The Dogo Argentino is an interesting choice if you want an independent dog with the traits of a fierce hunter and an affectionate family companion. However, due to its exceptional traits, you should expect to pay an average of $1200 to $4000 to get this dog.
Being one of the most expensive dogs to own makes sense, as this canine possesses the powers of a real athlete.
So, let’s read more about the price of this breed, what you should expect to keep it healthy, and other costs you need to consider before bringing this powerful working dog home.
What Is the Price of the Dogo Argentino Breed?
On average, you can expect to pay between $1200 to $4000 to get a Dogo Argentino puppy. Yet, in some cases, you should expect to pay more.
If you have your heart set on a Dogo Argentino, you might want to consider adopting instead. In this case, you’ll pay around $300 for the adoption fees and having your dog checked before you can take it home.
The white Dogo Argentino is a strong dog that was initially bred to chase big game like wild boar and can be trained to do rescue and police work.
As a result, you might consider adopting one. This is actually a good way to give back to a dog that has probably done a lot to protect your city or neighborhood.
Why Is the Dogo Argentino Expensive?
The Dogo Argentino is a rare breed that descends from the now-extinct Córdoba fighting dog. It was bred in the 1920s by mating this ancient dog with the Mastiff, Irish Wolfhound, English Pointer, Bulldog, and Bull Terrier.
The breed arrived in the US in the 1970s, but it was recognized as a breed by the AKC in 2020. It’s hard to find a breeder who specializes in these dogs. This leads to a low supply which typically increases the price of the Dogo Argentino.
Yet, given the rarity of the species, the price is still considered acceptable because this dog isn’t in high demand.
People don’t usually consider getting this dog because it’s pretty hard to take care of.
Even with the original fighting traits replaced with the strong desire for hunting, this dog is still challenging to own and doesn’t work for a novice owner or someone who doesn’t know how to keep it under control.
What Factors Affect the Price of the Dogo Argentino?
Here are some factors that determine the price of the Dogo Argentino.
Rarity
The rarity of the breed and the low supply means that you’ll have to pay more to get this dog.
Pedigree
The purity of the bloodline guarantees that you’ll have a healthy, athletic, courageous, and strong dog.
Breeder
A reputable breeder will charge higher for the puppies they breed. It costs a lot to breed high-quality, healthy puppies, but you guarantee that you’ll have a healthy litter without any genetic defects.
If you’re getting a Dogo Argentino from a good breeder, you can pay up to $8000 for a puppy.
Yet, many people consider this price totally worth it because you can guarantee that you’ll end up with a good dog.
What Is the Average Annual Cost of the Dogo Argentino?
In addition to the initial cost you pay for the Dogo Argentino, you need to consider the annual maintenance cost. This can be anything between $1700 and $3000.
You’ll spend more money during the first year of your puppy’s life, and the cost decreases significantly in later years.
This happens because the first year of the dog’s life involves a lot of vet visits, first-time purchases, and vaccines.
But, you might endure extra costs if you have a senior sick dog. Here’s a list of other costs you’ll pay to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Food
When you get a Dogo Argentino puppy, you’ll probably pay between $350 and $500 for high-quality puppy food.
Dogo Argentino dogs can weigh up to 100, and this muscular, energetic dog needs high-quality calorie-dense food to keep it in shape.
You need to buy a special dog food that has been formulated for large breeds. This can cost between $50 and $80 per month.
You'll pay more for specialty food if your dog suffers from certain health conditions.
So, you should always check with your doctor because your dog’s dietary needs change throughout its life.
You’ll also need to buy supplements to keep its joints healthy. These can cost between $30 and $50, but they usually last for several months.
Health Tests
Genetic defects and health issues can lead to pregnancy and birth problems, and testing prevents various diseases from being passed on to the offspring.
The AKC recommends BAER testing, cardiac exam, and hip evaluation for these dogs.
The BAER test is run to check if the dog has any hearing issues that might be passed on to its offspring. It generally costs about $200, but if a puppy is checked, it can cost between $50 and $100.
An initial cardiac exam can cost between $60 and $100. Yet, if a problem is detected, more tests will be run, and they can cost up to $500.
The Dogo Argentino is prone to joint issues, so having a hip evaluation is necessary. Dogs with this condition are typically removed from the breeding program.
The initial cost of the X-ray can cost up to $350, depending on the vet. They might sedate your dog, which will increase the cost of the exam by $100.
Treatments and Medications
In later years, you should expect to pay between $700 and $1500 every year to have your dog checked.
This might not include the yearly cost of flea and heartworm prevention, which might amount to up to $500 due to the dog's size.
Lyme vaccination costs about $35 per year, while fecal examination for older dogs costs about $50.
If your dog suffers from glaucoma, you might have to pay around $1800 for surgery. Hip replacement surgery costs around $6000 per hip.
Purchases
You won’t have to pay for these items regularly, as some of them can last for years.
Some accessories like food, water bowls, and toys can cost between $10 and $50 per item.
Since this dog needs a lot of stimulation, you’ll probably pay between $100 and $150 for toys. But we recommend that you choose high-quality items to withstand the biting power of this strong animal.
The average cost of a leash that withstands this dog's strength will be about $50.
You should expect to pay more for a crate to accommodate this dog’s large size. In general, the crate’s cost can be between $200 and $300, but some crates will cost more.
Training and Walking
Dogo Argentino is an independent and intelligent dog. So, unless you’re an experienced owner who knows how to handle this stubborn animal, you won’t be able to train it.
In most cases, hiring a professional trainer will be a better decision. You’ll pay your trainer around $300, but you’ll endure this cost once when you get a young puppy.
Specialty training costs more, and you should pay around $700 for a series of private lessons, depending on the training you want to offer your dog.
With so much energy, this dog can become highly aggressive when left alone. You might need to hire someone to walk your dog, and you should expect to pay them around $30 per 30-minute walk.
If you have to spend time away from home, you’ll have to pay around $40 per day for dog-sitting services.
Calvin is the co-founder and one of the main contributors to dogtemperament.com. He has been an avid dog lover all his life. He enjoys researching and sharing great ideas on how you can avoid common pitfalls of dog ownership and build the most loving and enjoyable relationship with your dog.
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