A response to sound does not prove hearing in both ears
Louisiana State University explains that a dog deaf in one ear may appear to hear normally, making casual observation unreliable. When meeting a Dogo puppy, responding to your voice is therefore not a substitute for its own hearing assessment. Ask for the BAER report and have the tester or veterinarian explain the result for each ear. Match the identifying details to the puppy rather than accepting a litter-level assurance or a report for a parent. LSU’s BAER explanation describes testing each ear separately. This distinction is useful even when the puppy seems responsive and confident: the question is not simply whether it reacted, but what the documented examination found.[3]
Read the findings behind a CHIC number
The Dogo Argentino Club of America describes a CHIC profile involving hearing, hips and cardiac assessment plus an elective assessment or DNA repository participation. It also explicitly says that a CHIC number does not mean every result was normal. Use the number to locate and discuss the findings, not as a substitute for reading them. A practical record check is to place each report beside the dog’s permanent identification, date and result. Ask which elective was used and distinguish a stored research sample from a diagnostic result. These records inform a veterinary conversation; they cannot promise that a puppy will remain free of all future health problems.[2]
Picture an ordinary day with an 80–100-pound athlete
AKC describes a muscular dog developed for hunting large game. Before committing, consider how your household handles ordinary events: a visitor at the door, a busy walking route, transport to an appointment and care when the usual handler is unavailable. Agree on secure equipment and calm routines before those situations become urgent. Ask to observe suitable adults with experienced handlers, including how an outing ends and how the dog settles afterward. An impressive demonstration of power tells you little about whether you can sustain that daily arrangement. Likewise, a short coat simplifies some grooming tasks but does not answer the larger questions of handling, activity and supervision.[1]
Frequently asked questions
If a Dogo puppy responds to my voice, can it still be deaf in one ear?
Yes. LSU explains that unilateral deafness can be difficult to recognize from behavior. Request the individual BAER report rather than relying on a sound-response demonstration.
Source [1]Does a CHIC number mean all health results are normal?
No. The breed club explicitly distinguishes completing and publishing the required testing from receiving normal results. Read the underlying reports.
Source [2]Does BAER check each ear separately?
Yes. LSU’s explanation describes testing the ears individually and providing recorded results. Ask the tester or veterinarian to interpret the report for the particular dog.
Source [3]FAQ sources
- Louisiana State University — Genetics of Deafness in Dogs ↗FAQ reference 1
- Dogo Argentino Club of America — Health Programs ↗FAQ reference 2
- Louisiana State University — What is the BAER test? ↗FAQ reference 3
Sources & methodology
Breed-level measurements and comparison scores provide context. They do not predict an individual dog's health, behaviour or suitability. Open the original publisher pages below to verify the facts and compare any later updates.
- American Kennel Club — Dogo Argentino ↗Reference 1 · reviewed 2026-09-27
- Dogo Argentino Club of America — Health Programs ↗Reference 2 · reviewed 2026-09-27
- Louisiana State University — Genetics of Deafness in Dogs ↗Reference 3 · reviewed 2026-09-27
- Louisiana State University — What is the BAER test? ↗Reference 4 · reviewed 2026-09-27
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