Dogo Argentino Pricing

[biguns]

For a couple of years I have been trying to understand why Dogo Argentino catch dogs are priced two to three times as much as other catch dogs. I've seen Dogos, Pitts, Americans and various crosses all used effectively as catch dogs. I haven't seen the Dogos do anything the others can't do.

As best I can tell, Dogo pricing is purely a function of the effect of the somewhat exotic name mixed with brand psychology. I could be wrong (which is why I'm posting here), but experience is difficult to argue against. Do others have educated views on the subject?

[bignasty]

 

[charles]

It all depends on product availability and the demand for the product. Them dogs are being priced just like them wrights bred curs are from some sellers. Some folks think bc they paid 2500 for a dog, that other will too, which they r right, plus the high price keeps the rif raf from polluting and diluting the dogo as they did with other good line. It's a cross between highway robbery and lineage protection.

[biguns]

Thanks, Charles. The rif-raf and supply combination occurred to me, but after thinking about it, I decided that practical value would outweigh such factors for nearly all buyers. It certainly does for me. After all, there are hard catching lines of Pitts, Americans, etc. that breed true and aren't too difficult to find. I'm therefore more inclined to go with the psychological factors that create the market environment for highway robbery.

[charles]

Practical value, no. Some folks sell them wright bred curs for 1000-2000 n folks pay it. No different with the dogo or coon dogs or bird dogs. As long as their is a demand, there will b those that jump on that to financialy rape people for a pup, but its also buyers who continue to kerp the demand up.

[biguns]

I don't know about bird dogs, but the high dollar coondog market is driven by competition hunters willing to pay for the odds of obtaining a winning dog, which can be backed up by the seller pointing to actual competition wins (however relative the value of the "wins" may be). Names certainly play a big role in that market. After all, that's how we designate certain lines. Even there, however, pup prices are pretty close and consistent.

But the Dogo deal is different: I know of no practical measure that a Dogo seller can point to and say, "That's why my started Dogo is worth $1000 even though you can buy a more than serviceable, fully trained catch dog for half the price or less." One guy told me Dogos can catch mountain lions and other "dangerous game." When I asked for some proof, he was miffed.

[charles]

There are hunting comps for the dogo and according to several googled dogo links, the info was they are used to catch jags n hogs n other game in the south american jungle. Some on this forum use nothing but dogos for both find/bay/catch dogs. Occasionaly pits can find/bay/catch, but most are strictly catch dogs whereas the dogo is more than an over priced catch dog, they r an all around hunting dog.

[biguns]

If there is empirical evidence of Dogos catching, as opposed to "hunting" or "baying," jaguars and the like, I'd like to see it. I too  have seen reports of Dogos used to "hunt" such game, but I have never seen a Dogo actually used to literally catch big cats. There are plenty of hounds, curs and crosses that "hunt" big game. You can buy pups from proven lines of such dogs for $200-$300.

[Judge peel]

I don't see the big deal if guys want to pay those prices so be it they couldn't buy my pit for that

[biguns]

Obviously anyone can pay how much they want for whatever they want. In terms of hunting dog economics, however, there is generally a strong correlation between price and practical value. With this in mind, I'm asking why the relatively high price for Dogos in the absence of a practical benefit gained for the higher price.

I would argue the contention that Dogos can hunt and catch doesn't change much of anything. There are many dogs that can follow a hot track and catch too. That's the general definition of a running catch dog. One may counter that Dogos can catch better than other running catch dogs. If that is true, where is the proof? Further, even a limited understanding of canine genetics renders the proposition that molosser Dogos can track as well as cur or hound running catch dogs doubtful at best, making the improved catching ability a trade off for decreased tracking acumen. This puts us right back where we were in our consideration of the price.

[Judge peel]

I get your drift there are a big pile of dogs that can do what a dogo can do but they might not have the hold power of a dogo. I have only hunted with one and he does good but as far as a return in a money relative term  I would say a cur of sorts rcd would be more cost effective. 1500 to 2500 a pup will keep me from getting one

[Gun Bullety]

Dogos cost a lot because they are a purebreed and aren't supposed to be hunted, they're supposed to be bred to other pure dogos and you quickly get your money back off of dogo argentino enthusiasts ( as opposed to hunters).

Proper hunting dogs are ofcourse cheap as dirt because the understanding is they'll probably get killed. That is unless they're a proven adult working dog that has already survived hunting many many times, then they are, for good reason, expensive.

Not sure why you would want to hunt with a recognised breed, by definition it is a show dog, and yes sacrificing show dogs to boars is a very expensive exercise.

[Scott]

Dogos cost a lot because they are a purebreed and aren't supposed to be hunted, they're supposed to be bred to other pure dogos and you quickly get your money back off of dogo argentino enthusiasts ( as opposed to hunters).

Proper hunting dogs are ofcourse cheap as dirt because the understanding is they'll probably get killed. That is unless they're a proven adult working dog that has already survived hunting many many times, then they are, for good reason, expensive.

Not sure why you would want to hunt with a recognised breed, by definition it is a show dog, and yes sacrificing show dogs to boars is a very expensive exercise.

So, then you do not consider American Bulldogs, APBTs, Plotts, BMC, Catahoula, etc. recognized breeds?

[WayOutWest]

I don't know if he does but the AKC doesn't recognize those breeds.

[charles]

And where did u get the definition of a dogo as a show dog? Everything iv found online about the dogo, they were bred for hunting, not show. There are many pure bred lines out there that are used in some form of hunting, be it hogs, deer (where legal), coons, birds, lions, so pure breds are not only bred for show, but hunting too. I think ur reaching saying dogs are only for show, and some on this forum would call bs on them being only for show

[kerreydw]

If I'm not mistaken certain mountain lion dogs have fetched 10,000 plus so whats the big deal about hunting with a 2500  dogo. I've used my do go bitch for a catch dog its a big chance but when I first got her I wanted to make sure she was the real deal. I'm not about to bread a white dogo just to say I have a dogo

[Shotgun wg]

In my opinion the price is due to availability and the brand. Every swinging Johnson has a pit. To some of the folks running Dogos are using it as a status symbol of sorts. Others see the chance to make a dollar. Just as a peterbilt and a frieghtliner will haul a load the Pete has a higher status and cool factor as well as price tag. I feel as the dogo becomes more readily available the price will drop. Simply because of market saturation and lower numbers of people willing to pay the price. Once folks start getting stuck with pups they will sell the next batch for less.


Shotgun
Arkansas

[S_J_KENNELS]

A lot of the dogos are going towards show etc... Pricing is relative to a lot of things that other breeds don't do per say. Such as BAER testing, OFA hip certs, registration costs, and other expenses that folks charge for added in. The breed is now acknowledged by the AKC under misc breeds. I have seen pups go from $1,500 to as high as $5,000 a pup and these were for both pets and show dogs not hunting. Most hunting dogos with papers go from $1,500 to $2,000 non registered from $4-600 +/-.

I went to dogos from my bulldogs due to size, stamina, and ability that I liked. I got tired of 30-60 pound earrings and wanted something taller and faster. A good well bred dogo can out perform most pits and bulldogs. An more so in long distance bays where their stamina and speed prevail.

The problem is getting dogs from good proven lines as they are going the way of the ridgeback, GSD, and other once great breeds. Too many show and pet owners/breeders and not enough hunting breeders. Plus folks crossing with other breeds and calling them dogos.

[williamsld]

I've had pits  ab and dogos as catch dogs they've all been real great catch dogs not much difference in them but I prefer my dogo, it's more of a personal preference than anything cause I like to have a big athletic CD, but I agree the price is way too high if you can find an unregistered dogo you can get a lot better deal on one that's what I did for my male I have now I got him for about 250

I think that the main reason people sell them for so much is because it's became a really popular breed and they can make a quick buck of them

[S_J_KENNELS]

I've had pits  ab and dogos as catch dogs they've all been real great catch dogs not much difference in them but I prefer my dogo, it's more of a personal preference than anything cause I like to have a big athletic CD, but I agree the price is way too high if you can find an unregistered dogo you can get a lot better deal on one that's what I did for my male I have now I got him for about 250

I think that the main reason people sell them for so much is because it's became a really popular breed and they can make a quick buck of them

you got a deal then as most non registered start at $400 and go up. Unless crossed or something. Just saying from a long time of experience with the bred LOL.