Argentine dog how to feed? Owner reviews

argentine dog how to feed? owner reviews

 

 

Mastiffs are a large family of breeds similar in certain characteristics.

It also includes the Argentine Dane. They are large and strong dogs, which with their mere appearance can scare people unfamiliar with this breed.

Fear and mistrust arise at the level of instincts, because these dogs give the impression of being aggressive and dangerous animals.

But when you learn more about them, they are very good-natured animals.

History of Origin

The Argentine Dogs became popular only in the XX century, but the history of this breed is long and complicated.

The ancestors of these dogs were mastiffs, which appeared in South America in the 16th century and were used by the conquistadors-conquerors to fight the local population.

Over time these dogs were crossed with bulldogs and boxers. The puppies born of such combinations were strong, hardy, and fierce. They were called Cordoba dogs and were used in the fights popular in Argentina at the time.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, A. N. Martinez became interested in Cordoba dogs.

He decided to use them to create a new breed, whose representatives could hunt big game, and would be strong, hardy, have a quality exterior, balanced character, and most importantly – would not be aggressive against people.

Boxers, German and Bordeaux Dogs, Bull Terriers, Bulldogs, Pointers, Pyrenean Mountain Dogs, Spanish Mastiffs and Irish Wolfhounds were used in selection work.

For a long time the resulting puppies had qualities that did not suit Martinez and it took him 30 years to create what he saw as the perfect dogs – the Argentine Dane.

The first standard was approved in 1928 and in 1964 the breed was recognized by the Argentinean Canine Federation.

In Europe these dogs became popular only in the 1970s, attracting the interest of the Dutch, German, Austrian, Spanish and Italian dog breeders. In USA representatives of this breed appeared in the early 1990s.

 

 

Interesting Facts

1. The representative of this breed starred in the movie "My Friend the Argentine Dog", which was released in 2004.
2. In their country, these dogs remain the only national breed.
3. They do not let go of their prey while it is still alive, which makes them very difficult to train for work to apprehend intruders. In the USA, the idea of adapting these dogs for police service was considered unsuccessful, as the dogs were too zealous in attacking and injuring intruders during apprehension.

Description and standard

The Argentine Dane is a medium-sized dog whose silhouette lacks protruding lines. They combine strength, agility, and athletic qualities.

The breed standard :

• The head is large, the transition from the muzzle to the neck is pronounced;
• The width and length of the muzzle is almost equal to the width of the skull;
• The neck is strong, small, arched;
• The eyes are almond-shaped, wide-set, preferably dark brown, as dogs with lighter eyes often have hearing problems;
• lips thick and fleshy, pigmented black at margins;
• The bite is scissor-shaped or pincer-shaped;
• ears broad, erect and cropped or naturally long and floppy, with rounded tips;
• tail straight, saber-shaped;
• The coat is coarse and short, uniform in length over the whole body, but may be shorter on the paws, muzzle and head, with no undercoat;
• limbs long, well-muscled;
• The back is broad, muscular, with well defined vertebral muscles.

The standard height at withers of these dogs should be equal to the length of the rump and a half of the depth of the chest.

 

 

Character of the pet

Representatives of this breed are characterized by a high level of activity, mobility, strength and endurance.

They are brave and have a developed fighting and guarding instinct, but absolutely not aggressive. Aggression is a significant defect that is considered a disqualifying characteristic, and such dogs are not allowed for breeding and shows.

Great Dane is devoted to its master and his family, treating them kindly and friendly. They mistrust and are wary of strangers, but if they don't behave aggressively and do not pose a threat, they show quick sympathy and friendliness.

Otherwise, these dogs will start barking to announce the visit of a stranger and will not hesitate to defend their owners.

This breed needs a lot of care, attention, exercise, walking and exercise to keep it in shape.

They are intelligent dogs, and there is no problem in training them if they are approached correctly. They tend to dominate and in the first few years will try by all means to take a leading position in the home, so inexperienced dog owners should turn to a professional dog trainer and undergo OKD. Despite the fact that modern representatives of the breed are not created for fighting, you should not underestimate their strength and power – without proper training they can pose a serious danger to others.

 

 

Pros and cons

One of the main advantages of Argentine dogs is the complete absence of unmotivated aggression towards people.

In addition, the following positive qualities are noted in them :

• friendliness;
• loyalty;
• hunting and guarding instinct;
• intelligence;
• the ability to keep in an apartment;
• courage;
• excellent sense of smell;
• easy care.

Among the disadvantages of representatives of this breed are :

• long socialization;
• The need for professional training;
• a tendency to dominance;
• the high cost.

In addition, these dogs will not suit busy people and those who used to lead a sedentary life – they need regular active and long walks and physical activity.

 

 

Color Variations

Argentinean Dane coats may only be white in color.

The breed standard allows for one or more small black spots around the eyes, but they may not exceed 10% of the head area. A large number of spots is considered a breed defect.

Judges at the show will give preference to the whitest representative of the breed.

 

 

Is it suitable to keep in the apartment? Outdoors?

Argentine dogs can be kept indoors if they get enough exercise: usually two brisk walks a day for 1.5-2 hours each are enough.

But it's better to keep these dogs in the yard of private houses, the main thing is to keep the territory well fenced off.

In any case, the pet needs a personal place where it can sleep and rest comfortably.

These dogs cannot tolerate the cold, so they should be taken inside the house or a covered outbuilding as soon as the temperature drops to zero degrees Celsius.

 

 

Attitude to pets and children

Argentine Dogs for the most part get along well with pets that live under the same roof with them.

But if there is a possibility, it is better to get such a dog if there are no other animals – hunting instincts may overtake and the dog will chase a cat or a smaller dog.

Representatives of this breed treat children well and play with them with pleasure. Otherwise, the situation with unfamiliar kids – their dog dislikes them or treats them coolly, not letting them near itself.

 

 

How to properly care for them

Argentine dogs do not require grooming. To maintain the pet's attractive appearance and health, you just need to follow simple hygiene rules.

Hair and bathing

The coat needs to be brushed 2-3 times a week using a soft bristle brush, and during shedding use a furminator.

If a pet lives in an apartment, you should wash its paws and belly after each walk, especially in rainy weather.

It is necessary to bathe Argentine dogs not more than 1 time per quarter using hypoallergenic shampoo suitable for their hair type. Washing more often can lead to a loss of the fat layer necessary to protect the upper layers of the skin in winter.

Twice a week, you should wipe your pet's ears with a cotton pad soaked in a special lotion to remove excess wax and dirt.

 

 

Claws

With regular walks the claws sharpen on their own. If they don't, they should be trimmed with a guillotine claw tool as they grow.

Eyes

The eyes do not need extra care, they should be kept moderately moist. If they become severely sour, they should be rinsed with warm boiled water; if that doesn't help, call a veterinarian.

To prevent plaque and tartar buildup, brush the pets' teeth once a week with a special toothbrush and toothpaste or tooth powder.

 

 

Lifespan and major diseases

Argentine Dogs have a fairly strong health, but to exclude the propensity of these dogs to develop some diseases breeders have not been able to.

Most often, representatives of this breed are diagnosed with :

• Hip and elbow dysplasia;
• allergies;
• dermatitis;
• deafness;
• glaucoma;
• epiphora;
• hypothyroidism;
• cataracts;
• intestinal spoilage.

With proper housing and good breeding, Argentine Dogs live an average of 14-16 years.

 

 

Size and weight

Sex	Height at withers, cm	Weight, kg
Dog	62-68	40-45
Bitch	60-65	40-43

Nutritional considerations

For feeding Argentine dogs, both natural products and industrial feeds are suitable, the main thing is to observe the balance of necessary substances in the diet and not to mix both types of food.

With natural feeding, each owner prepares the pet himself, choosing only fresh and quality products for him.

However, this requires quite a lot of time and certain knowledge, without which it is impossible to make a balanced diet.

The menu of the Argentine Dane must include :

• Lean meat;
• by-products;
• vegetables, greens, fruits;
• Rice and buckwheat cereals;
• saltwater fish;
• low-fat dairy products;
• eggs.

Do not feed dogs:

• sweets, pickles, marinades;
• Smoked meats and sausages;
• Flour products;
• Fried or fatty foods;
• freshwater fish;
• Fatty meats;
• bones;
• potatoes;
• grapes;
• nuts;
• legumes.

It is also necessary to introduce vitamin and mineral supplements into your dog's diet.

Industrial foods already have a balanced composition and all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the healthy growth and development of the dog.

The owner only needs to choose the food: the products must be in the premium or super premium class, and take into account the age, weight, health and activity level of the pet. Popular food brands include Royal Canin, Brit, Acana and Purina ProPlan.

The number of feedings and portion size depend on the age of the dog:

• Up to 3 months – 5-6 times, 200 g;
• 3-6 months – 2-3 times, 1-1.5 l;
• 6-12 months – 2 times, 2-4 liters.

An adult Argentine Dane should be fed 1-2 times a day, increasing the daily rate of food to 5 liters.

 

 

Training and education

Training is a necessary component in the upbringing of the Argentine Dog. Without it, the pet will not understand the master's orders and obey him.

Training should be started as early as possible: you should start with the house rules and such commands as "place", "don't" and "come" from the first days of the puppy's arrival, to obedience during walks – as soon as the quarantine period after vaccination is over.

There are 2 types of training: simplified, which is suitable for dogs who do not pretend to participate in competitions, and specialized, which requires certain skills and equipped areas for training.

It is forbidden to beat, shout at or disrespect the dog in any way during training.

It is important to show leadership qualities as a dog handler without losing the dog's trust. It is important to praise and encourage your dog for obeying commands and to make sure that he isn't exhausted by too much work.

Socialization is also important, since dogs should be taken out for walks as early as possible, spent time in public places and taught to behave properly, showing that chasing other animals and being aggressive toward them is wrong.

 

 

How to choose? A boy or a girl?

Buy a puppy when he's 1.5-2.5 months old, at which age you'll know if he complies with the breed standard.

The only difference between puppies and adults of the breed is small drooping ears, otherwise they are a miniature copy of adult Danes.

They should have :

• A short coat of white color;
• Scissor-shaped or pinched bite;
• Thin skin without rashes or redness;
• Broad set almond-shaped eyes;
• athletic build.

The little Argentine dog must be inquisitive, active and friendly.

Choosing the sex of the future pet, one should understand that bitches are more compliant and are better suited to families with children, while males are more stubborn and temperamental.

It is also better to buy a girl, if there are plans for breeding the breed.

 

 

Price range, kennels in USA

Argentine Dogs are popular in USA, so it is easy to find a cattery that specializes in breeding this breed.

• "From the moon pack", Chicago;
• "Goldinalena", Chicago;
• "Pahra Magnifica, Chicago, Saratov;
• Gold Balance, St. Petersburg.

The cost of puppies show class is at an average of 15-20 thousand rubles. Such dogs are thoroughbred, but have some deviations from the standard, and can not participate in breeding and shows.

Representatives of the Bread class will cost 20-50 thousand rubles. The cost of show class puppies starts from 50-70 thousand euros.