Dogo Argentino versus Lowchen. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

Dogo Argentino versus Lowchen

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Dogo Argentino Versus Lowchen: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen 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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen.

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 Lowchen

Dogo Argentino versus Lowchen: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Lowchen belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Dogo Argentino versus Lowchen: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dogo Argentino to the Lowchen 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 Lowchen
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Height 23 to 27 inches 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Weight 80 to 100 pounds 9 to 18 pounds
Life Span 9 to 15 years 13 to 15 years
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $2510 $2870
Price Range $1500 – $2500 $1642 – $4500
Temperament Score 89.5 percent 75.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 93 163

    *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 Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 85 out of 125.

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

    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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen

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

  • Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Lowchens adapt well to apartment living.
  • Dogo Argentinos are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Lowchens are good for new dog owners.
  • Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Lowchens get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Dogo Argentinos are not easy to train. However, Lowchens are very easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen

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

  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dogo Argentino versus Lowchen

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

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

    On the other hand, Lowchens weigh 9 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Lowchens are 12 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Temperament of the Dogo Argentino Versus the Lowchen

    The Dogo Argentino has a better temperament than the Lowchen.

    This is because the temperament score for the Dogo Argentino is 89.5 percent while the temperament score for the Lowchen is 75.0 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 89.5 percent, the Dogo Argentino has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 75.0 percent, the Lowchen has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen by measuring the temperaments of 19 Dogo Argentinos and 12 Lowchens.

    Price of Dogo Argentino versus Price of Lowchen

    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 Lowchen puppy is $2870. The price of the Lowchen typically ranges from $1642 – $4500. However, the price of a Lowchen can be as low as $300 and as high as $4500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 7 Lowchen puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lowchen is more expensive than the Dogo Argentino.

    Dogo Argentino Lowchen
    Average Price $2510 $2870
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $1642 to $4500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Dogo Argentino and Lowchen. For different price points, the charts show how many Dogo Argentino puppies or how many Lowchen 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 Lowchens

    A breakdown of the prices of Lowchens

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dogo Argentino puppy or the Lowchen 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 Lowchen

    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 Lowchen over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dogo Argentino is more popular with dog owners than the Lowchen. 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 Lowchen is 163 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Dogo Argentino

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Popularity of Lowchen

    Year Dogo Argentino Popularity Rank Lowchen Popularity Rank
    2020 93.0 161
    2013 no data 154
    2014 no data 165
    2015 no data 161
    2016 no data 171
    2017 no data 169
    2018 no data 168
    2019 no data 158

    Health Problems of Dogo Argentino versus Health Problems of Lowchen

    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 Lowchen 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 Lowchen is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Dogo Argentino.

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

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

    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.

    Lowchen Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months, with repeat evaluations recommended every two years.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Lowchens here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Dogo Argentinos and Lowchens

    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 Lowchen Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Lowchen ranks 19 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 149 Lowchens, 9 of them had Patella problems.

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

  • Patella problems: Rank 19 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 42 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 163 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Dogo Argentino and in Lowchen and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dogo Argentino and the Lowchen:

    Disease Dogo Argentino Rank Lowchen Rank
    Baer Hearing Test problems 3 out of 21 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 16 out of 198 dog breeds 163 out of 198 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 85 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems Not Common 19 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems Not Common 42 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 Lowchen?

    Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Lowchens adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

    Lowchens are very good for new dog owners.

    Do Dogo Argentinos shed more than Lowchens?

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

    Lowchens shed moderately.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dogo Argentino versus Lowchen

    Dogo Argentinos do not like to be left alone.

    Lowchens do not like to be left alone.

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

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

    Lowchens can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    How Kid-friendly are Dogo Argentinos and Lowchens?

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

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

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

    Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with other dogs.

    Lowchens get along very well with other dogs.

    Is the Dogo Argentino Easier to Train than the Lowchen?

    Dogo Argentinos are not easy to train.

    Lowchens are very easy to train.

    Do Dogo Argentinos Bark and Howl? What about Lowchens?

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

    Lowchens are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Which one drools more, the Dogo Argentino or the Lowchen

    Dogo Argentinos drool moderately.

    Lowchens do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Lowchens Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dogo Argentinos can tolerate hot weather.

    Lowchens can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Are Dogo Argentinos good family dogs? What about Lowchens?

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

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

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

    Dogo Argentinos are very easy to groom.

    Lowchens are moderately easy to groom.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dogo Argentino vs. Lowchen

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

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

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

    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.

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

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

  • English Cocker Spaniel (79 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs English Cocker Spaniel.
  • Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier (80 percent match with Lowchen). Here is our comparison of the Dogo Argentino vs Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dogo Argentino Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dogo Argentino versus Tibetan Terrier     Dogo Argentino versus Maltese     Dogo Argentino versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Dogo Argentino versus Pug     Dogo Argentino versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Dogo Argentino versus Shichon     Dogo Argentino versus Patterdale Terrier     Dogo Argentino versus Mountain Cur     Dogo Argentino versus Puggle     Dogo Argentino versus Cavapoo     

    Lowchen Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lowchen versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Lowchen versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Lowchen versus Bearded Collie     Lowchen versus Dutch Shepherd     Lowchen versus Cesky Terrier     Lowchen versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Lowchen versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Lowchen versus Australian Cattle Dog     Lowchen versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Lowchen versus Australian Terrier     

    Conclusion: Dogo Argentino versus Lowchen. 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 Lowchen better suits you and your family.