Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dogo Argentino Versus Pug: Introduction
- Dogo Argentino versus Pug: Overview
- Dogo Argentino versus Pug: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dogo Argentino and the Pug
- The Similarities Between the Dogo Argentino and the Pug
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dogo Argentino versus Pug
- Temperament of the Pug Versus the Dogo Argentino
- Price of Dogo Argentino versus Price of Pug
- Adopting the Dogo Argentino versus Adopting the Pug
- The Popularity of Dogo Argentino versus Popularity of Pug
- Health Problems of Dogo Argentino versus Health Problems of Pug
- Do Dogo Argentinos shed more than Pugs?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dogo Argentino versus Pug
- Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?
- How Kid-friendly are Dogo Argentinos and Pugs?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dogo Argentino or the Pug?
- Is the Dogo Argentino Easier to Train than the Pug?
- Do Dogo Argentinos Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?
- Which one drools more, the Dogo Argentino or the Pug
- Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Dogo Argentinos good family dogs? What about Pugs?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dogo Argentino or the Pug?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dogo Argentino vs. Pug
- Does the Dogo Argentino Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dogo Argentino
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pug
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dogo Argentino versus Pug. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dogo Argentino Versus Pug: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dogo Argentino and the Pug? 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 Pug 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 Pug.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dogo Argentino and the Pug 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 Pug. 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 Pug.
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 Pug
Dogo Argentino versus Pug: Overview
A very important difference between the Dogo Argentino and the Pug is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Dogo Argentino is a large-sized dog while the Pug is a small-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 Pug 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 Pug: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dogo Argentino to the Pug 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 | Pug |
|---|---|---|
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Easy To Train | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 23 to 27 inches | 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Weight | 80 to 100 pounds | 14 to 18 pounds |
| Life Span | 9 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Average Lifespan | 12.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2510 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $1500 – $2500 | $1200 – $1875 |
| Temperament Score | 89.5 percent | 91.7 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 93 | 31 |
*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 Pug. 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 Pug is 80 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pug is a better pet than the Dogo Argentino. So, you should get the Pug!
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 Pug 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 Pug
Below is a list of where the Dogo Argentino and the Pug are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dogo Argentino and the Pug
The Dogo Argentino and the Pug are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dogo Argentino and the Pug are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dogo Argentino versus Pug
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dogo Argentino and the Pug.
Dogo Argentinos weigh 80 to 100 pounds when fully grown. Dogo Argentinos are 23 to 27 inches when fully grown.
On the other hand, Pugs weigh 14 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Pugs are 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Temperament of the Pug Versus the Dogo Argentino
The Pug has a better temperament than the Dogo Argentino.
This is because the temperament score for the Pug is 91.7 percent while the temperament score for the Dogo Argentino is 89.5 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 91.7 percent, the Pug has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.
The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Dogo Argentino and the Pug by measuring the temperaments of 19 Dogo Argentinos and 48 Pugs.
Price of Dogo Argentino versus Price of Pug
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 Pug puppy is $1620. The price of the Pug typically ranges from $1200 – $1875. However, the price of a Pug can be as low as $300 and as high as $6525. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 654 Pug puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Dogo Argentino is more expensive than the Pug.
| Dogo Argentino | Pug | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2510 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $1500 to $2500 | $1200 to $1875 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Dogo Argentino and Pug. For different price points, the charts show how many Dogo Argentino puppies or how many Pug 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 Pugs
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Dogo Argentino puppy or the Pug 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.
Adopting the Dogo Argentino versus Adopting the Pug
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dogo Argentinos and many Pugs are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Dogo Argentino named Romeo that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dogo Argentinos like Romeo on pefinder.com.
Also, like Dogo Argentinos, Pugs are also available for adoption. For example, Merlin is a Male Pug that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Pugs like Merlin that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Max is the name of another Dogo Argentino (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
Also Otis, an adorable Male Pug on petfinder.com that you can adopt.
You can find more Dogo Argentinos and Pugs that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Dogo Argentino versus Popularity of Pug
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 Pug over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Pug is more popular with dog owners than the Dogo Argentino. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Pug is 31 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Dogo Argentino is 93 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Dogo Argentino
Popularity of Pug
| Year | Dogo Argentino Popularity Rank | Pug Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 93.0 | 29 |
| 2013 | no data | 31 |
| 2014 | no data | 33 |
| 2015 | no data | 33 |
| 2016 | no data | 32 |
| 2017 | no data | 31 |
| 2018 | no data | 28 |
| 2019 | no data | 31 |
Health Problems of Dogo Argentino versus Health Problems of Pug
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 Pug 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 Pug is prone to more genetic health problems than the Dogo Argentino.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Pug than for the Dogo Argentino.
3 health tests are recommended for Dogo Argentino while 7 tests are recommended for the Pug.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dogo Argentinos and in Pugs.
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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dogo Argentinos here.
Pug Health Problems
Pugs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Pug 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 Pug puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Pug 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 Pugs for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Pugs here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Dogo Argentinos and Pugs
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:
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 Pug Breed is Hips problems.
This is because the Pug ranks 1 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 942 Pugs, 676 of them had Hips problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Pugs, and how common these diseases are in Pugs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
The table below lists the common health problems in Dogo Argentino and in Pug and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dogo Argentino and the Pug:
| Disease | Dogo Argentino Rank | Pug Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 3 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hips problems | 16 out of 198 dog breeds | 1 out of 198 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | 85 out of 144 dog breeds | 2 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Necrotizing Meningoencephalitis problems | Not Common | 1 out of 1 dog breeds |
| Tracheal Hypoplasia problems | Not Common | 1 out of 4 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 14 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Legg-Calve-Perthes problems | Not Common | 14 out of 40 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | Not Common | 32 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | Not Common | 60 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 Pug?
Dogo Argentinos do not adapt well to apartment living.
Pugs adapt very well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dogo Argentino or the Pug?
Dogo Argentinos are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Pugs are very good for new dog owners.
Do Dogo Argentinos shed more than Pugs?
Dogo Argentinos do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
Pugs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dogo Argentino versus Pug
Dogo Argentinos do not like to be left alone.
Pugs do not like to be left alone.
Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pugs Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dogo Argentinos cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Pugs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
How Kid-friendly are Dogo Argentinos and Pugs?
Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Pugs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dogo Argentino or the Pug?
Dogo Argentinos do not get along well with other dogs.
Pugs get along very well with other dogs.
Is the Dogo Argentino Easier to Train than the Pug?
Dogo Argentinos are not easy to train.
Pugs are fairly easy to train.
Do Dogo Argentinos Bark and Howl? What about Pugs?
Dogo Argentinos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Pugs are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Which one drools more, the Dogo Argentino or the Pug
Dogo Argentinos drool moderately.
Pugs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Can Dogo Argentinos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Pugs Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dogo Argentinos can tolerate hot weather.
Pugs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Are Dogo Argentinos good family dogs? What about Pugs?
Dogo Argentinos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Pugs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dogo Argentino or the Pug?
Dogo Argentinos are very easy to groom.
Pugs are very easy to groom.
Wanderlust Potential: Dogo Argentino vs. Pug
Dogo Argentinos have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Pugs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
Does the Dogo Argentino Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Pug?
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.
Pugs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pug
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pug 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 Pug:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Dogo Argentino and how the Pug compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dogo Argentino and of the Pug to other breeds:
Dogo Argentino Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dogo Argentino versus Tibetan Terrier Dogo Argentino versus Lhasapoo Dogo Argentino versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle Dogo Argentino versus Azawakh Dogo Argentino versus Miniature Poodle Dogo Argentino versus English Toy Spaniel Dogo Argentino versus Estrela Mountain Dog Dogo Argentino versus Norwegian Buhund Dogo Argentino versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Dogo Argentino versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Pug Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pug versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog Pug versus Miniature Pinscher Pug versus Peek A Poo Pug versus Toy Poodle Pug versus Giant Schnauzer Pug versus Boerboel Pug versus German Wirehaired Pointer Pug versus Flat-Coated Retriever Pug versus English Setter Pug versus Kuvasz
Conclusion: Dogo Argentino versus Pug. 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 Pug better suits you and your family.