Creation of the Argentine Dogo

In the 1920's, in the province of Cordoba, in the central region of Argentina, Dr. Antonio Norez Martinez started to create a new breed of dog. A breed intended for not only being a pet and family guardian, but also a hunting dog for big game.

Dr. Martinez started with a dog similar to the mastiff called Dog of Cordoba, an old fighting dog which was very strong and vigorous. He then added the Boxer, Bulldog, Great Dane, Spanish Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Great Pyrenees, Irish Wolfhound, Pointer and Dogue de Bordeaux.

Each of these breeds contributed a trait to the new breed. From the Boxer he got vivacity and gentleness, the Bulldog gave it an ample chest and boldness, He got size from the Great Dane. The Spanish Mastiff gave its power, he received fearlessness from the Bull Terrier, a white coat from the great Pyrenees, and the Irish Wolfhound gave its instinct as a hunter. The Pointed gave its keen sense of smell and the Dogue de Bordeaux, its powerful jaws.

His result was the Argentine Dogo. Not only was the breed a family guardian and big game hunter, but has also been successful as a guide dog and in police and military work. Dr. Martinez created a fearless hunter and bullish breed with great stamina.

In Argentina, large packs of Dogos were used for hunting wild boar weighing anywhere between 400 and 450 pounds. Not only are the boars highly aggressive, they are fast and very powerful, making it hard to hunt and kill them.

Instantly people who organize dog fights were attracted to the Dogo. They are sought after for fighting because of there strength and willingness to continue fighting regardless of injuries sustained.

Dog fighting is still popular in many parts of South American and elsewhere. In Britain this gave the breed a bad reputation. The Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) specifies that three breeds are completely banned, the Fila Brazileiro, Japanese Tosa and the Argentine Dogo.

The Argentine Dogo has many talents, a few of then include hunting, tracking, guarding, police work, military work, watch dogging, narcotics detection, schutzhund and competitive obedience.

The Dogo is capable of burst of speed, but is best at covering long distances at a gallop. They are very intelligent, good natured and friendly. Dogos are loyal, playful and affectionate with their families. They are very tolerant of children, due to their hight pain tolerance.

They are excellent protectors of what they feel is their territory and will guard it without fear. If the Dogo feels that its owner is in danger, it will place himself between his owner and the danger.

The Argentine Dogo loves to be close to his people and craves their attention. They will not only lay at your feet, they will lay on your feet. Not only are they good family pets, but they are also good with other pets that they have been raised with since they were puppies.

The Dogo is easy to train, as long as they are started young. they need early socializing with other animals, and obedience training. They must be trained with patience, persistence, and very consistent. They are also easily house trained.

This breed will do okay in an apartment, as long as it gets plenty of exercise, however they do best with at least an average sized yard. Daily long walks would be great for them. When the temperature drops below freezing it is best to bring the Dogo, in from the cold, unless there is sufficient shelter.

The Dogo is a large muscular, yet graceful dog, weighing between 80 and 100 pounds and has a height between 24 and 27 inches. They are a slow maturing breed, and males are not full grown until around three years of age. Females mature faster, by the age of two they have reached full maturity.

The coat of the Dogo is short, but thick, glossy, and very soft, however there is no undercoat. Brushing one a week, and using gentile shampoos, or those made for white fur, will keep the coat and skin in good condition. Their nails tend to grow rather fast and need frequent cutting.

The Dogo's skin is more sensitive than colored breeds, because of their white hair. Shade should always be available, whenever the Dogo is outside, so as not to sunburn.

Due to the careful work of Nores Martinez brothers, the Dogo does not have any serious health issues. However, one genetic fault that comes along with having a white coat, is deafness. The average life expectancy for the Dogo is between 10 and 12 years.

The Cinologic Federation of Argentina and the Argentina Rural Society recognized the Dogo in 1964. On July 31, 1973 the FCI accepted the breed as the first and only Argentinean breed. In 1985 the Dogo Argentino Club of America (DACA) was founded.

sources:

barkbytes.com

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

dogo.org

dogbreedinfo.com

akc.org