Dogo Argentino Temperament, Personality, Behavior, Traits, and Characteristics,
by Michele Welton. Powerful, yet possessed of an almost feline grace, the Dogo Argentino is fearless yet sensitive;
vivacious outdoors yet calm indoors.
This impressive dog is best owned by active people who will develop his athletic abilities. He must have plenty of physical exercise to maintain his superb muscle structure and plenty of mental exercise to satisfy his desire to work and hunt.
Despite his intimidating appearance, the Argentine Dogo is usually friendly, yet is also a vigilant guardian with a thunderous bark. Early socialization is an absolute requirement to build the stable, discriminating temperament this breed is known for.
Though tough to the core, Argentine Dogos love to be petted. They crave close physical contact, leaning against you and lying on your feet.
With his dog-fighting ancestry, dog aggression can be a problem. The Dogo Argentino should be thoroughly socialized with other dogs from an early age. He should not be kept with another dog of the same sex.
With his strong prey drive, Argentine Dogos should not be kept with cats, either, unless raised with them.
Strong-willed and independent, but also highly intelligent, the Argentine Dogo will respect an owner who is equally confident and consistent. Because of his hound heritage, the Dogo is constantly intrigued by the exciting smells around him, so you must work to keep his attention during training sessions.
If you want a dog who...
- Is a large, muscular, mastiff-type dog
- Has a short, easy-care, white coat
- Thrives on vigorous exercise and athletic activities
- Looks imposing, so makes an effective deterrent, yet is usually non-aggressive with people
- Carries himself with a steady, dignified, impressive presence
An Argentine Dogo may be right for you.
If you don't want to deal with...
- A large dog who wants to sit on your feet and lean his weight against your leg
- Vigorous exercise requirements
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Aggression or fearfulness in some lines, or when not socialized enough
- Aggression toward other animals
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Slobbering or drooling
Then an Argentine Dogo may not be right for you.
More traits and characteristics of the Argentine Dogo
If I was considering a Dogo Argentino, I would be most concerned about...
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Argentine Dogos MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Dogos can make a shambles of your house and yard.
- Providing enough socialization. Most Argentine Dogos have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, which could lead to biting. Some Dogos go in the opposite direction -- without enough socialization, they become fearful of strangers, which can lead to defensive biting.
- Animal aggression. The Dogo Argentino was developed to hunt other animals. Most Dogos are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. Many have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals.
- The strong temperament. Argentine Dogos are not Golden Retrievers. The best Dogos are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Some Dogos are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Slobbering. Some Dogos, especially those with loose jowls, tend to slobber or drool, especially after eating and drinking.
- Legal liabilities. Because they vaguely resemble pit bulls, Argentine Dogos may be targeted for "banning" in certain areas, or refusal of homeowner insurance policies. Your friends and neighbors may be uncomfortable around this breed. In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guard dog should be seriously considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable.
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