The Dogo Guatemalteco is a molosser recognized only by the Asociación Canofila Guatemalteca – the first standard being published in 1972. It is known only in a few parts of the world – primarily in its home country of Guatemala where it is the only native breed, and has therefore been granted the title of the country’s national breed. This dog is the result of crossing the Bull Terrier, Boxer and Dalmatian in the late 1800’s and for a while was known as the Guatemalan Bull Terrier until the name was later changed. Despite a similar appearance to the Dogo Argentino, the two breeds are themselves not related although they do share a couple of ancestor breeds (Bull Terriers and Boxers). Of the two, the Guatemalan is actually an older breed. Like the Argentino, Guatemalans are usually primarily white although it is preferred for them to have markings of other colors on their face. Another physical difference is the tail, which is often (although not always) docked.
Guatemaltecos are known for being physically strong and agile. In terms of temperament, when raised correctly they should be sound-minded and stable although courageous when necessary. They are alert to, and cautious around, strangers and don’t tend to be overly friendly unless the person is a friend of the family/owner. This is a guard dog and a territorial one at that. They don’t generally tend to like strangers coming onto their properties. When it comes to their owners they are calm and affectionate – gladly obeying orders and tending to become very loyal dogs. Many are one-person dogs, becoming most bonded to the person they spend the most time with. In fact, they can be difficult to re-home if something ends up happening and they can no longer stay with their original owner/s.
Dogo Guatemaltecos are medium in height but have a sturdy, muscular build making them powerful dogs. This, combined with their serious temperament means that they are not a breed for the novice owner! With poor management they can become aggressive, which means they need an experienced owner who is prepared to “run a tight ship” at home. The breed must receive obedience training from a young age and live in a household where everyday rules are enforced. Without this structure they can be prone to putting themselves in the head position of the house, which can be a dangerous situation. Take note that training may be a slow process as they are a stubborn breed.
The Guatemalteco has a smooth, harsh coat that does require some regular grooming. They shed heavily which means they will need to be brushed a minimum of once a week, if not even several times a week. While some breeds shed more frequently at only certain seasons, the Guatemalan tends to shed heavily year-round. Nails should be groomed weekly and baths given occasionally (too much bathing or the use of cheap shampoo can exacerbate skin allergy issues). This is also a drooling breed which means keeping towels handy around the house will help an owner clean up drool before it ends up on furniture and floors! In terms of physical care, the Guatemalan Dogo has a medium activity level and requires regular exercise on-lead – 45 minutes to an hour each day should be sufficient. When at home he needs a securely fenced yard to keep him on the property while he roams and patrols.
While the primary purpose of the Dogo Guatemalteco was that of guard dog, he was unfortunately also used in dog fighting. This means that many cannot be trusted with other dogs regardless of how long they have known each other. It goes without saying this breed will probably not do well in a dog park situation! On the other hand, Guatemalans can live in families with children if they are raised with them and as long as the parents are experienced with guarding breeds. While not a dog for a novice, they can be loyal guardians for the right knowledgeable owner.
