We believe Duke is a purebred Dogo Argentino, also known as an Argentine Mastiff. A somewhat rare breed in this country, they are quite popular in their homeland where they do everything from guarding sheep or cattle, hunting big game, to guarding and playing with the family’s children as treasured house pets! Duke should grow up to be a very big boy, somewhere in the neighborhood of 110 lbs, the breed standard for an average adult male.

Someone whom we believe to be an irresponsible backyard breeder abandoned little Duke in a high-kill shelter when he was only about six weeks old because he had Parvo, rather than provide medical care. His little ears were still red and raw from the barbaric clip they had already received, way too short and probably with a pair of scissors. This heartless procedure was likely performed without anesthesia of any kind. We couldn’t let this sweet little baby die all alone so we swooped in to rescue him and got him the medical care he so desperately needed to survive.

Now healthy and happy, Duke is being cared for in one of our most experienced foster homes where he’s being socialized with dogs of all sizes (from a Chihuahua to a 100-lb German Shepherd) and ages, as well as people including adults, children, family, friends, trades people, and domestic workers. So far, Duke hasn’t met a person or a dog he doesn’t want to be his best friend. He’s growing fast and currently weighs 21 lbs at only 12 weeks!

A very smart boy, Duke already knows how to sit and go for a walk on a leash. He’s doing extremely well on his potty training (almost no accidents), and sleeps straight through the night in his crate. Of course, he IS a teething puppy and likes to chew on everything, so he’s being provided with lots of chew toys and shown what’s okay and what’s NOT okay to chew on. He learns VERY fast. Little Duke is such a sweet little boy; he’ll make some lucky family a great friend and protector!