Bred originally as a fighting dog, the Dogo Argentino comes from Argentina, and it’s also there where it was discovered that it could be one of the best hunting dogs there are.
The Dogo Argentino is a strong, muscular, and fascinating dog, but it’s also one with a complicated history. People have abused the dog, used it as a fighting dog so long that it became illegal to own in many places, including places right here in North America.
So, are Dogo Argentino legal in the US? Dogo Argentinos are legal in all of the US with the exception of New York City, Colorado, and Aurora where they are banned and considered dangerous dog breeds. There is no federal ban on the Dogo Argentino in the US, but some counties and cities still ban them, so always check out the local laws.
The laws of owning a Dogo Argentino can be quite confusing and complicated, so if you are thinking of getting one, you really need to know what you are in for to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
So, let’s explore where is the Dogo Argentino allowed, banned, and why there is so much controversy about the dog.
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Is Dogo Argentino Legal in the US?
There is no federal ban on owning Dogo Argentinos in the US, so you are free to own a Dogo Argentino in the US as long as the local laws allow it.
However, it is completely illegal to own a Dogo Argentino if you are planning on using it as a fighting dog. Other than that, lawmakers have no reason to ban the breed.
In some states, lawmakers have been trying to ban the Dogo Argentino from being owned completely because it is used as a fighting dog.
So far, there are no federal laws that say you cannot own a Dogo Argentino in the US even if your state or city has banned them. The breed is not considered dangerous enough to be on the list of banned dog breeds, but that can change in the future.
Where Are Dogo Argentino Legal?
Dogo Argentinos are legal for people to own as long as they abide by local laws and have their Dogo registered with authorities.
The breed is not considered dangerous enough so it cannot be added to a list of banned dog breeds, but that can change.
As for where you are allowed to own a Dogo Argentino if your state or city has not yet restricted the breed, there is no federal law about it either way. It’s up to local authorities whether they allow owning one in their area or not. The laws vary from place to place.
Some places where Dogo Argentinos are legal include:
- Chicago
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii (only if you have a permit)
- Idaho (if it’s registered with the county)
- Illinois (with restrictions on size and weight when fully grown)
- Indiana (registered as dangerous by local authorities; can’t be used as a fighting dog)
- Iowa (registered as dangerous by local authorities; can’t be used as a fighting dog)
- Kentucky
- Louisiana (if registered with the parish and has an owner identification tattoo)
- Maine
- Maryland (must register for ownership first and pay fees to do so; punishable on second offense by fine of $1000 or more depending on previous offenses; if you violate this, your dog must be destroyed),
- Massachusetts (must be registered with the city or town where it lives; only allowed to own one by law)
- Michigan (registered as dangerous by local authorities; can’t be used as a fighting dog)
- Minnesota (if registered with the county and has an owner identification tattoo)
- Missouri
- Nebraska.
What states have banned the Dogo Argentino?
The only states that have a ban on the Dogo Argentino are New York, Aurora, and Colorado.
Why is the Dogo Argentino Illegal?
The US states and countries where the Dogo Argentino is illegal to own consider the breed to be a dangerous dog to inexperienced owners or that the dog poses a threat to the local community or is being used commonly as a fighting dog.
It should be noted that the Dogo Argentino is not a dangerous or aggressive dog on his own, as with any other dog breed, and it is the fault of the humans that own and train the dogs.
To learn how strong the Dogo Argentino is, check out this article on Dogo Argentino VS wolves.
Is Dogo Argentinos Legal in the UK?
The Dogo Argentino is illegal to own in the UK along with other breeds including the Pitbull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, and the Fila Brasileiro.
Which countries have banned the Dogo Argentino?
In certain countries, such as the Cayman Islands, Denmark, Norway, Fiji, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Turkey, the Argentine Dogo is prohibited or has ownership restrictions. It is unlawful to possess a Dogo Argentino without valid authorization in the United Kingdom under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.
Is the Dogo Argentino Legal in Texas?
The Dogo Argentino is legal to own in Texas as long as you abide by all local laws and registrations for owning a Dogo Argentino.
Is the Dogo Argentino Legal in California?
The Dogo Argentinos are legal to own in California as long as you abide by all local laws and registrations for owning a Dogo Argentino.
Are Dogo Argentino Pitbulls?
The Dogo Argentino and the American Pitbull Terrier are virtually identical in appearance, with the Dogo Argentino being frequently mistaken for an APBT. When comparing the Dogo Argentino to the Pitbull, there are certain distinctions and similarities to consider.
The APBT is much more sociable with strangers than the Dogo Argentino, who is naturally more defensive of his property and has a strong prey instinct.
If you’re a first-time dog owner, the Dogo Argentino is not a good choice as your first pup since the APBT is better suited to you. Otherwise, both of these dogs are fantastic options for people with enough money and time to devote to them.
To learn more about these two beautiful dogs, check out this Dogo Argentino vs Pitbulls comparison here.
Helpful Resources
Dogo Argentino Breed Information
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