Dogo Argentino vs Doberman: Which Dog Guard Breed is Better?

While they are mostly used for companionship, dogs are still excellent guards. Some dogs are better suited to guard duties than others, earning them the moniker ‘guard dogs.

Dobermans and Dogo Argentinos are two of the most popular guard dog breeds, especially attractive to first-time owners.

While both breeds are excellent guard dog choices, they are different and thus not suitable for everyone. Before choosing a guard dog, you must consider many factors, to ensure you make the right choice. This guide will look at both breeds to determine which breed is better.

Price

Dogo Argentinos are the pricier breed; if it comes down to price, the Doberman is the likely choice. The Price of the Dogo Argentino ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, while the Doberman is between $1,000 and $2,500.

Of course, several factors may influence the final price, and ultimately, you may find some Dogo Argentinos cheaper. However, it is generally the more expensive breed, and the Doberman is the rarer breed.

Both price estimates are for puppies, as guard dogs are best gotten as puppies and trained to adulthood. As a general rule of thumb, higher prices are usually associated with pedigree, which would give Dogo Argentinos an advantage.

Size

Both breeds are relatively large, making them great guard dogs, with an intimidating physical presence. Dobermans are the bigger breeds in terms of height but are smaller when considering weight.

The average size of a Doberman is around a height of 61-72 cm and a weight of 32-45 kg, while Dogo Argentinos are around height of 60-68 cm and weight of 35-45 kg.

Females are slightly smaller in both breeds regarding height and weight and are usually at the lower end of the spectrum. A female Doberman may be similar in height to a Dogo Argentino, while the reverse is the case regarding weight.

All estimates are for adults, but there are a few instances where some dogs have exceeded the estimated sizes.

Temperament

When looking for a guard dog, you want one with a fierce temperament towards strangers. Ironically, they still need to be friendly enough not to attack friends who come over to visit. Dobermans tend to be more aggressive, especially when they aren’t properly trained. Dogo Argentinos, on the other hand, are more territorial and defensive.

If it comes down to fierceness, then Dogo Argentinos are the ideal guard dog. Regardless of friendliness and socialization habits, Dogo Argentinos are the better protectors and are fiercely protective of their owners.

Dobermans also have destructive tendencies, but they can be addressed with training. Regarding relationships with smaller animals, Dogo Argentinos are predatory and see smaller animals as prey. Everything ultimately comes down to training, but Dogo Argentinos are excellent protectors and better hunting companions.

Life Span

Both Dogs have relatively long lifespans and will ultimately be around for at least a decade, provided all things are equal. Dobermans have a slight edge in this category and will typically last a few years more than a Dogo Argentino.

The Average lifespan of a Dogo Argentino is between 11 and 12 years, while a Doberman lasts around 13 to 14 years.

Age estimates are only based on the recorded cases but don’t account for your maintenance practices and health problems. Ultimately, any breed may last longer, pending on how you maintain it. However, old age will set in, and around the estimated ages, they will already be seniors and prone to passing.

Grooming

Grooming isn’t normally considered a priority with guard dogs, and both dogs have low grooming requirements. Both dogs aren’t notably hair or shed frequently, but the Doberman’s fur is denser than that of the Dogo Argentino.

Dobermans shed slightly more frequently than Dogo Argentinos, but both shed less than most other dogs.

Similarly, other grooming requirements are reduced in both breeds. You may still need to schedule visits to the groomer, but not as frequently as you would with other dogs. The Doberman’s grooming practices may be more demanding due to their denser coat, but it is still a relatively low amount.

Bathing practices are up to you with both breeds, but bath days can be few and far between with little fur. Frequent baths are advised, however, for hygiene reasons.

Health

Some dogs are more prone to certain health problems than others, making them poor guard dogs. Luckily, Dobermans and Dogo Argentinos aren’t notably susceptible to any major health problems.

Veterinary visits are few, with both breeds being among the most healthily consistent dogs available. Ultimately, a guard dog’s health will be determined by maintenance practices on the owner’s end.

From grooming practices to meal quality, all contribute to the dog’s overall health. As early detection is essential to the survival chances of a dog, it is imperative to monitor its usual behavior. Any deviation from the normal may be irrelevant but should still be considered, and a vet brought in to confirm.

Physical Activity Requirements

Guard dogs need to be alert and agile, requiring frequent physical exercise. Exercise is key to keeping the dog active and to a key role in metabolism and maintaining the dog’s health status. Both breeds require more than a few weekly walks to keep up with their physical requirements.

Dogo Argentinos and Dobermans may require some physical courses, especially as part of their training routine. Physical activity requirements should be based on the dog’s age, defined towards the end of its life.

Dobermans require slightly more physical activity than Dogo Argentinos though the difference isn’t too much.

Other Traits

A few other traits aren’t necessarily important for a guard dog but can play a role in choosing one. Drooling is one such traits, and while Dogo Argentinos don’t have this problem, Dobermans do.

The same goes for the tendency to bark, but this tends to carry a greater significance to most people. Dobermans are the better choice if you live in a residential area and need a dog that doesn’t bark too much.

Another trait that carries minor significance is the potential for playfulness. While they are guard dogs, you may still want a playful dog which would make the Doberman perfect. If, on the other hand, you want a tough, no-nonsense dog, then Dogo Argentino is perfect.

Better Guard Dog?

After considering both dogs all around, Dobermans are the better guard dogs. Of course, any choice here will still come down to personal preferences, but for a guard dog, Dobermans over Dogo Argentinos. You will surely feel safer with the Doberman at home or on a hunting trip.

Interestingly, Dobermans are considered one of the best guard dogs available, ranking in the top 10. While the Dogo Argentino is a great guard dog, Dobermans are the better choice.

What Makes A Good Guard Dog?

The most important trait of a guard dog is intelligence. The more intelligent a dog is, the quicker it will pick up clues and detect danger. While physicality and agility are important, they are of little consequence if the dog isn’t considered intelligent. This is a trait that Dobermans have over Dogo Argentinos, as they are largely considered the more intelligent breed.

Trainability is another trait that factors when looking for a good guard dog. Dogo Argentinos are more difficult to train than Dobermans which makes Dobermans the better guard dog.

Once you get the pup, start training as soon as possible to reduce its chances of picking up bad habits. You can train it how to act, when, and behave in different scenarios, which is great for a guard dog.

Fun fact: Aggression in a dog is only helpful when it can be channeled to protect its owner. Most notably, aggressive dogs rarely make good guard dogs, as they sometimes display this trait with their owners.

Intelligence and trainability, therefore, are the most important traits to look for in a guard dog once they have a physical presence.

Guard dog behaviors of Dobermans and Dogo Argentinos

Dobermans and Dogo Argentinos are good guard dogs because they have certain key traits. These traits may not be important guard dog traits, but they come in handy. Some of the traits which make them excellent guard dogs include:

Loyalty

Above all, your guard dog should be loyal, which determines whether or not they will put their body and life on the line for you. It helps if your dog loves you, hence the need to forge a bond with them, especially when they are younger.

It’s not enough to feed and water them daily; you also need to spend time with them. Luckily, both Dobermans and Dogo Argentinos have a high loyalty tendency.

Affinity To Strangers

You don’t want your guard dog to get too comfortable with strangers; otherwise, it may get relaxed even in the face of danger. However, a guard dog should be able to exercise restraint in the presence of strangers till they pose a threat.

Training can help with this part, but each dog has its affinity. Dogo Argentinos have a lower tolerance for strangers than Dobermans, who are more stranger-friendly.

Family Friendly

Above all, a guard dog should be family-friendly, especially with an affinity towards children. Children sometimes get rough, which may cause a dog pain, but a guard dog should be able to show restraint.

Dobermans, once again, are the better breed in this regard, though the Dogo Argentino isn’t far behind. Dogo Argentino’s triumph in this category is so much that you can leave your kid with them at home, if only for a short while.

Conclusion: Dogo Argentino vs Doberman: Which Dog Guard Breed is Better?

Dogo Argentinos and Dobermans are two excellent guard dog breeds, but the Doberman is the better choice especially if you are new to dogs. However, if you have any specific needs for a guard dog, the Dogo Argentino may be the better choice, especially if you hate drooling.

We have carefully compared both breeds, making choosing the best suits you easier.

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