A Detailed Comparison of the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

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Dogo Argentino Versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo? 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 Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Dogo Argentino and for the Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo.

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

Dogo Argentino versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Overview

A very important difference between the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dogo Argentino is a large-sized dog while the Lagotto Romagnolo is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo are Sporting Dogs. This means both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo 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.

Dogo Argentino versus Lagotto Romagnolo: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dogo Argentino to the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Dogo Argentino Lagotto Romagnolo
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 3/5
Height 23 to 27 inches 14 to 19 inches
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Weight 80 to 100 pounds 24 to 35 pounds
Life Span 9 to 15 years 14 to 17 years
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 15.5 years
Average Price $2510 $5210
Price Range $1500 – $2500 $4994 – $5819
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye examination each year, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Lagotto Storage Disease
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 93 101

    *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 Dogo Argentino 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 Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Dogo Argentino is 67 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Lagotto Romagnolo is 80 out of 125.

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

    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 Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo

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

  • Dogo Argentinos are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Lagotto Romagnolos are good for new dog owners.
  • Dogo Argentinos are very easy to groom. However, Lagotto Romagnolos require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo

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

  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dogo Argentino versus Lagotto Romagnolo

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

    Dogo Argentinos weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Dogo Argentinos are 23 to 27 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Lagotto Romagnolos weigh 24 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Lagotto Romagnolos are 14 to 19 inches when fully grown.

    Price of Dogo Argentino versus Price of Lagotto Romagnolo

    The average price of the Dogo Argentino puppy is $2510. The price of the Dogo Argentino typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Dogo Argentino can be as low as $400 and as high as $6800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 Dogo Argentino puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Lagotto Romagnolo puppy is $5210. The price of the Lagotto Romagnolo typically ranges from $4994 – $5819. However, the price of a Lagotto Romagnolo can be as low as $3850 and as high as $6100. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 12 Lagotto Romagnolo puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lagotto Romagnolo is more expensive than the Dogo Argentino.

    Dogo Argentino Lagotto Romagnolo
    Average Price $2510 $5210
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $4994 to $5819

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Dogo Argentino and Lagotto Romagnolo. For different price points, the charts show how many Dogo Argentino puppies or how many Lagotto Romagnolo puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dogo Argentinos. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Dogo Argentinos. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lagotto Romagnolos

    A breakdown of the prices of Lagotto Romagnolos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dogo Argentino puppy or the Lagotto Romagnolo puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Popularity of Dogo Argentino versus Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    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 Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dogo Argentino is more popular with dog owners than the Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Lagotto Romagnolo is 101 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    Popularity of Lagotto Romagnolo

    Year Dogo Argentino Popularity Rank Lagotto Romagnolo Popularity Rank
    2020 93.0 88
    2016 no data 114
    2017 no data 117
    2018 no data 99
    2019 no data 90

    Health Problems of Dogo Argentino versus Health Problems of Lagotto Romagnolo

    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 Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dogo Argentino.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Lagotto Romagnolo than for the Dogo Argentino.

    3 health tests are recommended for Dogo Argentino while 6 tests are recommended for the Lagotto Romagnolo.

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

    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.

    Lagotto Romagnolo Health Problems

    Lagotto Romagnolos are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolos for:

  • Benign Familial Juvenile Epilepsy
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye examination each year, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Lagotto Storage Disease
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lagotto Romagnolos here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Dogo Argentinos and Lagotto Romagnolos

    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
  • 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 Lagotto Romagnolo Breed is Dentition Database problems.

    This is because the Lagotto Romagnolo ranks 8 out of 49 dog breeds for Dentition Database problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 65 Lagotto Romagnolos, 10 of them had Dentition Database problems.

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

  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 8 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 18 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 33 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 56 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 110 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 145 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Dogo Argentino and in Lagotto Romagnolo and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo:

    Disease Dogo Argentino Rank Lagotto Romagnolo Rank
    Baer Hearing Test problems 3 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 16 out of 198 dog breeds 33 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 85 out of 144 dog breeds 110 out of 144 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 8 out of 49 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems Not Common 18 out of 71 dog breeds
    Patella problems Not Common 56 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 145 out of 182 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.

    Is the Dogo Argentino Better for Apartment Owners than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very good for new dog owners.

    Do Dogo Argentinos shed more than Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dogo Argentino versus Lagotto Romagnolo

    Dogo Argentinos do not like to be left alone.

    Lagotto Romagnolos can be left alone only for a short time.

    Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are Dogo Argentinos and Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Lagotto Romagnolos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Is the Dogo Argentino Easier to Train than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dogo Argentinos are not easy to train.

    Lagotto Romagnolos are very easy to train.

    Do Dogo Argentinos Bark and Howl? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos bark and howl, but not very much.

    Which one drools more, the Dogo Argentino or the Lagotto Romagnolo

    Dogo Argentinos drool moderately.

    Lagotto Romagnolos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lagotto Romagnolos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dogo Argentinos can tolerate hot weather.

    Lagotto Romagnolos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Are Dogo Argentinos good family dogs? What about Lagotto Romagnolos?

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos are good family dogs. They are affectionate with family.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dogo Argentino or the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    Dogo Argentinos are very easy to groom.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Dogo Argentino vs. Lagotto Romagnolo

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

    Lagotto Romagnolos have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Does the Dogo Argentino Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Lagotto Romagnolo?

    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.

    Lagotto Romagnolos 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.

    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 Lagotto Romagnolo vs American Bulldog.
  • Fila Brasileiro (80 percent match with Dogo Argentino). Here is our comparison of the Lagotto Romagnolo vs Fila Brasileiro.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lagotto Romagnolo

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lagotto Romagnolo 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 Lagotto Romagnolo:

  • Boxerdoodle (77 percent match with Lagotto Romagnolo). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Boxerdoodle.
  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (77 percent match with Lagotto Romagnolo). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dogo Argentino Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dogo Argentino versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Dogo Argentino versus West Highland White Terrier     Dogo Argentino versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Dogo Argentino versus Patterdale Terrier     Dogo Argentino versus Standard Poodle     Dogo Argentino versus Basset Hound     Dogo Argentino versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Dogo Argentino versus English Setter     Dogo Argentino versus Bouvier des Flandres     Dogo Argentino versus Maremma Sheepdog     

    Lagotto Romagnolo Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lagotto Romagnolo versus Samoyed     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Pug     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Sheepadoodle     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Basset Hound     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Lowchen     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Whippet     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Afador     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Irish Terrier     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Saint Berdoodle     Lagotto Romagnolo versus Westiepoo     

    Conclusion: Dogo Argentino versus Lagotto Romagnolo. 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 Dogo Argentino and the Lagotto Romagnolo better suits you and your family.