It can be tricky to determine which one is a Dogo Argentino and the American Bulldog. Both breeds are a bit alike in several physical features, but diving through their personality and needs are keys to realizing that they’re more different than alike.
They are great family companions only when they end up in homes that can cater to their needs and understand where they come from. That’s how you achieve a mutually safe and stress-free home for your kids and pets.
So, learn what you’re about to sign up for by learning the Dogo Argentino and the American Bulldog’s profiles through this post.
Breed Origins
Dogo Argentino
One of the well-known descendants of the now-extinct Fighting Dog of Cordoba is the Dogo Argentino from Argentina. There have also been various lines from different breeds used to develop the Dogo further, and these are the following:
- Boxer.
- Pointer.
- Mastiff.
- Bull Terrier.
- Great Dane.
- English Bulldog.
- Irish Wolfhound.
- Dogue de Bordeaux.
- The Great Pyrenees.
The aim set by Dr. Antonio Nores Martinez is to create a new canine breed that has superb abilities in hunting, tracking scents, and holding down prey. They have to be fierce but capable of becoming pack animals.
After the Dogo came about, the breed standards were crafted around 1928. Several clubs and organizations, later on, have gradually accepted the Dogo as an official breed, with the AKC making it official in 2020.
American Bulldog
Thought to be a descendant of the Old English Bulldog, the American Bulldog has been around since the 17th century, brought about by immigrant settlers from England to the American South.
The hunting skills of the American Bulldog proved efficient to hunters as these canines functioned as feral pig catchers. But their skills weren’t limited to that. American Bulldogs also helped control the cattle and provided a sense of security to the family.
This breed also has a history of bear and bull-baiting, but this waned when this was outlawed. During WWII, when the breed became almost extinct, John D. Johnson tried revitalizing their numbers.
Size, Appearance, & Coloring
Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino is not a Pitbull. Instead, they’re Mastiffs with broad chests, muscular shoulders, and a solid build. They have a wide muzzle, small eyes, and cropped ears for some, but one identifying trait they have is their pure white coat with hints of pigmentation in some areas.
There’s also a black “pirate” patch in one of their eyes; this shouldn’t be significantly over 10% of their entire head.
Since Mastiffs are known for their incredible size, well, except for the Pug, the Dogo boasts an 80-100 pounds in weight and a height from 24-26.5 inches.
American Bulldog
The American Bulldogs are medium to large dogs with ideal proportions of 60-100 pounds in weight and 20-25 inches in height. They’re prominently muscular, thanks to their short coat type.
The fact that the American Bulldog has a variety of lineages flowing through their veins, some features like legs and face may look different from one another. But, their common denominator would be their stocky physique.
They’re identifiable by their strong jaws, folded ears, tapering tails, and a shortened or long muzzle, depending on the type.
The usual colors present in this breed are:
- White.
- White & tan.
- White & black.
- White & brown.
- White & brindle.
Temperament
Dogo Argentino
The high tendency of a Dogo Argentino to become territorial makes them excellent watch and guard dogs. Though they show adequate love and affection to your family and kids, they may not treat your pets like cats and rabbits the same due to their high prey drive.
This, however, is an advantage if they’re trained to become hunters.
Early socialization and drills are a must for this Argentinian Mastiff. It’d be challenging to handle stubborn, big, and strong Dogos if their misbehaviors weren’t eliminated.
American Bulldog
American Bulldogs are described to be loyal, self-confident, friendly, and affectionate. They’re excellent watch dogs, too, as they can act overly suspicious of any stranger, no matter if they’re your guest.
They can be extremely loving at home, but they still require socialization to avoid unpredictable behavior. With their intelligence, training comes off easy. Patience, positive reinforcements, and good handling skills will aid them in the process.
Exercise Needs
Dogo Argentino
Around 60 minutes of exercise daily will keep your Dogo healthy. A simple brisk walk will do, but to tire them out, let them play freely in a fenced yard.
Keep the activities interesting by conducting a game of fetch, training them for agility sports, or weight-pulling to stimulate their muscles. Swimming is going to be a great experience too if you have a pool. This will also lessen the chance of your Dogo accidentally drowning.
After all, according to Dr. Ryan Ong of Murdoch Pet Emergency Center, over 200 dogs could be drowning in Perth swimming pools alone each year.
American Bulldog
As a playful breed, the American bulldog needs plenty of exercises each day. Allocate 60 minutes for their physical and mental well-being to avoid them becoming destructive.
Due to their energy levels, keeping them in an apartment won’t be ideal as they wouldn’t be able to burn their energy off that well. A home with an accessible yard would be the best place for them to live in. It has to be spacious, secure, and peaceful.
Grooming Requirements
Dogo Argentino
The short, smooth coat of the Dogo Argentino makes grooming easy. Though it sheds a moderate amount, weekly brushing would suffice using a gentle bristle or rubber curry brush. Baths only become necessary if your dog is dirty.
Regularly check their ears for any signs of infection and look after their teeth by using canine toothpaste. Also, trim their nails monthly or whenever they create clicking sounds whenever they walk on a wooden floor.
American Bulldog
The breed sheds all year round, yet they only require minimal grooming. Consider this a bonding moment, especially since American Bulldogs seem to enjoy grooming sessions.
Also, keep their wrinkles dry and away from moisture and their jowls as they’re natural slobbers. Routine checks on their ears, teeth, and nails should be done on the right schedule too. Doing so religiously will keep infections at bay, therefore, saving you from vet trips and huge vet bills.
Health Problems
Dogo Argentino
The Dogo Argentino is healthy, but they’re still prone to issues. Good diet and nutrition are great investments, and don’t forget to regularly bring them to the vet to diagnose if they have the following:
- Deafness.
- Glaucoma.
- Hip dysplasia.
- Laryngeal paralysis.
American Bulldog
As a purebred dog, the American Bulldog is susceptible to a number of health issues. Responsible breeders help lessen the chances of some developing as they run a series of tests before the breeding program starts. Usually, the issues the breed deals with are:
- Obesity.
- Allergies.
- Thyroid problems.
- Elbow and hip dysplasia.
Breed Popularity
The Dogo Argentino and the American Bulldog have no specific AKC breed popularity ranking. They’re fairly common to people’s ears; however, it’s undeniably a fact that some still have a lot to know about these two breeds to avoid mislabeling them as Pitbulls.
