Dogo Argentino

The Dogo Argentino is a large, white, muscular breed of dog that was developed in Argentina primarily for the purpose of big-game hunting, including wild boar.[2][3] The breeder, Antonio Nores Martínez, also wanted a dog that would exhibit steadfast bravery and willingly protect its human companion. It was first bred in 1928 from the Cordoba Dog, along with a wide array of other breeds, including the Great Dane.[2][3]

Argentine Dogo
Other namesArgentine Dogo
Common nicknamesDogo
OriginArgentina
Foundation stockCordoba Dog
Great Dane
Boxer
Spanish Mastiff
Bulldog
Bull Terrier
Pyrenean Mastiff
English Pointer
Irish Wolfhound
Dogue de Bordeaux
Traits
Weight Male 40–45 kg (88–99 lb)[1]
Female 35–40 kg (77–88 lb)[1]
Height Male 60–68 cm (24–27 in)
Female 60–65 cm (24–26 in)
Coat Short
Colour White
Kennel club standards
FCA standard
FCI standard
Dog (domestic dog)

Appearance

The Argentine Dogo is a large white short-coated dog with black spots on its skin and has a muscular and strong body that rarely has any markings on its coat (any type of marking or spot on the coat is considered a flaw).[4] While it is not accepted in many of the clubs, a Dogo Argentino can have a black or brindle spot on its head known as a 'pirata' and this is accepted by the Federación Cinológica Argentina.[3]

Argentine Dogo showing

Breed Standard Height: for females is 60–65 centimetres (24–26 inches) and for males is 60–68 centimetres (24–27 inches), measured at the withers.[2] Weight: from 40–45 kilograms (88–99 pounds).[2] The length of the body is just slightly longer than the height. 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 has a broad, slightly domed skull and the muzzle is slightly higher at the nose than the stop, when viewed in profile. The tail is set low, thick at the base and tapers to a point.

It has been described as looking similar to the American Bulldog, but very tall with a solid white coat. The breed has also been described as looking similar to the American Pit Bull Terrier, even though the American Pit Bull Terrier is far smaller (13.5 to 27 kilograms).[5]

History
Cordoba Dog

In 1928, Antonio Nores Martinez, a medical doctor, professor and surgeon, set out to breed a big game hunting dog that was also capable of being a loyal pet and guard dog. Antonio Martinez picked the Cordoba Dog to be the base for the breed.[6] This breed is extinct today, but it was said that as a large and ferocious dog, it was a great hunter. Martinez crossed it with the Great Dane, Boxer, Spanish Mastiff, Old English Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Pyrenean Mastiff, English Pointer, Irish Wolfhound and Dogue de Bordeaux.[6] Nores Martinez continued to develop the breed via selective breeding to introduce the desired traits.

In 1970 Dr. Raul Zeballos brought the first six specimens of Argentine Dogo to the United States.

Temperament

Dogos are big-game hunters and are also trained for search and rescue, police assistance, service dogs, guide for the blind, competitive obedience, Schutzhund and military work.[4]

The Dogo is an intelligent and courageous dog with a strong, natural instinct to protect its home and family. Dogos are very social dogs and are happiest when included in all family activities. Dogos make a strong distinction between familiar people and strangers, so it is imperative that they be well trained and socialized at an early age.

Dogos are hunters of great courage and endurance, and will work individually or in packs. They have also successfully been used in police protection work. An unsteady temperament is a serious fault. {UKC Breed Standard} The Dogo has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.[7]

An Argentine Dogo with uncropped ears

Health

As in the Dalmatian, white Boxer, and white Bull Terrier, the Dogo may experience pigment-related deafness. There is possibility of an approximate 10% deafness rate overall with some Dogos afflicted uniaurally (one deaf ear) and some binaurally (deaf in both ears). Studies have shown that the incidence of deafness is drastically reduced when the only breeding stock used is that with bilaterally normal hearing. OFA health testing should be done on all breeding stock to ensure that there are no evident signs of hip dysplasia.[8][9][10]

Hunting and legality

While the Argentine Dogo was bred primarily from the extinct Cordoba Dog, it was bred to be a cooperative hunter, i.e. to accompany other catch dogs and bay dogs on the hunt without fighting with the other dogs.

The Argentine Dogo is banned, or has ownership restrictions, in certain countries, including the Cayman Islands, Denmark, Fiji,[11] Iceland, Australia,[12] New Zealand, Singapore, Turkey, and Ukraine. In the United Kingdom, under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is illegal to own a Dogo Argentino without lawful authority.

AKC recognition

On 1 January 2011 the AKC accepted the Argentine Dogo into their miscellaneous class to allow the process of full recognition to begin. The official AKC parent club, Dogo Argentino Club of America worked with the AKC to achieve full AKC recognition. On 1 January 2020 the AKC recognized the Dogo Argentino allowing it to compete in the Working Group.[13] There are now 195 dog breeds recognized by the AKC.

See also

References
  1. "Dogo Argentino | Dog Breed Facts and Information – Wag! Dog Walking". WagWalking.
  2. "Dogo Argentino" (PDF). Federation Cynologique Internationale. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  3. "Dogo Argentino Dog Breed Information and Pictures". dogbreedinfo.com. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  4. Rice, Dan (1 March 2001). Big Dog Breeds. Barron's Educational Series. pp. 152–153. ISBN 978-0-7641-1649-0. Retrieved 15 February 2010. Dogo Argentino.
  5. Stahlkuppe, Joe (1 April 2000). American Pit Bull Terrier Handbook. Barron's Educational Series. p. 19. ISBN 978-0-7641-1233-1.
  6. Marien-de Luca, Catherine. "Dogo Argentino blood lines".
  7. "Dogo Argentino". United Canine Association.
  8. Strain, G. M. (1993). "Deafness assessment services by means of the brainstem auditory-evoked response". Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 7 (2): 104–5. PMID 8501696.
  9. Cargill, E. J.; Famula, T. R.; Strain STOP IT; Murphy, K. E. (2004). "Heritability and segregation analysis of deafness in U.S. Dalmatians". Genetics. 166 (3): 1385–93. doi:10.1534/genetics.166.3.1385. PMC 1470800. PMID 15082557.
  10. Strain, G. M. (1992). "Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in veterinary medicine". British Veterinary Journal. 148 (4): 275–8. doi:10.1016/0007-1935(92)90080-K. PMID 1498641.
  11. "Fiji Pet Passport Regulations". Pet Travel, Inc. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  12. "Australia Banned Breeds". Starwood Animal Transport.
  13. Dec 31, Ranny Green; Dec 31, 2019 | 4 Minutes; Minutes, 2019 | 4. "Meet the Dogo Argentino Dog Breed". American Kennel Club.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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