puppy, with the aim of gradually becoming accustomed to strangers and that in the future do not react badly in these situations.

We must do the same with other dogs and animals, accustom it from puppy to play and live with them daily to socialize correctly.

How is the health of a dog breed Dogo Argentino?

The Argentine Doge needs to live in a house where there is a large patio or a garden with enough space for it to play and exercise. It is not a breed of dog suitable for living ina small house.

To stay healthy and in good physical condition you need a good daily dose of daily exercise, so we will have to go for a walk at least three times a day (walks of not less than an hour).

Although in general its health is very good, some specimens are prone to suffer deafness. We must also lend attention to your weight, since it is a great glutton and you can easily acquire a few extra pounds, little recommended for your joints.

History of the Dogo Argentino breed

This breed was created more than a hundred years ago by the doctor A rgentino Antonio Nores Martà nez with the idea of ​​getting the perfect hunting dog for the species that then abounded in Argentina, such as wild boars, peccaries and red foxes.

Although unfortunately it was also used for many years in other less noble activities such as dog fighting.

Hoy en día sigue siendo muy valorado como perro de caza, destacando por encima de otr a s razas de gran tamaño dado que, a pesar de su peso y su volumen, es muy ágil, rápido y resistente.