I've hunted extensively with both Plott hounds and Dogo Argentinos, and, with all due respect to the author, there is no comparison; the Dogo Argentino is the far superior hunter.

I'm really disappointed that the author didn't even bother to mention the DA in his piece. It really is a marvel of modern breeding.

I did, however, appreciate the quotes from Cormac McCarthy, one of my favorite writers. Of course, his statements just proved what I've always said about him: he is a Tennessean, not a Texan. No Texan would prefer a Plott to a Dogo.

Being neither from Tennessee nor Texas or even Argentina, perhaps I can provide, at the least, a non-geographically biased opinion. There is little doubt the Dogos are highly specialized and extremely effective hunters. However, the reasons Dogos are not mentioned in this article may be many, the least of which being that this article was not about Dogos. It should also be noted that the other two dogs mentioned, the Beagle and the Pit Bull, were used in somewhat of a demeaning comparison—a likely outcome for the Dogo too, had it found its way into the article. The statement that “…there is no comparison; the Dogo Argentino is the far superior hunter” is both biased and unfounded. The Plott’s two hundred fifty-eight year history, steeped with tales and lore the likes of which the most vivid imaginations could not conceive, stands as testament to the versatility and superiority of the breed for hunting large game. These dogs are indeed the stuff of legends, by reputation and by performance. Plotts are not only accomplished hog hunters, but no other breed has the reputation for standing in the face of 500 lbs of incensed beast never giving an inch and never complaining about the consequences. Despite the reported tenacity and power of the Dogo, I have never heard of, or seen, one strike a three-day old trail from the hood of an old truck, run a bear for three days through the most execrable swamp, or hold a tree for a day and a half while ailing injuries that would kill an ordinary dog. Comparing the Dogo’s abilities to those of the Plott hound is like comparing an Olympic wrestler to and Olympic decathlete—it really makes no sense. I know one thing for sure, no matter what state you live in, or what biases you bring to the table, if you are headed to the woods for bear you better bring a pack of Plotts and leave the Dogos at home for use on easier prey on another day.

I felt it necessary to reply to the Dogo comment. With all due respect how much have you hunted sir? I can imagine from the lineage that a Dogo is vicious on game, but that game has to be located first right? I have had the pleasure of hunting with all types of breeds from hounds to curs and bulldogs over the years on all types of game and have yet to see a single dog that can keep up with a Plott on a trail. They simply run the other dogs into the ground. The Plott is the best dog for big-game for that reason alone. Sure a Dogo can fight a bear or a cat like a Plott, but can he find it like a Plott and cold trail for a couple days if he has to?- Not a chance. Superior instincts creates a superior dog and while the Dogo can obviously fight (its lineage is in fighting, not hunting), their instincts in the wood can not be compared to a Plott and its ability to trail, tree, and fight. A pack of Dogos is great on game as long as there is a cold-nosed Plott on the lead.

I have a book somewhere written by a Brasilian big game hunting guide whose family led jaguar hunts in the Amazon and Rio Parana regions for decades. They used dogs. I wonder if they used the Dogo because those jaguars would rip the daylights out of the dogs but the dogs would just keep going in against the big cat. Amazing animals...