Differences and Similarities between the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino.

Chinook versus Dogo Argentino

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Chinook Versus Dogo Argentino: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Chinook and for the Dogo Argentino. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Chinook or the Dogo Argentino

Chinook versus Dogo Argentino: Overview

Both the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino are similar in size. The Chinook and the Dogo Argentino are both large-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Chinook belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Dogo Argentino belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Chinook versus Dogo Argentino: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinook to the Dogo Argentino based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Chinook Dogo Argentino
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 9 to 15 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Height 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 27 inches
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 80 to 100 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $1500 – $2500
Average Price No Data $2510
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 89.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 177 93

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinook in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Dogo Argentino. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Chinook is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Dogo Argentino is 67 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chinook is a better pet than the Dogo Argentino. So, you should get the Chinook!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino

    Below is a list of where the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino are most different:

  • Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Dogo Argentinos have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Chinooks adapt well to apartment living. However, Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Chinooks can tolerate cold weather. However, Dogo Argentinos cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Chinooks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Chinooks get along well with other dogs. However, Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Dogo Argentinos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino

    The Chinook and the Dogo Argentino are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino are most similar:

  • Both the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino are very playful.
  • Both the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Dogo Argentino

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino.

    Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Dogo Argentinos weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Dogo Argentinos are 23 to 27 inches when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Dogo Argentino Versus the Chinook

    The Dogo Argentino has a better temperament than the Chinook.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dogo Argentino is 89.5 percent while the temperament score for the Chinook is 77.8 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and they are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 77.8 percent, the Chinook has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 89.5 percent, the Dogo Argentino has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino by measuring the temperaments of 9 Chinooks and 19 Dogo Argentinos.

    The Popularity of Chinook versus Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dogo Argentino is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dogo Argentino is 93 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chinook is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Year Chinook Popularity Rank Dogo Argentino Popularity Rank
    2013 156 no data
    2014 171 no data
    2015 177 no data
    2016 175 no data
    2017 179 no data
    2018 190 no data
    2019 184 no data
    2020 186 93.0

    Health Problems of Chinook versus Health Problems of Dogo Argentino

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Dogo Argentino is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Chinook.

    3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 3 tests are recommended for the Dogo Argentino.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in Dogo Argentinos.

    Chinook Health Problems

    Chinooks are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Chinook puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Chinook puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Chinook breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Chinooks for:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks here.

    Dogo Argentino Health Problems

    Dogo Argentinos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dogo Argentino puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Dogo Argentino puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dogo Argentino breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Dogo Argentinos for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dogo Argentinos here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks and Dogo Argentinos

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chinook Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Chinook ranks 5 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 52 Chinooks, 5 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chinooks, and how common these diseases are in Chinooks relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 5 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 63 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 82 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Dogo Argentino Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.

    This is because the Dogo Argentino ranks 3 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 105 Dogo Argentinos, 3 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dogo Argentinos, and how common these diseases are in Dogo Argentinos relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Baer Hearing Test problems: Rank 3 out of 21 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 16 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 85 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Dogo Argentino and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino:

    Disease Chinook Rank Dogo Argentino Rank
    Patella problems 5 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 63 out of 198 dog breeds 16 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 82 out of 182 dog breeds Not Common
    Baer Hearing Test problems Not Common 3 out of 21 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 85 out of 144 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinook or the Dogo Argentino?

    Chinooks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Dogo Argentinos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus Dogo Argentino

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

    Dogo Argentinos do not like to be left alone.

    Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Dogo Argentino

    Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Dogo Argentinos drool moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the Dogo Argentino?

    Chinooks require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Dogo Argentinos are very easy to groom.

    Does the Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Dogo Argentino?

    Chinooks have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Dogo Argentinos have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Dogo Argentinos?

    Chinooks are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Dogo Argentinos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Dogo Argentino

    Chinooks do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Dogo Argentinos have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Dogo Argentino?

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

    Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Can Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.

    Dogo Argentinos can tolerate hot weather.

    Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Dogo Argentino?

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    Dogo Argentinos are not easy to train.

    Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Dogo Argentinos cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Dogo Argentinos?

    Chinooks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Dogo Argentinos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Chinooks and Dogo Argentinos?

    Chinooks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chinook or the Dogo Argentino?

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

    Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Do Chinooks shed more than Dogo Argentinos?

    Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Dogo Argentinos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Chinook

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinook that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Chinook:

  • Keeshond (76 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Keeshond.
  • King Shepherd (75 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs King Shepherd.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dogo Argentino

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dogo Argentino that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Dogo Argentino:

  • American Bulldog (78 percent match with Dogo Argentino). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs American Bulldog.
  • Fila Brasileiro (80 percent match with Dogo Argentino). Here is our comparison of the Chinook vs Fila Brasileiro.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Chinook and how the Dogo Argentino compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Chinook and of the Dogo Argentino to other breeds:

    Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinook versus Jack Russell Terrier     Chinook versus Pyredoodle     Chinook versus Tibetan Mastiff     Chinook versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Chinook versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Chinook versus Shiranian     Chinook versus Lhasapoo     Chinook versus English Toy Spaniel     Chinook versus Cocker Spaniel     Chinook versus Lagotto Romagnolo     

    Dogo Argentino Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dogo Argentino versus Finnish Lapphund     Dogo Argentino versus Hovawart     Dogo Argentino versus Norfolk Terrier     Dogo Argentino versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Dogo Argentino versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Dogo Argentino versus Kuvasz     Dogo Argentino versus Bordoodle     Dogo Argentino versus Shihpoo     Dogo Argentino versus Basenji     Dogo Argentino versus Harrier     

    Conclusion: Chinook versus Dogo Argentino. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Chinook and the Dogo Argentino better suits you and your family.