Raising a Dogo Argentino Puppy
A Helpful Guide To The Basics

by Ken Alden

Developed in Argentina for big-game hunting, the Dogo Argentino is a muscular and loyal breed of dog.

Raising A Dogo Argentino Puppy Basics...

Raising a Dogo Argentino puppy is similar to raising other puppies. They are intelligent and curious, and as a puppy, will require a lot of care, attention and proper socialization. Your Dogo will need a balanced diet along with plenty of exercise. Luckily they require little grooming and only have few health problems. 

In this article, we will explore the temperate and personality traits of the Dogo Argentino, in addition to things to consider to help your puppy become the best companion possible. Read More Below...

Pro-tip: Ever try lifting a Dogo Argentino? Their weight can hurt not only your back but their joints when they hop down from cars, sofas or even your bed. To protect your back and theirs check out the best Mastiff ramps on Amazon.com now.

What Is a Dogo Argentino?

Also known as an Argentinian Mastiff, the Dogo is a big breed of dog that some may find intimidating. 

The breed developer was looking for a strong, athletic dog that could fight and hold its own but also be loyal to his master. It is believed that Antonio Nores Martinez crossed the Great Dane, English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Spanish Mastiff, Pointer, Irish Wolfhound, and the Dogue de Bordeaux to create the Dogo Argentino. 

Most will have a white, short coat, sometimes with a black spot on their head, and can be anywhere from 40-45 kilograms (88-99 pounds). 

Dogo Argentino Personality Traits

Unfortunately, due to how similar the Dogo looks to a Pitbull, they are often thought of as aggressive and dangerous. However, they are actually quite happy and loving dogs who are loyal and playful. 

Some key character traits include: 

• Loyal - The Dogo often develops a deep bond with their owner and are loving family pets.
• Protective - Due to their loyalty, this breed is quite protective of their family, making them great guard dogs. However, it can be an issue around strangers if the dog hasn’t been properly socialized or trained. 
• Stubborn - Dogo’s are often quite independent and do better with a strong authority figure. They are best suited for knowledgeable dog owners rather than first-timers. 
• Loving - As with their misunderstood cousin, the Pitbull, this breed is very loving and will be happy to snuggle on the couch.
• Intelligent - The Dogo picks up on training very well. However, due to their stubbornness, you should give them lots of breaks and use positive reinforcement.
• Territorial - Considering their history as hunting dogs, you might find your dog chasing cats from your yard. They can also be suspicious of new people. 
• Aggressive - As with most dogs, aggression is generally the cause of poor treatment or a lack of socialization and training. Their naturally aggressive nature can be curbed through obedience training and ensuring socialization from a very young age. 
• Sensitive - Though strong and well-build, the Dogo can be sensitive to how you treat them. They will do better will positive reinforcement over scolding for bad behavior. 
• Energetic - This is not the kind of breed to get if you plan on leaving it alone for hours on end. They require a lot of regular exercise and mental stimulation.
  

Dogo Argentino Puppy Care

The Dogo Argentino is a great family pet. They are loyal and gentle around children, and when properly trained, can be lovable and friendly with everyone. However, there are some things to keep in mind before committing to a new puppy. 

The Dogo will grow to be a strong-willed, stubborn, and independent dog. People who are not familiar with managing a large dog are not advised to get a Dogo. They require constant and diligent training and a strong pack leader to curb any inherited aggressive behaviors.
 

First Few Weeks

Preparing your home for a new puppy is the first step and should be done before bringing your puppy home. This will include getting food and toys, a bed, pee pads, and possibly a crate. 

• Assess your home and garden for anything that could be harmful, chewed, or swallowed. 
• Ensure there are no escape holes in the fencing and be prepared to spend most of your time with your new puppy.
• A general rule: if your puppy is not 100% trained, it should be 100% supervised. 
• It can be stressful for a new puppy to be taken away from its mother, so you will need to be there to help it settle in.
• Before your puppy has finished with vaccinations, do not let them interact with other dogs. 
• Slowly introduce your new puppy to family and friends in small controlled groups, so you don’t overwhelm them. 
• Be careful not to allow mouthing when you play, as this can be difficult to unlearn as they grow. 
• Your puppy will need lots of sleep.
• Start potty training right away, being patient and consistent.

Feeding

Strive to keep your puppy on the same food as the breeder. This will help to prevent any stomach problems and aversions to certain foods. 

Training and potty training can be tough if your puppy cannot hold its business long enough to get outside.

Most dog food brands will have puppy food, along with different bags as your puppy grows. For the Dogo, you should look for food with high meat content as they need lots of protein.

As a general guide, you should be feeding your puppy four times a day when under four months old. That will drop to three meals until they reach six months. From then, they will only need to be fed twice a day.

Learn more about Dogo Argentino feeding and scheduling from our page here.

Pro-tip: Dogo's (and their owners) love dog crates…and for good reasons. Crates keep dogs from mischief while you're away, are perfect for house training, for traveling by car, and provide the dog a place to de-stress. Check out the best Mastiff crates on Amazon.com now.

Crate Training

For dogs that tend to chew when bored or left alone, crate training can be an excellent way to ensure your puppy stays safe when you’re not home. It can also help with potty training as puppies don’t like to go to the bathroom where they sleep. 

Most crates come with adjustable sections that will grow along with your puppy. Ultimately, it needs to be big enough for your dog to stand in when fully grown. 

Be sure to encourage their crate training with treats. You want them to want to go into their ‘den’ to make it a more pleasant experience. 

This page of ours makes crate training your Dogo easy.

Socialization

Properly socializing all puppies is extremely important. However, with a larger and sometimes stubborn and aggressive breed, it is vital. 

Not only does it build your puppy’s confidence in strangers, other animals, and loud noises, it helps to develop the right behavioral responses. For example, only from playing with and ‘being told off’ by other puppies will your puppy learn what is and isn’t acceptable play.

Puppies that are not socialized can be nervous, aggressive and often do not play well with other dogs. They can be leash reactive and territorial, and it can make having people come over quite difficult. 

As soon as they have all their vaccines, you should introduce your puppy to new people, new places and help to desensitize them to the unknown. 

For large breed dogs, the benefits of socialization can’t be overstated. It will make yours and their lives far easier. 

Our page here offers some creative socialization tips that make this task fun.

Puppy Training

Along with ample socialization, your Dogo Argentino will need proper and consistent training. 

• Reward-based systems are by far more effective when training any dog. Your Dogo will respond much better to a firm hand and positive reinforcement. 
• Given their ultimate size, having your Dogo be obedient is very important. They are a powerful breed, and you need to know that you have control over them.
• Leash training is key, as you can never be 100% sure your dog won’t react poorly to another dog or loud noise, especially for the Dogo, which is a hunting dog by nature and can be suspicious of strangers. 

Raising A Dogo Argentino Puppy...Final Thoughts

For first-time dog owners, the Dogo Argentino might be too much. They are stubborn and require a firm authority figure to ensure they are trained correctly. Being such big, powerful dogs, they need an owner who can handle their size and work with them to socialize properly and work toward obedience.

But if you are willing to put in the work, the Dogo is a loving and loyal family pet. With the right food, crate training, and lots of love and attention, you will have a wonderful companion. 

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I’m Ken Alden. This website
is a labor of love from years of research and personal experiences with Mastiffs.

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