Disposition
Dogos are very loving, loyal dogs, but you must remember that along with a dogo comes the responsibility of raising a dog of up to 100 lbs. or more of muscle and bone that is put together in the form of a super-dog, originally meant to take on a mountain lion or wild boar.
SOCIALIZATION IS KEY. If you purchase a dogo and put it in the backyard and neglect it, you have ruined him. You have not taken on your responsibility of raising such a powerful dog and you are damaging the reputation of my favorite breed.
Dogos are a dog designed for hunting large game, they have a strong prey drive and are not recommended around cats they haven't been properly raised with. They are a people loving dog, they immensely enjoy and need the company of their owners and others, once accepted. I believe it is against their nature to be attack dog trained and they are not sold by this kennel for those purposes.
Dogos have a strong pack instinct and will naturally protect their family whom they love and consider part of their pack. They are courageous and will not be halted or swayed away from protecting by pain. .
Dogos are playful, eager to please and learn through a reward system. They are an intelligent and proud dog. They may sometimes need a firm hand. They may need to learn who is Alpha in the pack, (that would be you and your family).
I have taken in three different adult dogos with temperament problems. One couple called me and said they had this female dogo that was shy around strangers, would growl at anyone who came near, and would growl at the husband if he came in the room, and the dog especially hated men. They said the dog had to go, even if it was to a shelter. I told them to bring it by. The dog had been over disciplined with harsh obedience training and was afraid to even move. I decided to let the dog be a dog and most importantly taught the dog love. Later the couple got divorced and the man called me and asked how the dog was doing. I told him the dog no longer hated men, it was no longer shy, and it loved everyone. He came by to see the dog who once growled at him and she went up and licked his face. He was amazed, he had been wanting another dog, and so they lived happily ever after. The other dogs also adjusted and found new homes. The moral of the story is that these dogs need some understanding and most importantly that affection is a learned behavior and they do respond to it well.
Dogos will go out and hunt like a wild predator and come home and gently play with the children whom they dearly love. My dogos will tolerate ankle biting attacks from small dogs, but will definitely stand their ground if seriously threatened.
Dogos have different personalities, as do people. If you decide on a dogo, I would be glad to discuss individual dogs with you and help you decide which dog would be right for you.
