Argentine Dogo

Working Group Large (50-100 lbs)
Height 24-27"
Weight 80-100 lbs
Lifespan 9-15 years
Price $1,500-$4,000

About the Argentine Dogo

A Dogo Argentino is a big-game hunting dog wrapped in a white, short-coated and deceptively affectionate package. With its own family the breed is warm, playful and physically demonstrative, often convinced it should be touching someone at all times, and well-bred individuals are notably tolerant of the children in their household. The other half of the picture is a dog built to hold wild boar, with corresponding courage, pain tolerance and strength, which translates into serious requirements: early and continuous socialisation, firm consistent training, and honest management of prey drive and dog-to-dog tolerance, which narrows in many individuals after maturity. Exercise needs run high. Long walks, running, swimming, weight pull or structured sport work all suit, and an under-exercised Dogo becomes destructive on an impressive scale. Trainability is good with the right handler, since these dogs are intelligent and genuinely want to work alongside their people, but they are stubborn, slow to mature and unresponsive to harshness. Grooming is trivial, a short white coat brushed weekly, though white pigmentation brings sun sensitivity and the breed handles cold poorly. Barking is moderate and meaningful. Long isolation goes badly. Experienced owners with space and time fit best, and ownership is legally restricted in several countries. Distinctively, this is a purpose-built pack hunting dog created within living memory rather than an ancient landrace.

Temperament

Affectionate Great with Kids Protective Easy to Train Highly Intelligent
Affection Level
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
Playfulness
Protectiveness
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Intelligence
Adaptability

Physical Characteristics

Size Category Large (50-100 lbs)
Height 24-27"
Weight 80-100 lbs
Coat Type Smooth
Coat Length Short
Colors
Hypoallergenic No

Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

High (60-90 min/day)

60 minutes per day recommended

Grooming

Moderate - Weekly

Shedding:

Mental Stimulation

Needs plenty of mental challenges

Drooling

Living Conditions

Apartment Friendly
Good for First-Time Owners
Tolerates Being Alone
Cold Weather Tolerance
Hot Weather Tolerance

Cost of Ownership

Purchase Price $1,500-$4,000
Annual Cost $1,600/year

Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.

Health Considerations

Like all breeds, Argentine Dogos may be prone to certain health conditions:

Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.

Best For

  • Families with Children
  • Active Owners
  • Guard Dog

May Not Be Ideal For

  • Apartment Living
  • First-Time Owners
  • Long Work Hours Away

Guides for your Argentine Dogo

The story behind the Argentine Dogo

Argentine physician Antonio Nores Martinez created this breed in Cordoba province beginning in the 1920s, aiming at a large, brave, cooperative hunting dog able to pursue wild boar and puma in packs across rough Argentine country. He started from the old fighting dog of Cordoba and added a documented list of European breeds, drawing on mastiff, bulldog, pointer, boxer, great dane, bull terrier and Irish wolfhound blood among others, selecting for a uniform white coat, athletic build and dependable temperament with people while removing the dog aggression of the foundation stock. A standard was published in the 1920s, Argentine and later FCI recognition followed through the twentieth century, and AKC acceptance arrived much later. The breed is still hunted in South America and serves elsewhere as a moderately uncommon guardian and companion.

Originally bred for: Hunting, Big game hunting, Guarding. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Argentine Dogo

A large athletic hunting breed does best raised on large-breed puppy food to slow skeletal growth, then maintained on a quality adult diet with solid protein for heavy muscle. Working individuals need greater energy density, while pets need portion discipline since idle Dogos gain steadily.

Watch for: White-coated breeds are frequently reported to show reactions through the skin, since itching, redness and ear inflammation are more visible against pale pigment. Deep-chested build also argues for calm divided meals. Any elimination trial or dietary change should be planned with a veterinarian.

Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Argentine Dogo

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.

Compare Argentine Dogo with Other Breeds

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