Which dog to buy?

The Dogo Argentino is a large, white, muscular breed of dog that was developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose of big-game hunting, including wild boar.[1][2] The breeder, Antonio Nores Martínez, also wanted a dog that would exhibit steadfast bravery and willingly protect its human companion. It was first bred in 1928 from the Cordoba Dog, along with a wide array of other breeds, including the Great Dane.[1][2]

Dogo Argentino
Vinnymarch2012c.jpg
Other names
Argentine Dogo
Common nicknames
Dogo
Origin
Argentina
Traits
Weight
Male
40–90 kg (88–198 lb)
Female
40–88 kg (88–194 lb)
Height
Male
60–68 cm (24–27 in)
Female
60–65 cm (24–26 in)
Coat
Short
Colour
White
Classification / standards
FCI
Group 2, Section 2.1 Molossian: Mastiff type #292
standard
AKC
Miscellaneous
standard
The AKC Miscellaneous class is for breeds working towards full AKC recognition.
UKC
Guardian Dog
standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)
Contents
Appearance
Edit
The Dogo Argentino is a large white short-coated dog with black spots on its skin and has a muscular and strong body that rarely has any markings on its coat (any type of marking or spot on the coat is considered a flaw).[3] While it is not accepted in many of the clubs, a Dogo Argentino can have a black or brindle spot on its head known as a 'pirata' and this is accepted by the Federación Cinológica Argentina.[2]


Dogo Argentino showing
Breed Standard Height: for females is 60–65 centimetres (24–26 inches) and for males is 60–68 centimetres (24–27 inches), measured at the withers.[1] Weight: from 40–45 kilograms (88–99 pounds).[1] The length of the body is just slightly longer than the height. The length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) is approximately equal to one-half of the dog's height at the withers. The head has a broad, slightly domed skull and the muzzle is slightly higher at the nose than the stop, when viewed in profile. The tail is set low, thick at the base and tapers to a point.

It has been described as looking similar to the American Bulldog, but very tall with a solid white coat. The breed has also been described as looking similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier, even though the American Pit Bull Terrier is far smaller (13.5 to 27 kilograms).[4]

History
Edit

Cordoba Dog
In 1928, Antonio Nores Martinez, a medical doctor, professor and surgeon, set out to breed a big game hunting dog that was also capable of being a loyal pet and guard dog. Antonio Martinez picked the Cordoba Dog to be the base for the breed.[5] This breed is extinct today, but it was said that as a large and ferocious dog, it was a great hunter. Martinez crossed it with the Great Dane, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, Old English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Pyrenean Mastiff, English Pointer, Irish Wolfhound and Dogue de Bordeaux.[5] Nores Martinez continued to develop the breed via selective breeding to introduce the desired traits.

In 1970 Dr. Raul Zeballos brought the first six Dogo Argentino's to the United States of America, here you can see more historical data and documents on the DogoArgentino.com website.

Temperament
Edit
Dogos are big-game hunters and are also trained for search and rescue, police assistance, service dogs, guide for the blind, competitive obedience, Schutzhund and military work.[3]

The Dogo is an intelligent and courageous dog with a strong, natural instinct to protect its home and family. Dogos are very social dogs and are happiest when included in all family activities. Dogos make a strong distinction between familiar people and strangers, so it is imperative that they be well trained and socialized at an early age.

Dogos are hunters of great courage and endurance, and will work individually or in packs. They have also successfully been used in police protection work. An unsteady temperament is a serious fault. {UKC Breed Standard} The Dogo has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.[6]


A Dogo Argentino with uncropped ears
Health
Edit
As in the Dalmatian, white Boxer, and white Bull Terrier, the Dogo may experience pigment-related deafness. There is possibility of an approximate 10% deafness rate overall with some Dogos afflicted uniaurally (one deaf ear) and some binaurally (deaf in both ears). Studies have shown that the incidence of deafness is drastically reduced when the only breeding stock used is that with bilaterally normal hearing. OFA health testing should be done on all breeding stock to ensure that there is no evident signs of hip dysplasia. [7][8][9]

Hunting and legality
Edit
While the Dogo Argentino was bred primarily from the extinct Cordoba Dog, it was bred to be a cooperative hunter, i.e. to accompany other catch dogs and bay dogs on the hunt without fighting with the other dogs.

The Dogo Argentino is banned, or has ownership restrictions, in certain countries, including the Cayman Islands, Denmark, Fiji,[10] Iceland, Australia[11], New Zealand, Singapore, Turkey, and Ukraine. In the United Kingdom, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is illegal to own a Dogo Argentino without lawful authority.

Or


The Giant Schnauzer is a working breed of dog developed in the 17th century in Germany. It is the largest of the three breeds of Schnauzer (the other two breeds being the Standard Schnauzer and the Miniature Schnauzer). Numerous breeds were used in its development, including the black Great Dane, the Bouvier des Flandres, and the German Pinscher. Originally bred to assist on farms by driving livestock to market and guarding the farmer's property, the breed eventually moved into the city, where it worked guarding breweries, butchers' shops, stockyards and factories. It was unknown outside of Bavaria until it became popular as a military dog during World War I and World War II.

Giant Schnauzer
A standing black dog with dense, wavy fur, a distinct 'beard' and eyebrows, a docked tail, and cropped ears, facing to the left.
A black Giant Schnauzer groomed for show.
Other names
Munich Schnauzer[1]
Munchener[1]
Russian Bear Schnauzer[2]
Origin
Germany
Traits
Weight
35–47 kg (77–104 lb)[3]
Height
Male
65–70 cm (25.5–27.5 in)[4]
Female
60–65 cm (23.5–25.5 in)[4]
Coat
Dense, wiry
Color
Black or "pepper and salt"
Litter size
5-8[5]
Life span
10-12 years[6]
Classification / standards
FCI
Group 2, Section 1.2 Schnauzer #181
standard
AKC
Working
standard
ANKC
Group 6 (Utility)
standard
CKC
Group 3 (Working)
standard
KC (UK)
Working
standard
NZKC
Utility
standard
UKC
Guardian Dog
standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)
They have dense coarse coat that protects them from the weather and from vermin. Giant Schnauzers come in two color patterns: Solid black, and a color known as pepper and salt, with banded hairs of alternating white and black, appearing gray at a distance. Where legal, they are shown with cropped ears and docked tails. Like other schnauzers, they have a distinct beard and eyebrows. Today, the Giant Schnauzer participates in numerous dog sports, including Schutzhund. It is also used as a police dog.

Contents
History
Edit
The first Giant Schnauzers emerged from Swabia in the German state of Bavaria, and Württemberg in the 17th century.[4][7] These original Giant Schnauzers were considered a rough-coated version of the German Pinscher breeds, and their hair was thought to help them withstand the harsh German winters and bites from vermin.[1] The origins of the breed are unclear, but sources speculate it originated through some combination of black Great Danes,[1] German Shepherds,[1] Rottweilers,[1] Dobermanns,[1] Boxers,[1] Bouvier des Flandres,[1] Thuringian Shepherds,[2] and the Standard Schnauzer.[2]

The Giant Schnauzer was originally bred as a multipurpose farm dog for guarding property and driving animals to market.[8] By the turn of the 20th century the Giant Schnauzer was being used as a watchdog at factories, breweries, butcheries, and stockyards throughout Bavaria.[1][7] It was unknown outside Bavaria until it was used as a military dog in World War I and World War II.[1][7] The first Giant Schnauzers were imported to America in the 1930s, but they remained rare until the 1960s,[9] when the breed became popular. In 1962, there were 23 new Giant Schnauzers registered with the American Kennel Club; in 1974 this number was 386; in 1984 it was over 800 and in 1987 it was around 1000 animals.[10] In 2012, there were 94 new dogs registered, down from 95 in 2011.[11]

In modern times, the Giant Schnauzer is used as a police dog; is trained for obedience, dog agility, herding, search and rescue, and schutzhund; and is shown in conformation shows.[7][9] They are also used for carting.[8] In Europe, the breed is considered to be more of a working dog than a show dog.[10] The focus in many European Schnauzer clubs is not so much on conformation shows, but on the working ability of the breed.[10] In several countries, including Germany, dogs must achieve a Schutzhund Champion title before they can qualify to be a conformation champion.[10]

Schnauzer

Depends what you want it for asking which dog to get, is like asking what gun to get. The Dogo you might have some liability problems if not trained and handled right at least more so than other dogs.

Beagles forever!

I don’t think you could handle any one of them. I suggest getting one of each.

No thanks to that dog pictured above. Lived and learned that over the years. I want one small and agile enough to jump in and out of the truck, yet won't take up too much space ( I love labs but wont have another one in my truck) Yet, I don't want a super hunting dog on the trap line, either. A guy Spend way too much time trying to get him back off a game trail or yanking him off of fur. A dog that's a bit afraid of stuff is really nice I've found. They stick close by and learn to be afraid of traps. They just require a lot less time when trying to trap.

I'll say my Boston terrier is about right. Only took me 40 or so years to figure it out. Many of the terrier breeds are really nice, but that thing pictured above isn't coming in my house, truck or on my trapline.

Those super cool looking macho dogs are a big pain in the butt....unless you are hunting hogs or something like that. Then they are nice....until you aren't hunting hogs or bears...which is most of the time they are alive.

If you have kids, neither.

Maybe something a little more mellow?

A mutt from the shelter with a wagging tail when it see's your kids.

If you have no kids the bad (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) white one.

Yup

It will be mine and most likely left in my truck yard

I agree with Rob and would go with the Schnauzer Brian if you are looking for something to be around your family. My Dad had one when we were kids. It was both loyal and protective. They were also pretty much a one person dog (which IMO all good dogs are). On a second note, they are not apt to go for the head area if they do decide to bite.

I've heard some boys around here using dogos for hog hunting. Again, IMO, those dogs are nothing more than glorified pits. The pic you posted is a perfect example, that animal was not bred to be intelligent or loyal. It was bred to hold an animal 5-10 times its size in place. When an animal like that grabs something smaller, they tend to rip their throats, ears, and faces off. Call me what you want, but no way would I have that dog around a child.

One with a lot less text in it's description.

Moosetrot

My shadow but dumb as a rock but fun.

As a working and family dog, the Schnauzer and I am not saying that because I am the resident Kraut.

Good luck with getting a dog to protect you and your family, I just hope some friend does not come up behind you and grab you just fooling around etc.

What do you want the dog to do?

Neither, get you some viagra. You're over compensating.

Nothing more loving and better with grouse, woodcock, pheasant and duck then a wirehair!!!

Drop down in size and get a regular schnauzer instead of a giant... I have a miniature schnauzer that is my constant companion and a great dog, but sometimes I wish I had a regular schnauzer...

We are an Australian Shepherd family here!

Don't you have poultry? Even if it doesn't go nuts on them, just the sight of a dog across the yard can stress all types of poultry. Just something to think about.

Dogos are becoming pretty common, they are sort of the new pitbull for all the drug and gang crowd. Giant schnauzers are rare and expensive. Both breeds are probably a bad choice to have around small kids, like you have. If the main purpose is to protect your truck yard I would just get 2 large mutts.

If you want a purebred, get a kangal type, Anatolians shepherd. They get much larger, a decent sized adult male will weigh close to 220 and be 6' 6" on it's back legs. They have much stronger bites than all other breeds, but are unlikely to bite. Their size and bark will keep almost anyone from wanting to enter your truck yard.




The kangals can protect your livestock too

Keith

For family pet and protection a Shepard would be my pick, loyal and scary at the same time plus smart.

Ok is there a question.
Bassett hound lol

No better big dog than a black lab.

You can get a fast car or a tall truck or a young girlfriend if you need an ego boost.

I agree

I'm a beagle guy.

This dog will live in the truck yard

Wow!

I have access to both I posted. Just need to figure out which one I want.

Yup

I keep beagles with my birds. And goats

All my live stock are fenced in. To include the birds.

My beagles have indoor outdoor pen inside of my livestock pens