Argentine Dogo

The Argentine Dogo (or Argentinian Mastiff) is a large, white, muscular, and courageous dog that was developed in Argentina for big game hunting.

Appearance

The Argentine Dogo is a large, white, short-coated dog with a smooth, muscular body, displaying both power and athletic ability. The length of body is just slightly longer than tall, but bitches may be somewhat longer in body than dogs. The length of the front leg (measured from point of elbow to the ground) is approximately equal to one-half of the dog's height at the withers. The head is powerful with a broad, slightly domed skull and a powerful muzzle that is slightly higher at the nose than the stop, when viewed in profile. Ears may be cropped, or hang naturally, close to the skull. The relatively short tail is set low, thick at the base and tapers to a point. The Argentine Dogo should be evaluated as a hunting dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog's ability to work.

History

In the 1920s a man named Antonio Nores Martinez, who was not even 18 at the time, started developing a dog that would not only be a loveable pet, family guardian, but above all a superior hunting dog being capable of taking on big game such as wild boar, and even jaguars and cougars.

Antonio Nores Martinez picked the Fighting Dog of Cordoba to be the base for the breed. The Fighting Dog of Cordoba is extinct today but was described as a large and ferocious dog that was both a great hunter and fighter. It is believed that the Fighting Dog of Cordoba was developed from Spanish Mastiff, Bull Terrier, old English Bulldog, and early Boxer stock.

Fighting Dog of Cordoba as the base, he then crossed in Great Dane, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, old English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Great Pyrenees, Pointer, Irish Wolfhound, and Dogue de Bordeaux.

Antonio Nores Martinez kept improving the breed by doing selective breeding to introduce the traits that were desired. Finally the first standard for the breed was written in 1928.

Miscellaneous

Working

Argentine Dogos are very successful big game hunters and are very widely used today. Over the years the Argentine Dogo has proved itself to be a great working dog not only in hunting but also in tracking, guarding, general police work, narcotics detection, military, competitive obedience, Schutzhund, and even as seeing-eye dog.

Fighting

Dogfighters have quickly picked up on the dogs capability and Argentine Dogo has proven to be a fierce fighter as well. Blood sports such as dog fighting has been outlawed but those few individuals managed to ruined the dogs reputation in certain countries and Argentine Dogos are now banned in Australia and Great Britain.

Books about Argentine Dogo Dogs