There is a saying in Schutzhund that there are three phases of the sport; Obedience, Obedience, Obedience. While of course, the three phases are Tracking, Obedience, and Protection, the point of the statement is clear - without precise and disciplined obedience, no dog can excel in protection sport. I have observed and temperament tested litters and selected Dogo Argentinos for my kennel that are best suited for sport work: forward, engaging dogs with sound environmentals and a high level of drive for the breed. These are basic requirements for sport dogs; however, these traits are even more critical in a Dogo Argentino if you intend to work the dog in sport.
The dog must have a connection with their handler and genuine desire to want to be with them, while simultaneously possessing a strong level of independence. The breed can be notoriously hard headed, however a Dogo who is to be worked in sport must be able to handle fair corrections with a clear head without diminishing drives. Dog Sport requires several disciplines and controls in different phases. These skill sets will take years to train, test, an re-train. A dog without the drive and temperament for this level of obedience and control will not succeed.
While many excellent Dogo Argentinos are produced as working dogs, it does not necessarily make them ideal sport dogs. All my Dogs have seen the trial field, and have proven to have the learning capacity and drive required for sport work.
